Braveheart-upon-Tweed

Alex Salmond is painting himself with woad this morning and heading south for a memorable clash with Albion over the ownership of Berwick-upon-Tweed. A by-no-means scientific study has found that Berwickians would prefer shortbread, woolen scarves and higher public spending over stiff upper lips, mild S&M and lower public spending. Go figure.

The last time the Scots made an incursion into England (football matches notwithstanding), they got as far as Derby. Whether Salmond has his eyes on the closed factories and excellent popular music of northern England remains unclear.