Comment posted Argyll and the Isles’ Secrets Collection: The Brainport Alignment by newsroom.
Yes it is, George – but its a 2 1/4 miles that rewards a lot of time.
newsroom also commented
- This is quite stunning – and great to see on the record.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Institute of Fiscal Studies economist looks at fiscal context of independent Scotland
The link to Mr Emmerson’s presentation has been given in the article above from the outset.
And – in genuine puzzlement – what precisely do you see as ‘spin’? - Colonsay votes 60%-40% in favour of proposed Marine Harvest salmon farm
Freedom Foods is less and different than it seems.
This article is required reading for any understanding of this tricky situation:
http://forargyll.com/2013/01/rspca-compromised-by-freedom-food-certification-for-farmed-salmon/ - Institute of Fiscal Studies economist looks at fiscal context of independent Scotland
We would be be very happy to answer this question if we could.
But, as things stand, there is no substantive information and economic detail on exactly what economic strategy and its associated policies would be pursued for an independent Scotland.
The First Minister’s ‘Scotland’s Economy’ paper, recently launched, was profoundly disappointing in this respect and, in its lack of economic substance, replaced by ad-man puffery, was damaging to the campaign’s credibility.
We can assure you and anyone, that when such information becomes available – and we are sure it will because it must – we will not be prejudging it but will respond to it with open mind and goodwill and the necessary intelligent scrutiny.
We have WANTED and still want to see a coherent, joined up, strong, imaginative, challenging and achievable strategy and policies put forward for a specific future for Scotland – honestly described in unchallengeably accurate costs and benefits and carving out an identity for Scotland that is realistic and unique.
The extent to which all we are being offered is essentially the status quo with a new badge and a few costly goody bags to entice ‘Yes’ votes could not undermine the ‘independence’ prospectus more thoroughly.
No one can possibly believe that a change of this magnitude can be made without cost to all concerned.
It is necessary is to know the realistic costs, perceive the realistic benefits and decide if the price is worth paying.
We do not believe that the price need be too high or the benefits inconsequential – but as this campaign is being run, the price IS too high and the benefits insubstantial because, in any competent sense, the necessary thinking has not gone on.
What is being proposed is unrealistic, often unspecific and unproductively expensive into the future – and the easy answers are clearly both misleading and dishonest.
This won’t do and it won’t do it. - White smoke rises from Councillor Duncan MacIntyre’s chimney as two-man College of Cardinals settle a deal
Short and sweet for short and sweet: don’t be simplistic.
No one could defend Councillor Robb’s sudden swerve last Thursday, leaving his loyal colleagues like flotsam and jetsam.
But that does not mean that he did not deserve the support he was given by his colleagues when he was given it.
Life is not a simple business. - Russell to make parliamentary statement on rural schools today
In the circumstances of the destructions of the SNP councillors group in the last 12 months, you can hardly expect credibility elevating the importance of ‘collective’ action?
Being ‘collective’ when it suits one to harvest support from others it not what collectivity or collegiality is about.
And many in Argyll now know more than enough about your party, its councillors, its members, its structures and its wonderfully elastic ‘rules’.
powered by SEO Super Comments
This is the sort of article that makes FA a gem,
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Great stuff.
Its on my “to do” list
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s now on my ‘bucket list’ too.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wonderful, insightful article. I have lived in Argyll for over 20 years and did not know of this secret place until now. Many thanks FA
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Credit is due to Colonel Peter Fane-Gladwin, who lived at Braigh Varr near the top of Minard Hill, and who in the 1970s first realised the importance of this alignment, lost in thick forest. In the 1960s he had previously discovered the site of the lost milecastle 64 on Hadrian’s Wall (near where the present day M6 crosses the line of it). Not bad for someone who wasn’t an archaeologist.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is quite stunning – and great to see on the record.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Absolutely Excellent….more ! more ! more !
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
great article
is that a 2 1/4 mile round trip or one way? I am coming over this summer and building my list of places to see.
cant wait to see Argyll again.
George Young from Seattle USA
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes it is, George – but its a 2 1/4 miles that rewards a lot of time.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
George Young – 2 1/4 miles would take you to the calendrical site, there and back, from Minard. But there is such a network of paths that you could easily double that distance. One detour I would recommend would be to Oakbank, which overlooks Brainport Bay. So take a camera, and a picnic lunch, and make a day of it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I was brought up in the area – Tullochgorm to be exact – and Brainport was within easy strolling distance. It was the place we used to go “dookin’” and little did we suspect the ancient connections.
The path along the shore from Woodhouse was a popular Sabbath afternoon’s walk, and wild strawberries could be picked at the Black Quarry which was en route. It was near the Black Quarry that the body of Murdy Fletcher was found in the mid thirties. He had earned the Military Cross in WW1 and was a fisherman on one of the boats out of Minard.(It may have been a suicide.)
On the southerly arm of Brainport lay the wreck of the “Lily” -an outdated fishing smack which had a folding propeller, so she was obviously from the sailing era. The remains are possibly still there if one cares to look.
The area between Brainport and the “Castle Avenue” was known as “The Pheasantry”, no doubt where “the toffs” came to shoot pheasants in the early days of the Castle. Up till the mid nineteen hundreds the castle was the the balliewick of the Lloyd family, as was Braigh Bharr and Woodhouse.
It was a great place for any youngster to grow up and I still thank God for giving me the privilege of spending my childhood in the area.
Hope the above may be of interest.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Pingback: Argyll News: Why do we go where we go? | For Argyll