A gap in blogging results from some post-election R and R on the Black Isle.
Highland Council is seeing the impact of the SNP breakthrough in council
politics. Independent councillors remain the dominant force, having survived
the uncertain effects of the new voting system. But once again, it seems the
SNP was much better prepared than its party opponents to pounce on the
opportunity of sharing power across Scotland’s council chambers. R and R
wasn't all local politics - the dog enjoyed some good walks.

Back to Holyrood today, and a genuine slice of history, as Alex Salmond
became First Minister. Two weeks preparation had prepared us for the sight
of SNP MSPs having the centre of the debating chamber, and of Salmond making
his acceptance speech. We have even been getting used to the sombre,
consensual Salmond - though Labour MSPs are still rubbing their eyes to see
if it is for real. But what really brought home the change was at St
Andrew’s House, a building which speaks more eloquently of power than
Holyrood’s architecture, and where the small, close-knit SNP leadership team
are now calling the shots with the civil service. At a press briefing far
better attended than the room for which it was intended, it was a clear
there is a revolution taking place here. The SNP say they are impressed by
the response of the civil service, relishing the challenge of a change. But
that’s only after meeting some of the officials. While Labour ex-ministers
are convinced it will be hard for any party to challenge the inertia of the
civil service, others blame inertia on Labour ministers. Note that Alex
Salmond and his wife are both former civil servants. They know the mindset
in a way that few political leaders have before. The only former civil
servant to lead a government in modern British history was, I think, Harold
Wilson... unless you know better.