It's all kicking off in Scottish politics again

Although we already know that Scotland has been the "strangest and most important part of British politics" for most of the last 12 months, the last few days have been particularly intense.

In case you've missed them, here are some of the other things that have been happening while Nicola Sturgeon has been touring the US:

Jim Murphy resigns, throws shade at Alex Salmond

Although he announced his intention to step down as Scottish Labour leader last month, Jim Murphy made his resignation official on Saturday.

But in his announcement, he could resist having a wee dig at SNP adversary Alex Salmond:

"As Nicola Sturgeon is learning, very little good comes from a leader who steps down but doesn't shut up," he quipped. Zing.

Alex Salmond says people complaining about his 'behave yourself woman' comment just don't understand the Scottish language

The former first minister, who's now serving as a Westminster MP, has been criticised for telling Conservative MP Anna Soubry to "behave yourself woman" in the Commons.

In a clash with a Guardian journalist on BBC radio on Sunday morning, Salmond said his comments were not sexist and anyone who thought they were clearly didn't understand the "vernacular of Scotland". Right.

David Starkey likened the SNP to the Nazis

That's right. "Katie Hopkins with a PhD" is at it again. In an interview with the Sunday Times, the historian said the Saltire was like the swastika, and likened the SNP’s view of the English to Adolf Hitler’s hatred of Jewish people.

SNP MP Kirsten Oswald retorted by saying the 70-year-old's comments were "irresponsible" and "deeply offensive to the Jewish community, the half of the Scottish electorate who voted SNP last month and 60 per cent who currently intend to vote SNP next year". She added:

He has become little more than a serial utterer of bile and bilge.

More: Nicola Sturgeon appears on the Daily Show, gets likened to Saddam Hussein