Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 22/01/2015

ACROSS

1 Excellent boss in control across the board (11)

9 Steer clear of a worthless empty space (5)

10 A senior officer left out a note to start the ball rolling (8)

12 It’s not vile, but could turn out to be impetuous (7)

13 Prisoner had to try to compete (7)

14 Appears to see small glances at watches (5)

15 Can go along with it, at first, if appropriate (9)

18 Teacher trained to get on track, in spite of bad faith (9)

20 Find some poison emanating from a coven, ominously (5)

21 In the future, get along on the side (7)

24 In traditional learning, the French had one river siren (7)

25 Not just out of order, not complete off line (8)

26 Speak at length at a funeral, or at wake, finally (5)

27 Lies about in port, to get disturbed by a noisy ghost (11)

DOWN

2 May have to line up again to get compensation (7)

3 Arrange for engineer to reach an agreement (9)

4 Put staff in charge; they may be all worked-up (5)

5 Unusual way to put things in order (7)

6 Intend to pay up, but not at first (5)

7 Sell a vital old preparation as smelling salts (3,8)

8 Drone on (or hum) at the same pitch (8)

11 Marines led off on time when modernised (11)

16 Was prince, or duke, depressed and off colour? (5,4)

17 Rely on advance of money provided on credit ... (4,4)

19 ... and one turned to credit, in short, to design a head-dress (7)

20 Many divers can be quite distinct (7)

22 Find a trunk in the director’s office (5)

23 Lawyer provided European rights, initially, for a long-term prisoner (5)

Wednesday’s solution

Grid 15: Across: 1 Theology, 5 Useful, 9 Ambrosia, 10 Arctic, 12 Gaucho, 13 Excel, 16 Nordic, 17 Isotherm, 20 Howitzer, 21 Prison, 23 Madam, 25 Torque, 28 Unruly, 29 Majestic, 30 Heyday, 31 Chitchat.

Down: 1 Teal, 2 Elbe, 3 Look a gift, 4 Glitch, 6 Serve, 7 Feta cheese, 8 Loch Lomond, 11 Horse, 14 In the mouth, 15 Crown Derby, 18 Turbulent, 19 Petty, 22 Wreath, 24 Malta, 26 Utah, 27 Scat.