Factfinder’s crossword - The Scotsman 23/02/13

This week’s prize: a copy of Blood Sisters by Sarah Gristwood, courtesy of Blackwell’s, plus a Collins English Dictionary Concise Edition to the first correct entry opened at random. Entries must be received by Thursday. Cut out the crossword panel and send to: Factfinder’s Crossword, Promotions Department, The Scotsman, PO Box 1027, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS.

Across

1 A composite plant (Calendula) or its orange-yellow flower (8)

5 Mediterranean island (554 sq miles; pop about 170,000), ceded to Greece in 1947 (6)

9 The end of the world in Scandinavian mythology (8)

10 A small extinct wild horse of the steppes (6)

12 Six-winged celestial being (6)

13 Southern European capital city (pop about 180,000), founded as a Roman colony in 78BC (5)

16 AJ __ (1896-1981), Cardross-born novelist who wrote The Citadel (1937) (6)

17 Three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades in Greek mythology (8)

20 A mean-spirited wretch, or renegade (8)

21 Jane __ (1775-1817), Hampshire-born novelist who wrote Mansfield Park (1814)

23 Old Scottish silver coins worth 13s 4d (5)

25 Highland town, the birthplace of William Smith, founder of the Boys’ Brigade (6)

28 East African country (91,136 sq miles; pop about 36 million), independent since 1962 (6)

29 Branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being (8)

30 Edible entrails, especially of a pig (6)

31 Relating to a Swiss city (pop about 190,000), where the Red Cross and WHO are based (8)

Down

1 Sir Thomas __ (1478-1535), lawyer, author and statesman who was Lord Chancellor of England (1529-32) (4)

2 A traditional Hindu musical form (4)

3 The bush telegraph (9)

4 Tropical plant of the gourd family (6)

6 A cluster of five stars in the constellation of the Bull (5)

7 A black elastic substance found in peat beds (10)

8 Making more acceptable by removing offensive elements, words etc (10)

11 Martin __ (b 1940), US actor who starred in Badlands (1973) (5)

14 A bragging, cowardly buffoon (10)

15 Pacts, especially between the Pope and secular governments (10)

18 Hydrated copper sulphate (9)

19 The curved handle or shaft of a scythe (5)

22 Fragrant, acid fruit, good for making jellies etc (6)

24 A grasslike plant, growing typically in wet ground (5)

26 Southern European capital city (pop about 3 million), founded in 753BC (4)

27 The longest sea loch in Scotland (40 miles) (4)

Last week’s solution:

Across: 1 Kilwinning, 6 Mons, 10 Largactil, 11 Rille, 12 Isaiah, 13 Ishmael, 15 Andantino, 18 Spica, 19 Kanal, 21 Ocellated, 23 Oceanus, 24 Tisane, 27 Loire, 28 Dalmatian, 29 Duns, 30 Escapement.

Down: 1 Kelt, 2 Large, 3 Italian, 4 Notch, 5 Nullipore, 7 Orleanist, 8 Steelyards, 9 Brahms, 14 Bankrolled, 16 Dandelion, 17 Ironsides, 20 Linnet, 22 Lastage, 24 Tulsa, 25 Noise, 26 Unst.

Winner: John Laurie, Glasgow