The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


Oh great, that’s all we need

Posted on January 22, 2013 by

Cue six months of Jim Murphy droning on about the “Arc Of Inflammability”.

Bunnet-doff to alert reader Ray McRobbie.

60 to “Oh great, that’s all we need”

  1. Angus McLellan says:

    Were they caramelising it while in transit? That might be taking just-in-time manufacturing a bit too far.

    Reply
  2. Matt says:

    Heh. Imagine having the infrastructure spending to have a tunnel in such a remote part of Scotland!

    Reply
  3. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    O/T

    I am indebted to Billy King of Blairmore for a suggestion that in the  circumstances the most appropriate makeover for George Square would involve providing more concealing bushes and a nice selection of pansies.

    Reply
  4. Rev. Stuart Campbell says:

    “Billy King”? Someone’s parents have a cruel sense of humour.

    Reply
  5. Tris says:

    Oh well, if that’s what happens in small independent countries, I guess we should all think again…

    Do we have any tunnels in Scotland? 

    Reply
  6. pmcrek says:

    Noticed this over at BBC too:
     
    link to bbc.co.uk
     
     

    Reply
  7. Holebender says:

    Was it the fact that goats cheese was involved that prompted you to mention “Billy”?

    Reply
  8. TamD says:

    Wheeshed man. Dinnae gie them any mare wild ideas

    Reply
  9. Yesitis says:

    Cue six months of Jim Murphy…can you imagine that? In 2013 and beyond, in a modern, forward thinking Scotland; can you imagine anyplace for someone like Jim Murphy, outside of working in a doughnut shop (preferably on Rockall)?

    – No offense to anyone who may work in a doughnut shop.
     

    Reply
  10. Seasick Dave says:

    The Spud was on BBC News tonight putting his tuppence worth in on Defence matters.

    Incidentally, I thought that Reporting Scotland was remarkably upbeat tonight, was Jackie Baillie free and I didn’t change channels before the end.

    I might have to watch again on iPlayer 🙂 

    Reply
  11. Seasick Dave says:

    With regards to Norway, they even proposed a ship tunnel.

    link to ngi.no

    To be fair, I think that the plans have been put on hold but the idea was there. 

    Reply
  12. Ananurhing says:

    Ah well! With an independent Scotland’s economy allegedly being toast, and Norway’s surplus of grilled cheese……sounds like a potentially heavenly union in the making there.

    The arc of grilled cheddary?

    Okay, okay………I’ll get my own coat!   

    Reply
  13. Boorach says:

    Meanwhile over on radio Scotland MW the rev’s favourite former Scotland manager is a pundit for the Celtic Dundee Utd game 

    Reply
  14. MajorBloodnok says:

    In deference to my avatar: “I say, hard cheese.”

    I’ll get me goat.

    Reply
  15. An Duine Gruamach says:

    “Kjell Bjoern Vinje, of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, said it was the first time he could remember cheese catching fire on Norwegian roads.”

    Reply
  16. The Rough Bounds. says:

    That’ll be kids that’s doing it.

    Reply
  17. heraldnomore says:

    nanny state, clearly

    Reply
  18. The Rough Bounds. says:

    …he said in a gruff voice.

    Reply
  19. heraldnomore says:

    with cash mere incidental

    Reply
  20. The Rough Bounds. says:

    Aye, ye’ve goat me there. Off to trim my goatee.

    Reply
  21. Luigi says:

    Cheesy Jim says: “See what happens when you try to goat your own way? More proof that we are all Butter Together!”
     

    Reply
  22. Jeannie says:

    What an unusual article! Definitely a rarebit.
     

    Reply
  23. Westie7 says:

    OT  what are STV on tonight,

    Couldn’t believe they allowed David Hayman that end piece on the Burns prog! Rather stirring or did I hear it wrong? Then we have a wee snippet on the next show about toffs hooses, explaining loosely Mary Queen of Scots Murder!

    Expect Scotland Tonight to be a Labour edition! 

