Cryptic Crossword - The Scotsman

ACROSS

1 Make oneself scarce by leaving the carriageway (3,3,2,3,4)

9 Ends up with new cart having to take precedence (9)

10 Starting out, patient is under medical drug (5)

11 Insist on old performance, to be precise (5)

12 Opponent got across with canvas left out (9)

13 Find stock of cards in the hospital, one day (5)

15 Suggesting that lending money might be a way of going forward (9)

17 Can take right route to becoming a story-teller (9)

19 Go downhill in the long recess (5)

21 Did a treacherous gangster tell a lie? (9)

23 Cross into empty station, causing alarm (5)

24 Duke about to open gardens with square grounds (5)

25 Conscious of feeling irritable (9)

26 Spoilt everything by taking the wrong step (3,4,4,2,2)

DOWN

1 For example, over time gambler might improve (3,6)

2 Be confined to work in adversity (7)

3 Freak out at well-informed group (5)

4 Work for a long time on musical entertainment (5)

5 Comes through, even though voters die out (5,4)

6 After the final resolution, a lecturer may be highly strung (9)

7 Get round outfit with French friend, working on paper (7)

8 Scheduled to come back to resign (5)

14 Although not out, new man is out of favour (3-6)

15 Locals might have to drink heavy before taking old exercises (3-6)

16 Would gent rebel over protected area? (5,4)

18 Prayer on pass to the French court (7)

20 Left one working at allotment (7)

21 Was a US agent in revolt when annoyed? (3,2)

22 Clamour to leave with a wild animal (5)

23 Cut corners to share work (5)