Taking on the Treasury, Burns on women and the solar eclipse – it’s all in Alex Salmond’s new Courier column

One of the Treasury’s most senior civil servants is coming under fire and Alex Salmond does not hold back when it comes to Sir Nicholas Macpherson.

With a report due on how impartial taxpayer-paid government workers really were both north and south of the border during the independence referendum, the former First Minister is scathing about the controversial publication of currency union advice to Chancellor George Osborne.

It’s strong stuff and is not to be missed.

In a contender for biggest understatement of the day, there also comes the quote: “Robert Burns knew a thing or two about women.”

Yet the ex-SNP leader is not talking about our national bard’s infamous escapades with the fairer sex, but rather his promotion of women’s rights.

“Ah! ca ira! The Majesty Of Woman,” indeed.

Did you enjoy the partial eclipse on Friday? Salmond certainly did, after using some pretty unconventional equipment to view the phenomenon.

Read Alex Salmond’s column every Monday in The Courier.