Just to say its great to see the good work in Orkney , from a proud orkneyman living doon sooth :)

What utter dewy eyed hackneyed rot! Scottish heavy industry declined because it found itself in a global market competing against countries that did the work cheaper, quicker and with less union interference. Stop blaming Thatcher when the it was the overblown demands of the jumped up shop stewards that were just as much to blame.

Phil - my view is subjective because I lived through that era. You may denigrate it as dewy eyed rot but that in no way devlaues its legitimacy. Mgt Thatcher vociferously justified unemployment as a necessary sacrifice to fund her policies. I and others do not see 'people' as sacrificial economic numbers. You choose to couch your justification for the demise of heavy industry within the paradigm of global free market capitalism which is only one economic perspective. It succeeds by 'chasing' the lowest wages round the world in ruthless pursuit of the economic lowest common denominator in financial, social, environmental and ethical outlay. Irrespective of the reasons for the demise of Scotland's heavy industry there was no vision to attempt to replace it with anything other than the dole. Protection of people' rights for a fair wage, job security, housing and cohesive communities is anathema to the values of Thatcher and those of her ilk who you it would seem are. Your route has brought us to the suicides of vulnerable people victimised and hounded into work by ATOS and the national obscenity of food banks. The UK is heading towards the status of a third world country draped in the moth eaten robes of a rotten empire. Have a nice day and take care not to trip over any beggars.