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Giant tidal device set for tests off Orkney

 

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A giant underwater turbine which could form the world's first tidal power array has been deployed off Orkney.

 

The 100ft-high 1MW (megawatt) Hammerfest Strom HS1000 device was installed by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

 

It will now undergo tests in preparation for larger-scale production and deployment.

 

Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) hopes to use the design for a planned array in the Sound of Islay.

 

The device has been developed by Hammerfest Strom, a company partly owned by SPR parent firm Iberdrola.

 

Its substructure was constructed in the Arnish Yard, near Stornoway, in Lewis.

 

SPR intends to develop a 10MW tidal array in Islay after receiving planning consent from the Scottish government in March this year.

 

'Difficult operation'

 

The HS1000 device, which SPR said could power the annual electricity needs of 500 homes, is expected to be fully operational in early 2012.

 

The tests will also help to finalise the timetable for the Islay project, with machines being installed "as early as feasible" between 2013 and 2015.

 

Scottish Power Renewables chief executive Keith Anderson said: "We are delighted that the HS1000 turbine has been successfully installed in Orkney, and Hammerfest engineers deserve huge credit for carrying out this difficult operation in very testing weather conditions. We look forward to monitoring its progress when fully operational next year.

 

"This is a major milestone in the development of tidal power technology in Scotland, and for the tidal power industry across the world.

 

"We anticipate using this turbine as part of our project in Islay, which will be the first of its kind in the world, and remains the only consented tidal array project in Scotland."

 

He added: "Beyond this, we have ambitions to use this turbine as part of even larger scale projects in the Pentland Firth, which we are currently investigating."

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Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers see in 2012

 

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Tens of thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh to see in the new year at the city's world-famous Hogmanay street party.

 

Meanwhile, a huge free party featuring the Hoodja, Bags of Rock, Wolfstone and Skerryvore was staged in Inverness.

 

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Eddi Reader helped Stirling Castle revellers see in the bells.

 

In Aberdeen, a free firework display was set off from the roof of His Majesty's Theatre in the city centre.

 

Glasgow hosted a family day, which ended at 22:00 GMT, with traditional music and children's activities.

 

The city council had previously said it was not holding a street party this year due to the cost.

 

Edinburgh, which has been dubbed the "home of Hogmanay", attracted about 80,000 party-goers to welcome in 2012.

 

Scots rockers Primal Scream headlined the sold-out Concert in the Gardens against the backdrop of the castle.

 

The Keilidh, an outdoor ceilidh event in the city, also sold out.

 

The Scottish capital's famous street party featured music stages, giant screens and outdoor bars.

 

Friendly Fires, DJ Mark Ronson and Kassidy all performed, with folk band Peatbog Faeries headlining the Celtic World Music stage.

 

'Just fantastic'

 

More than 2,800 individual fireworks were set off from the castle in a six-minute display.

 

Sean Ingles, 23, travelled from New Orleans in Louisiana to Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.

 

He said: "I came with my dad who is originally from here, he moved to the States about 25 years ago and he brought us home for the good times.

 

"We came here just for Hogmanay, it's been great. I've met all kinds of great people in the crowd, it's just been fantastic.

 

"The atmosphere is brilliant, I feel right at home. New Orleans is such a friendly city and Scotland is very much the same. It was definitely worth the trip."

 

Newlyweds Rob and Claire Atkins, from Nottingham, said the party had been the perfect end to the perfect year.

 

Mrs Atkins, 31, said: "We got married earlier this year so 2011 has been brilliant, we like to think we're carrying on the celebrations tonight."

 

Pete Irvine, creative director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, said: "Edinburgh's Hogmanay has a worldwide reputation, and we are delighted that, once again, revellers have travelled from around the globe to join us."

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Hundreds join Loony Dook event near Forth Bridge

 

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More than 1,000 people took to the freezing waters of the Forth Estuary in the 26th successive Loony Dook event.

 

It was preceded by the grand parade of Loonies near the Forth Bridge, watched by hundreds of spectators.

 

The event is expected to raise thousands of pounds for charities.

 

About 50 people also participated in a swim at the East Beach in Dunbar to raise money for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.

 

James MacKenzie, who took part in the South Qeensferry Loony Dook, said: "This is the 26th year, 26 years of doing it and I have enjoyed every one.

 

"You meet people from all over the world. One year there were only four of us but today there's over a thousand."

 

Another participant, Iain Andrews, said: "It gets rid of a hangover, very quickly, I might add."

 

Both men are part of the original group that started the Loony Dook in the Forth.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Scottish independence: Cameron in referendum summit with Salmond

 

Prime Minister David Cameron is to meet Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to discuss plans for a referendum on Scottish independence, Number 10 says.

 

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It said arrangements for the meeting would be made "in the coming days".

 

But a spokesman said Mr Cameron still suggested that Mr Salmond should first have talks with Scottish Secretary Michael Moore on Thursday.

 

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the move saying that it represented "real progress".

 

She added: "This is a welcome change of view from the Westminster government. When Alex Salmond first proposed a meeting with the PM and deputy PM the initial reaction was to decline it. The fact is they have reflected on that and changed their minds."

 

Mr Salmond's spokesman said the SNP government's detailed consultation document on the referendum arrangements would be published on Wednesday 25 January.

 

"Thereafter, meetings can take place hopefully very soon," the spokesman added.

 

Mr Salmond - who had said Mr Cameron did not accept six earlier invitations to meet - said he would also meet Mr Moore.

 

His spokesman said he was "very happy to meet with the Scottish secretary".

 

A war of words between the UK government and the Scottish government had been rumbling since last weekend when Mr Cameron's Tory-Lib Dem coalition decided to increase the pressure on Mr Salmond's SNP to name the date for the referendum on independence.

 

On Tuesday, as Mr Moore outlined a UK government consultation on the legality of an independence referendum, Mr Salmond announced that he planned to hold the vote in autumn 2014.

 

A statement issued by Downing Street said: "The prime minister and the deputy prime minister have made it clear they are happy to meet Alex Salmond and arrangements will be made for that in the coming days."

 

But the statement goes on to say that the prime minister also believes the first minister should accept the invitation to meet the Scottish secretary on Thursday, to discuss the consultation process.

 

Earlier Mr Salmond told BBC Scotland that Westminster policy on the referendum was being led by the "Westminster Quad" of Mr Cameron, Chancellor George Osborne, Deputy PM Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury.

 

Mr Salmond's spokesman said: "We believe it is to everyone's benefit that these meetings are informed by the published consultation documents of both the UK and Scottish governments, so that Mr Moore, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg can see what our proposals are - and we look forward to the meetings taking place."

 

Mr Moore had asked Mr Salmond for a meeting to resolve "real legal problems" with the independence referendum.

 

The UK government has clashed with SNP ministers, after saying the vote will not be legal unless Scotland gets new powers to hold it.

 

The PM had said he favoured a referendum "as soon as possible" - earlier than 2014.

 

Westminster is also believed to favour a single question, yes or no to independence, rather than including a third option - so called "devolution max" - for greater powers for Scotland.

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There is more support in England for Scotland leaving the United Kingdom than there is north of the border, according to a poll for The Mail on Sunday.

 

Scots do not want the English to meddle in whether they end their 300-year union with England, but English voters are much keener to have a say in the matter.

 

 

And the main worry of Scots appears to be that cutting their ties with England and Wales will leave them with less cash.

 

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086833/Scottish-independence-More-English-Scots-want-independence-Scotland.html#ixzz1je58ZpQ3

 

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