CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Heater staff might like a shot (6)

4 See 3 Down

9 Out at midnight, observing (6)

10 Stamp kept in covering a short time? (5,3) 12 A thistle merk, perhaps, or a nicer variant (4,4) 13 See 26 Down

15 City simply swaps halves (4)

16 Almost a double score corrected in hit entry (6-4)

19 Weymss vacation involves resort rebuilt in area of scenic splendour (6,4) 20 Occasionally, insanity does not exist (3’1) 23 Bank of Scotland backing in New York, which is a stone’s throw away (6)

25 Bones can dislocate in ancient French city (8)

27/1D Rough following boss, as 13Ac was of 22Dn (8,7)

28 See 11 Down

29 Plot thickening – lots involving late entrant in final furlong (8)

30 Under the crust, 13’s was green (6)

DOWN

1 See 27 Across

2 Brief message over gold debts is unfortunately well-known (9)

3/4A Soothing like drinking tea, a father gobbling crackers causes panic (2,4,2,1,5)

5 Rung one of 13Ac’s 10Ac (4) 6 Cylindrical water marks confused Cuban lads ousting leader (3,5)

7 In accordance with the limited source of 26Dn 13Ac (5)

8 Firm depression, surrounded by alcohol (2,5)

11/28A A way to hold up well-to-do girl in long grass for 13Ac’s hero (7,6)

14/26 Legendary king’s ultimate advisor in trouble with gospel written by 13Ac (7,4)

17 Equipment to take fliers playing tennis, etc (6,3)

18 Introduction to book leads to hilarious results and judge floundering in the borders (8)

19 Sweet triumph over, for example, hesitation? (4,3)

21 Conserve and sort old photograph (7) 22 Country able to plug gap without doctor (6) 24 Artful villain missing essential skills creates forger’s kit (5)

26/13A A hunch new job could be the making of writer (4,6)