Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 28/11/2012

ACROSS

1 Seek a man out, he has another’s title (8)

5 Leading clansman in tartan not easily disturbed (6)

10 False topaz, item found in chromium in the east (7)

11 Very small talking clock, Dickensian (4,3)

12 A southern bird becomes pale (5)

13 Hotelier in north with footballer (9)

14 Performer, one taking in variety of words first (5-9)

17 Bus programme? (7,7)

21 Advantage of benefit we can’t all have (9)

23 Super newspaper edition (5)

24 French painter’s entrance (7)

25 Spy coming from cyberspace upset the lady (7)

26 Ring yours truly with info first about set of chromosomes (6)

27 Wild Greg wildly twisted and turned (8)

DOWN

1 Dreadful trance caused by drink (6)

2 Disciple attending the gathering in Malawi (7)

3 Thin old wife had tight-fitting sweater (6-3)

4 Part of castle during intermission is to be held in atmosphere of excited uncertainty (4,2,8)

6 Look, top has come off weapon (5)

7 Felix’s not very good, say, he’s been tricked by another (4-3)

8 A dreamer ordering rum (8)

9 Usual speculator hesitantly becomes leader of a cause (8-6)

15 Untidy little creature? (9)

16 Linking most of fruit dish with fish (8)

18 Electric tool or pointed weapon (4,3)

19 Illusion of sight (7)

20 Has, we hear, a way by accident (6)

22 Posterior part of one distraught mule (5)

Tuesday’s solution

Across: 1 Pleasure trip, 9 Old blue, 10 Tadpole, 11 Stir, 12 Melas, 13 Boot, 16 Angelus, 17 Trigger, 18 Light up, 21 Benefit, 23 Roup, 24 Smile, 25 Mice, 28 Combine, 29 Inhabit, 30 The big dipper.

Down: 2 Lodging, 3 Ally, 4 Useless, 5 Entrant, 6 Rode, 7 Prolong, 8 Beat a retreat, 9 Obstacle race, 14 Slate, 15 Fiend, 19 Gourmet, 20 Pompeii, 21 Bullied, 22 Frisbee, 26 Bice, 27 Chap