Cromarty Rising

We have learned that the Scottish Parliament is to do debate the matter of ship to ship oil transfers this Wednesday, 22nd March at 5pm. There is no vote – however we are hoping to see cross party support in opposing the proposals on our doorstep in the inner Moray Firth. Feel free to encourage […]

While we were at the Scottish Parliament this week, John Finnie MSP, was kind enough to accept the 38 degrees petition, now standing at over 103,000 signatures. I should also add that John and Kate Forbes MSP also supported us by attending the petitions committee.

Today, well yesterday now, we were invited by the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee to give evidence as witnesses in relation to the Scottish Parliament petition. We felt it was well received with the committee giving us a fair hearing and asking some well considered questions. The outcome is that the committee will write to the […]

The new Cromarty Firth tide tables go out of their way to promote the special environment of the Cromarty Firth – describing the Port of Cromarty Firth as “an environmental safehaven” – how exactly does STS fit in with this or is it all smoke and mirrors?

Another flurry of press articles last week followed our trip to the Highland Council and the petition hand in. A good natured event – we thank Council leader Margaret Davidson for having the good grace to accept our petition. Articles made it to: The Inverness Courier – http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Moray-Firth-campaigners-against-ship-to-ship-oil-transfers-hand-petition-into-Highland-Council-09032017.htm The Herald – http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15146185.More_than_100_000_oppose_oil_transfers/ The Ross-shire Journal – http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/News/Ship-to-ship-emergency-meeting-call-as-council-prepares-for-last-pre-election-gathering-06032017.htm and […]

One of the most useful studies providing an assessment of the effects of oil on coastal communities that we have read is the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) Technical Information Paper 12 (Effects of oil pollution on social and economic activites, Technical Information Paper 12. International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation http://www.ukpandi.com/fileadmin/uploads/uk-pi/Knowledge_Base_-_International_Conventions/TIP%2012%20Effects%20of%20Oil%20Pollution%20on%20Social%20and%20Economic%20Activities.pdf). The paper considers […]

…according to a recent letter from Drew Hendry – 97.7% of his constituents that responded to his survey oppose STS. Maybe that’s why the CFPA have not responded to our suggestion that they hold a referendum? Here’s what Drew said – good to have him supporting his constituents: Dear Cromarty Rising, Thank you for getting […]

News of a new miracle oil spill clean up product (https://www.newscientist.com/article/2123391-sponge-can-soak-up-and-release-spilled-oil-hundreds-of-times/) – it works like a sponge to absorb up to 90 times its own weight in oil. It can then be wrung out and re-used. It is suggested in the article that it might be particularly useful for cleaning up hard to reach shores. […]

We had a look at the Transport Scotland website just to see what therein ports and harbours responsibilities are (http://www.transport.gov.scot/water/port-and-harbour-responsibilities). Here what they say:  Port and harbour responsibilities We handle all devolved ports policy matters on behalf of Scottish Ministers, covering commercial, publicly owned and trust ports and related issues. What kind of ports are […]

Well, here we are at Oil Leak 100 and with that we have some good news – an email sent earlier this week to some Highland Councillors confirming the new application will not be submitted before June at the earliest.  See below –   Members   Further to the press article last week the Cromarty […]