Even so, both the Scottish National Party and the Labour Party have been putting more emphasis than before on issues close to Highland hearts, such as land reform.

ECONOMIST: Scottish politics

And Mr Blair's abrupt declaration that Scottish Labour was bound by the national party's pledge on tax made George Robertson, Labour's Scottish spokesman, look like an idiot.

ECONOMIST: Devolution

But the Scottish National Party has accused Labour of breaking a pledge to reduce waiting lists by 10, 000 before the next general election.

BBC: Row erupts over waiting lists