Skibo Castle - where international superstars marry and Scotland's public servants spend public money

The Celtic name for Skibo Castle was Schytherbolle, which translates as fairyland.

How apt.

The desision to host a three day conference at Skibo Castle at a cost to the public purse of £ 45,000 and to proclaim that it was a good deal surely lives in the world of fantasy and fairytales. It is highly unlikely that this sum includes expenses in which case the costs will be sure to rocket.

The event is the third "co-operation conference" of the Nordic Council.

A bedroom at Skibo Castle - no doubt just like the delegates have at home

No bloody wonder they co-operate if they get to go on freebies like this.

A spokesman for "Thick Henry" McLeish, leader of the Scottish Executive, in a phrase which surely justifies his nickname, said "The meeting had to take place somewhere".

Duh !!!!!!