When Scottish swimmers swam out of their skins at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, politicians leapt on the bandwagon of their success with a reaction time that would put Roland 'The Blade' Schoeman to shame. Pity then that so much of that success had almost nothing to do with Scotland apart from the significant input of genes past on by parents, of course.

On March 21, Alex Salmond, a man who would sever links with the union to create a Scotland that would presumably field its own Olympic team beyond the fold of Britain, is to meet Hannah Miley (who has put British medley records through a mangle this past year) for a chat about the only way that politicians could ever claim to have helped win medals and provided elite sports opportunities for children: get your wallet out, start digging and get the 50m pool built, and do it fast. Then step back and let the experts get on with it in an environment where they control the assets of their success.

The North-East of Scotland has given rise to a host of elite swimmers, from the man who is by far the most successful British swimmer in history, David Wilkie (only non-American at Montreal 1976 to win gold in the pool), to the likes of Olympic bronze medallist Neil Cochran (former, much faster, training partner of this author and coached by author's dad), Commonwealth champion David Carry and the hard-working talent Miley, coached by her father Patrick, a helicopter pilor and inventor of the Aquapacer.

Only this week, it was revealed that more than 2,500 children are on the waiting list for lessons in Aberdeenshire. One woman, the local media reported, was so desperate that she registered her unborn child. Miley's Garioch Swimming Club at Inverurie had a waiting list of more than 1,000 at the start of December last year. Much work to be done, Mr Salmond, member for the Scottish Parliament for Miley's ward.

A mouthpiece for Salmond told local media: 'He is very aware of the problems and concerns and intends to discuss all the issues in full at the meeting.'

Talk is cheap, of course. Salmond will be judged on his actions. Hopefully, he will turn up at the meeting with a digger and some plans. The time for talking about issues that come down to a will to do, or not to do, is over.