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In Perth, a strange combination: one part of the Conservative Party is hoping to re-establish itself more securely somewhere on the Scottish political radar screen.

The other part is having to weigh its words very carefully, as it positions itself for (it hopes) winning power at Westminster.

For Commons front-benchers, their visit to the Scottish conference includes significant amounts of ear-bashing from lobby groups, notably about the state of the economy.

Today, Oil and Gas UK had visiting them on an Aberdeen stopover.

Chief executive Malcolm Webb was impressing on the politician the industry's reckoning that it faces a £2bn reduction in capital investment, due to rising costs, falling output prices and the credit squeeze.

That translates, according to OGUK, into 40,000 jobs, and in a sector that earns £45bn per year in export earnings.

Last months' budget, from Alistair Darling, had left the trade body with "general disappointment" at a lost opportunity that the industry was not put on a better footing.

Music to Mr Osborne's ears, no doubt, but with the public finances in some state, it's not clear whether he can afford to do avoid continued offshore sector disappointment.

Back at the conference, Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox has been trying to walk a difficult line on procurement.

A Strategic Defence Review is proposed, as an early priority for an incoming Tory government.

Painful cuts are expected. That may be true of any government after next year's Westminster election.

Mr Fox's speech only guaranteed one element of the review - "there will be a replacement to the submarine-based nuclear deterrent under a Conservative Government".

That follows a recent hint that whatever follows Trident may be in three subs instead of four.

And what of projects that are already under way? The supercarrier contract for instance, which is vital to the future for the Clyde's two shipyards and Rosyth?

All Mr Fox says about it in his speech is "some debate the merits of Britain building two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy".

Not quite a ringing endorsement of the plan. But could there be cancellation if Tories win office? Only at considerable expense, and quite a bit of political pain.