Cochrane's downfall.
VETERAN Holyrood journalist Alan Cochrane has ruffled feathers with the publication of his diaries, Alex Salmond, My Part in his Downfall. Almost everyone he encountered as he tried to squeeze covering the referendum into his hectic schedule of school concerts and long lunches with retired generals is described as "useless," "totally useless," or "utterly useless". Among those at the book burning, sorry, launch, in Edinburgh this week was Alistair Darling, so perhaps the former Chancellor is not as furious about Cochrane's indiscretions as some folk claimed. However the launch venue - the foreign travel section of a book shop - was remarked upon. "That's in case he needs to leave the country," one wag said.
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Salmond's new haunt.
RECEIVED wisdom was that Alex Salmond would miss the trappings of office. Bute House, the government car, the entourage of bag-carriers - losing them would be like having an arm amputated, seasoned Holyrood-watchers feared. Not a bit of it. Not, at least, judging by the former First Minister's new-found liking for the Holyrood bar. Mr Salmond was spotted there on Thursday chatting with fellow backbenchers.
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Elle heeled.
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon is profiled in the French edition of Elle magazine this month. The fashion and lifestyle glossy approves - especially of her her "l'escarpin tartan," or tartan heels.
The new First Minister has not built her popularity on her style, it declares. But the tartan stilettos she wore to the SNP conference last month are definitely "de saison".
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ends
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