    Reply
  24. Bill C says:

    @Westie7 – Scotland Tonight talking about defence cuts and EU membership (UK I think).

    Reply
  25. dadsarmy says:

    Mmm, apart from the Clyde Tunnel, there’s kind of a 50 metre tunnel alongside Loch Carron between Strathcarron and Stromeferry, I’m sure there’s another wee one somewhere in a town, can’t think. That’s road tunnels. A few rail tunnels.

    Reply
  26. dadsarmy says:

    One way of doing a fondue I suppose.

    Loch Awe (visitor centre)

    Mmm, probably Glen Douglas …

    Reply
  27. Westie7 says:

    Bill C, – That’ll be Skeletor bumping his gums then, expect him to be given an opportunity to tell us how it would be worse after Indy

     

    Reply
  28. Bill C says:

    Westie7 – Don’t see how it can get any worse!

    Reply
  29. Holebender says:

    If you’ve never tried brunost, the taste and texture are a bit like a Caramac. Do they still make Caramacs?
     
    Burning’s about the best thing for brunost, imho.

    Reply
  30. MajorBloodnok says:

    Dads – that’ll be the short bit of tunnel on the A890 south of Attadale (near Plockton)?  I know that one.

    And of course the Union Canal goes through a long tunnel at Falkirk to the Wheel and there is the disused Scotland Street Rail Tunnel in Edinburgh under the New Town.  I was trying to link those in an amusing and politically witty way but nothing came to mind.

    Reply
  31. ianbrotherhood says:

    O/T, but – did anyone watch the BBC Scotland chaps appearing in front of the SP committee today? Interesting stuff.
    I’d love to know who the two dudes directly behind Ken MacQuarrie and John Boothman are – anyone know? The elder of the two exchanged some meaningful glances with Boothman, and at one point showed him his notepad. 
    (For some reason it reminded me of Colin Powell’s appearance at the UN, when he wiggled the phial filled with kid-on anthrax and scared the bejaysus out of everyone in the place – on that occasion he had George Tenet and John Negreponte sitting behind him, looking more like a couple of Mafia hoods than you would think possible for people who weren’t doing it on purpose.)
     

    Reply
  32. Richard McHarg says:

    Holebender, you can still get Caramacs.  They have them in Asda in Livingston.

    Reply
  33. Ray says:

    Been out all night, had no idea you posted this. I still find the headline hilarious. Maybe it’s because I’ve had some whisky. I don’t often have whisky.

    Reply
  34. muttley79 says:

    O/T  I was reading LPW new article and he included Kenny Farquharson’s tweets.  Looks like the Scottish media is already getting behind the report by Trench and co.  No surprise that the think-tank is linked closely to the Labour Party.
     

    It’s sad that SNP is so casually dismissing those who have ambition to advance Scotland’s cause in the event of a No vote.

    Real change in tone in past couple of months. Last year, SNP warmly welcomed Devo Plus etc as useful contributions to debate on our future.

    No mention at all of the No parties rejecting a second question in the referendum.


    Also tiring of the use of a promise made 34 years ago by a man born in 1903 as a block on eminently sensible proposals to advance home rule. 

    Looks like the media are going to go along with Jam Tomorrow then.



    Reply
  35. Keef says:

    I remember as a wee boy the jubilation in our house when Winnie Ewing won the Hamilton by-election in 1967. Her famous line ” stop the world! Scotland wants to get on” is still fondly remembered too. I wonder if this article was how she saw it some 40 odd years ago.
     

    link to nationalcollective.com

     

    Reply
  36. Jeannie says:

    @major bloodnok
     
    I must say your extensive knowledge of Scottish tunnels is impressive…..but I wonder what Freud might think about it.

    Reply
  37. Oldnat says:

    Jeannie

    Clement Freud would probably associate it with brandy snaps. 

    Reply
  38. cath says:


    Looks like the media are going to go along with Jam Tomorrow then.”

