Scottish coastline path

There is a BBC story about a plan proposed by an SNP MSP to build a coastal path that goes all the way along Scotland's coast.

Plans for a long-distance path around the nation's entire coastline are to be discussed in the Scottish Parliament.

South of Scotland MSP Alasdair Morgan said many coastal walks already existed and these could be joined together to form one route around the country.

He said the path could start near Gretna and follow the shoreline all the way round to near Berwick.

Mr Morgan said he believed the project would provide a valuable tourism boost for the nation as a whole.

...

He said: "I do not know how long it would take somebody to walk the entire distance.

"I am sure that, if marketed effectively, it would be a valuable way of attracting people who want to try something different and who enjoy seeing Scotland from a different perspective.

"That is not to say that people would attempt the entire distance, although I suspect it could be done in stages, in the same way as people climb the Munros."

I can certainly see the merits of the idea; Scotland certainly has some beautiful coastlines, publicising and making them more accessible is certainly something I can embrace. Added to that the idea of being able to walk to whole length of the coast appeals to me.

However there seem to be a lot of details that need to be ironed out. To pick obvious examples there's the cost, especially the cost of building and maintaining paths in the most inaccessible parts of the coast. There may also be environmental impacts on delicate ecosystems, the building of the path and foot traffic may be damaging to local wildlife.

If those problems can be overcome I will certainly welcome this new and easy way to explore the beautiful country in which I live.

Scotland and the Budget

Tomorrow the Scottish Government publishes its budget, the second of a minority administration and the media is asking who they will do a deal with this time. last year they went to the right, but then again that is nothing new for the SNP, so this year will they do the same again. They do seem to like to do the same things again as thanks to a blog I read it seems that Alex Salmond is going to threaten to take his ball away if he doesn't win the vote.

People are facing real hardships and the Salmond is on an ego trip, well that is nothing new that is for sure, I mean this is the guy who thought he was Barack Obama and told us all that he invented the "yes we can" slogan.

But seriously the budget is a major concern for the country, in this time of financial trouble what we need is our politicians to suggest a budget that will help us all and that will work for all the people and not just the few.

I want a budget that protects public services and not more cuts and more chance for the snp to say concordat and blame it all on Westminster, I want to see how they are going to build the new forth bridge and to actually admit that the Scottish Futures Trust was nothing more than a big lie and was never intended to actually do any large project management.

On the bridge, if I have got this right the SNP were asking the Government to allow the bridge to be built using money that would be given in 20 yrs time, now first of all that is like asking your mum or dad for an advance in pocket money but from some mysterious date in the future and how many of got away with that . Secondly does 20 yrs in the future mean that they are admitting that they are not going to be independent.

So to get back on topic please lets not have any games on the budget Mr Salmond and actually do what you say you were elected to do and serve the people of Scotland.

Scottish Independence

The following article was in last week's Gaudie. It was written by Amy Robertson, a member of the Labour Club. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I did.


Financial crisis? I’m more worried about the SNP…

So, the FTSE is down, a huge number of our banks have been nationalised and the countries savings are in jeopardy. Yawn.com. Unless it affects my interest free overdraft I'm not really interested. I think there is something much more frightening and relevant to us, as students, on the political horizon - something that will take more than a 700 billion dollar bail out to cure. Last week Alex Salmond caused what can only be called a cringe worthy scene when he attempted to talk economics. Not only did he embarrass himself with his fumbling incoherent number chat, but he also embarrassed this country.

Many people I'm sure must be drawn to the SNP and the notion of independence, however I have a feeling that SNP for many Scottish citizens is a mere euphemism for the ‘We hate England’ party. Has anyone put down their Saltire for more than a second and stopped to think of the repercussions of Independence? Well for one, if we were once again faced with the onslaught of recession we would not be able to run to our big brothers in Westminster for help.

How many of us grew up with Blue Peter, or Neighbours? (Before the cruel people at the BBC moved it to Five)- or even the Six o clock news? Well hate to break it to you but as menial as it seems these programs are controlled by the British Broadcasting Corporation - not the Scottish Broadcasting Corporation. Could we really face an abundance of home-grown channels such as STV and copious amounts of shows such as Postcode Challenge with the MostAnnoyingWomanInTheWorld Carol Smilie? Nah, I didn’t think so.

For students how will the Loans and Tuition fees system change? Furthermore it would be more complicated for students to study in places such as Aberdeen from England and the rest of the UK. The pound would no doubt be abolished, to be replaced with a completely new currency, or indeed the Euro. How complicated would that be? A trip to the Carling weekend in Leeds would be up there in terms of logistics with going to America! Furthermore changing currency tends to trigger inflation meaning that things such as magazines are much more expensive. You might not notice the difference between two fat balding MP’s in Parliament but you would notice the price of your weekly NME or Heat rising. Plus erm, Scotland would have to have its own Olympic team... with the highest obesity rate in Europe we’ve not got the best prospects.

We as students are the members of the population who would be most affected by possible independence - as the future working population. For us it would mean a much more fragile infrastructure to live in, could Scotland really cope without England? I'm not so sure, plus would the Queen still be our Queen!?! So as the race commences for the title of Leader of The World - aka the American Presidential Election stop for a moment and imagine Alex Salmond (supposedly our First Minister..) making small talk with Barack Obama or John McCain. One can't help but think he’d look hugely insignificant.

A huge thank you.......

Lindsay Roy

6737 majority.

You have made us all proud. A huge result for Labour tonight, the SNP are now on the back foot for the first time in since May 2007. Comrades one and all, let us take confidence from this result and begin the battle NOW for the Fourth Term. I will leave analysis to a later date, I feel the urge to celebrate.

Signed

An ecstatic Laudrup!