Hireath

Myself, Fiona Hyslop and Mark MacDonald , as the three Ministerial delegates from Scotland , finally made it to the opening event of the 28th British Irish Council Summit near Cardiff just before the excellent Welsh trio ( harp, soprano and baritone ) Hireath performed.

The First Minister will arrive just before the plenary tomorrow morning but I have other meetings first thing as do Mark & Fiona. That opportunity to undertake direct discussion with ministers from other administrations is one of the great benefits of such events.

Our delay this evening was caused by the need for the plane to be de-iced at Edinburgh before it could leave but it is not quite so cold here.