Far, far away.

So, "Far north MSP Jamie Stone has apologised for not being present in the Holyrood debating chamber for the final session before the festive break. Mr Stone had tabled a question on improvements to the A9, but there was silence when his name was called. His absence from last Thursday afternoon's proceedings earned him the wrath of Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson."

Pretty big miscalculation Mr Stone, given that you've been around for several years in the Scottish Parliament.

Must have been up to something better at the time then? But is the "far north" further away then the Far East? He still looks like Harry Potter aged 53 and a half.

Most Pointless.

And courtesy of Drumlanrig, the Mr Smithstonian Award for Most Pointless Question of 2007 goes to John Wilson MSP.

"CASH FOR QUESTIONS ... On the subject of awards, congratulations to new SNP MSP John Wilson for asking the most pointless parliamentary question of the year. The Central Scotland politician decided to waste his own party colleagues' time by putting down a question asking how much it cost to ask a question. The answer is £65.18. Hopefully, Wilson will now offer to reimburse the taxpayer."