Comedy masterclass

Comedy masterclass

US energy expert Dan Reicher displayed the kind of wit which will no doubt have served him well as adviser to no fewer than three American presidents.

Mr Reicher, in Glasgow to deliver a masterclass on low carbon technologies hosted by The Herald and Scottish Enterprise, reflected on how much he enjoyed the company of First Minister Alex Salmond at an event the night before.

Telling the audience that he and Mr Salmond had enjoyed a far-reaching conversation, taking in whisky, midges, Bute House, Edinburgh Castle and how to pronounce Drambuie correctly, Mr Reicher wryly observed the First Minister had surprised him by having "no strong opinions about independence".

He added: "That's all I'm going to say on that subject."

Questions, questions

THE House of Lords inquiry into public inquiries is due to conclude with publication of its report next week. The Bottom Line would like to be first to demand an inquiry into this inquiry into inquiries.

Happy farmers

DEVRO chief executive Peter Page conjured a wistful, pastoral image as he elaborated this week on the reasons for the price of pork meat reaching an all-time high in the UK.

In a results call for the firm's full-year results, Mr Page said pig prices had risen following the horsemeat scandal, which had led to an increase in demand from sausage manufacturers and retailers from "100% UK-sourced pork meat".

"I guess there are some pretty happy pig farmers at the moment," he said.

High praise

SCOTTISH Enterprise strategy manager John Crawford displayed some humorous, mock jealousy Dan Reicher as he welcomed the former Google executive to speak at the agency's low carbon event, hosted with The Herald, last week.

Mr Crawford said: "He plays the sax in a jazz band, he likes haggis, he's quite partial to a dram of whisky and he also likes running. He's the kind of guy I used to hate at school because he's absolutely good at everything!"

For his part, Mr Reicher was pleased to report on the favourable meteorological conditions as he made his way by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow that morning. "There was a rainbow. The sun was glinting off solar panels on people's roofs. What more could I ask for?"