As a news junkie living in Edinburgh I find the overly parochial Scottish media intensely irritating, and have often joked that if World War III broke out Scotland’s papers would prefer to lead with a story about whisky production or Rabbie Burns, two of their favourite old chestnuts.

Granted, we are not quite at World War III just yet but with increasing predictions of global economic meltdown and a financial Armageddon, you might imagine that newspaper readers across the world would take an interest in the latest developments. You might imagine that, but the powers that be at the Scotsman newspaper clearly do not:

The Scotsman, 06/10/08

Amazingly, after a weekend of feverish panic and banking bailouts across Europe, the Scotsman does indeed devote its front page to whisky albeit consumption rather than production, complete with a smiling Alex Salmond enjoying a wee dram.

Reading the story we learn that “the SNP administration suffered a major setback last week when MSPs voted against its plans to raise the minimum age for buying alcohol in shops from 18 to 21.” A major setback last week?!

Incredibly as the day progressed with more bad news and markets continued in freefall the paper’s website continued the nonsense:

Scotsman Website, News Front Page, 13.00, 06/10/08

Alex Salmond again, and who’d have thought it, but Rabbie pops up too, with some drivel about inspiring Bob Dylan. Closer inspection reveals that there is in fact some mention of the credit crunch crisis playing second fiddle to “QE2 delights home crowd as she pays final visit”.

“Darling under pressure after German savings 100% protected” screams the headline. The UK Chancellor is merely under pressure? I bet he is relieved that he is not suffering major setbacks like those poor politicians in Scotland.