BLUEMOMENT

I was at school in Largs when Hunterston powerstation was being built and later had occasion to visit the Chicago Bridge rig yard next door on business, but it wasn't until I spent time sailing around the area that I realised how much of an eyesore this "progress" actually was. It will be a long time before Hunterston can be restored to it's original state (100s of years) and the rig yard is now sprouting giant windmills. I had been led to believe there HAD TO BE a budget laid aside to restore the land but it seems that has been lost or forgotten. So, the beautiful Clyde is doomed to be adorned by derelict projects and the best we can expect is more Portavadies I suppose, but you get used to it.
HOWEVER, I couldn't get used to this -

Especially after having spent a couple of days in lovely Port Ramsay.


What's your worst nightmare as you glide peacefully round the coast?

Although the blot on the landscape is not nice and not inconsiderable my main beef with Glen Sanda is that only a very small portion of the wealth generated remains within the local economy (AFAIK) although the whole enterprise is founded on removing local resources.

How do you feel about the renewed mining operations at Loch Aline?

They've built a decent walk round the mine at Aline and apart from the yard and pier, you don't see much (well. it is a mine rather than a quarry) The major downside for me is the noise of the big tonka trucks going up the hill and the reversing beeps of the loaders.



The road and mine entrance are hidden by trees.



Glen Sanda still gets my carbunkle award.