Message In A Bottle.

This must be one of the strangest press releases ever issued by the Scottish Government, nay Executive, in the history of devolution. Since when was the FM signing a raffle prize news?

"FM leaves message in a bottle ... First Minister Alex Salmond today left a signed bottle of 25 year-old whisky to be collected by the 250th visitor to the Talisker distillery in 2009 - Scotland's Year of Homecoming ..."

"Leaving a message" also has a different connotation in some parts of Scotland.

Scotch on the rocks.

Cheers.

"IT IS one of the great parliamentary traditions – the Chancellor enjoying a tipple of his choosing as he delivers the Budget. But when Alistair Darling makes his first such assessment of the UK's finances next Wednesday, his glass will be filled with London tap water.Though he has not yet ruled out accompanying it with a nip of whisky, he will avoid bottled water ... but many previous Chancellors have used the opportunity to enjoy a drink in the chamber – otherwise forbidden by parliamentary rules. Kenneth Clarke drank Glenfarclas whisky, while Norman Lamont opted for Highland Park. Before them Geoffrey Howe had a gin and tonic, Benjamin Disraeli drank brandy and water and William Gladstone mixed sherry with beaten egg."

It would be a bit contradictory if the Chancellor enjoyed a glass of whisky at the same time as he announced raising the duty on it during his Budget ... but would you fancy a Gladstone ... a "mixed sherry with beaten egg"? Delicious ... not.

Free Spirits.

Mr Smith also notes that his favourite Labour MSP peer George Foulkes (well he is the only one left since Mike Watson had to check in at the Saughton HMP B&B) is also up for an award this year in the "Free Spirit" category of the Politician of the Year Awards.

Rather ironic thinks Mr Smith given Lord Foulkes infamous falling down "tired and emotional" in a London street incident of a several years following his leaving a reception organised by the Scotch Whisky Association which lead to him pleading guilty to breach of the peace and assault charges and paying out over £1,000 in fines and costs.

Shouldn't the award be renamed "free spirits"? The awards after all are sponsored by spirits maker DIAGEO.

Mr Smith would also highlight the fact that Lord Foulkes rakes in rather a lot of cash from working as an independent parliamentary consultant which would suggest there are limits on how "free spirited" he can ever be, especially where commercial concerns come to the fore.

Irony.

Mr Smith notes that political Diarist ATTICUS highlights the fact that on the day the Scottish Government was announcing its latest clampdown on drinks promotions in supermarkets, the Scottish Parliament’s restaurant was holding a whisky tasting and the Campaign for Real Ale was hosting a reception in the Parliament’s Garden Lobby.

As ATTICUS says "much more convenient than to have to go to an off sales and pay for it."