Ardyne Point and Portavadie
Came across some interesting info for a couple of locations that seemed to merit inclusion thanks to their past history and connection with the boom years of Scotland’s oil industry.
Ardyne Point was supposed to see the construction of dozens of oil platforms, and seems to have managed a grand total of three in its lifetime. It’s said that labour relations there were rather poor, partly because the management didn’t know how to deal with their workers, recruited from the dying shipyards of the Clyde, who were forever walking off the job. Sounds like a familiar story, and similar to that recounted when labour relations are discussed with regard to the ill-fated Linwood car factory, which drew its labour force from the same source.
Portavadie was supposed to do the same, and consumed £millions of taxpayer’s money for the same reason, and produced an equally impressive total of zero platforms, and attracted no business to the area, other than its own construction.
My firm carried out an ecological “what`s there now ” survey before the Ardyne yard was commissioned , the idea being that Argyll district council would enforce the restoration of the landscape and littoral-scape following decommisssioning ; any idea whether that`s been done ?(Sep 07
Afraid the only info we have is what is offered on the Portavadie Page on the Main Site, based on info offered to us, as we have no connection with any of the places we describe.
The last info was on development proposals in 2006, but as with all the previous plans, it seems to have gone away for consideration - whether or not it will be seen again is anyone’s guess.
As for restoration…
All accounts seem to suggest it was a case of “Up sticks and run away fast” after the rig plans folded - like a shoreside Marie Celeste.
Sadly, not a place I’ve haunted, despite passing the turnoff many times en route to my more usual haunts.
Ardyne has never been restored although the council thinks the money has been ringfenced for this (by McAlpines). There are currently plans going through the pipeline for a residentilal and leisure development on the site (outline . Cynics think this is a ploy to raise the value of the land for resale but who knows?
Does anyone know anything about the boat (which looks like a Navy Vessel) which is moored at Ardyne Point every New Year?
Maybe The Fox might have a better idea about that one than me, but if you keep an eye on the following link…
http://www.aisliverpool.org.uk/currentmap.php?map=RiverClyde
You might get lucky and find that the vessel pops up on the AIS map for the area.
This is basically a transponder system all vessels are required to carry, transmitting their identity and sailing details. The info is not always available on the map 24/7, but most vessels seem to appear there at some point, so you never know.
Probably a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel. A member of the Naval Service that keeps the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom running around the world. Its main function is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel and supplies, personnel are civilians, with RN personnel on board to handle any military operations.
Brilliant! I’ve been trying to get an answer for the last 4 years and within a day of posting here I now know!
It is on the site you mentioned, as RFA Fort George. The transponder system looks fascinating, I’ve added the site to my favourites so will now be able to see what’s going on when I’m not there to watch.
Many thanks.