ACROSS
 7. <rookie> NOVICE = NO VICE
 8. VERSE inside OE + R = OVERSEER <monitor>
10. I ECHO* + USE = ICEHOUSE <cool building>
11. LIZARDS - L = IZARDS <Pyrenean goats>
12. CAS_ BULLIES* = CASUS BELLI <justification for fighting>
14. <sharp> TART = TAR + T
16. (HAD RUM)* = DURHAM <English city>
17. <curry> MADRAS = MAD _R _A _S
18. <I made a mistake> OOPS = O + OPS
19. DISH EARTHEN - H = DISHEARTEN <to crush>
21. <group singing> CHORUS = C HORUS
23. LIST inside ALBA* = BALLISTA <ancient siege weapon>
25. <slash> LACERATE = LACE RATE
26. <brown pigment> SIENNA = S_I_E_ N_N_A

DOWN
 1. <critical> TOUCH-AND-GO = (TOUCAN outside H) DOG*
 2. <unqualified> WITHOUT RESERVE = WIT H + OUTRE SERVE
 3. <South American nation> PERU = PER U
 4. <northern> BORE + ←LA←
 5. <reasonable> LEGITIMATE = (LEG IT) I + MATE
 6. L END = LEND <advance>
 9. (BANTERED + RACIST)* = SCATTER-BRAINED <thoughtless>
13. BRAND ←PANSY← = BRANDY SNAP <gingerbread confectionery>
15. <admiring> RESPECTING = RESTING outside PEC
20. <portion> SUBSET = SUET outside BS
22. <make out> HE A_ R_
24. <use rope to bind> LASH <whip's braided cord>