    That wouldn’t be surprising at all. They’ll likely go along with whatever the Westminster / No line is. Still, better devo-max than status quo. At least then if it is a no they’ll have an electorate expecting something. Hopefully people won’t be stupid enough to fall for it twice though. 

    Reply
  39. muttley79 says:

    @Keef
     
    My father was a close friend of someone who played an important role in that victory.

    Reply
  40. Keef says:

    Mutley79

    I do hope your kids will be able to express the very same sentiment in years to come with regards this campaign. 

    Reply
  41. Seasick Dave says:

    Just in case you haven’t heard this gem from Sir Clement…

    link to boreme.com

    Enjoy 🙂

    Reply
  42. muttley79 says:

    Another O/T
     
    Saw this on the Guardian:
     
    David Cameron will on Wednesday set a deadline to hold an in-out referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by the end of 2017 as he hardens his position on the issue that has bedevilled Tory leaders for a quarter of a century.

    To the delight of Eurosceptics, the prime minister will throw down the gauntlet to his fellow EU leaders to agree to a revision of Britain’s membership terms within two and a half years of the next general election or risk triggering a British exit.

    In his long-awaited speech on Europe, which has been repeatedly delayed since the autumn, Cameron will pledge no rest until he wins because democratic consent for the EU in Britain is “wafer thin”.
     

    Reply
  43. Seasick Dave says:

    I just noticed that the article was prompted by Ray McRobbie, the guy that wrote a good wee article about being undecided, way back in May.

    If you are reading this Ray, how is the thought process coming along?

    Are you any closer to a definite YES?

    Best regards

    Dave

    Reply
  44. Adrian B says:

    Seasick Dave,

    Ray posted a comment at 11.03.

    Right click on his name and it will take you to his blog. He has written a number of pieces for National Collective – I recommend that you spend some time reading them as they are very good.

    Reply
  45. charlie says:

    I trust Norway to manage their new energy supply, rather than spending ‘ours’ (ie when Thatcher was our colonial governor) on closing every unionised industry in existence.
    Bitter but also twisting the night away 😉
    Referendum question for the UK outside of London – Let’s unite with Norway, what’ya think?

    Solves Shetland ‘problem’ as well 😉

    All the best

    Charlie

    Reply
  46. Ray says:

    “If you are reading this Ray, how is the thought process coming along? Are you any closer to a definite YES?”

    Seasick Dave,

    I am in the middle of writing a bit of an update on my article in May. I just want to make sure it’s not more of the same because some things haven’t changed too much. However, it’s what I see happening around me with other people when talking about the issue that’s the striking thing to me. Since November I’ve been working in Germany but work mainly with folk from Aberdeen and NE England in the oil industry. Talking to these people about the subject, and the Germans themselves, has brought up lots of interesting discussion that I will most probably touch on if I get the bloody piece done!

    Reply
  47. Davy says:

    O/T,
    iwas listening to Radio Scotland and about 20 – 25 minutes past seven, they interviewed Alex Neil about that NHS direct number being free, he used the opportinuity to tear into the BBC’s false reporting about “waiting times” and he tore into the women presenter replys and really did not hold back. IT WAS BRILLIENT.

    You must listen if possible.  

    Reply
  48. James McLaren says:

    There is a tunnel under Glasgow west which passes under the Botanics and surfaces in Maryhill at what was a small yard and is now a supermarket.

    Don’t forget the North electric line in Glasgow and the Clockwork Orange 

    Reply
  49. Seasick Dave says:

    Ray

    Thanks for the update and I look forward to your upcoming article.

    Just remember this is an enormous opportunity to get the Scotland we want.

    A NO vote would be tragic.

    Reply
  50. James McLaren says:

    O/T but

    anybody want a job with MI6?

     http://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/mi6/p13264?WT.mc_id=NWSR_JW_MW_20130123

    We could all apply for Troll positions as Agents Provocateurs in the 2014 referendum debate? 
    Opportunities within MI6 Central London Our work is important. All of it. At MI6, our work is vital. We gather intelligence from around the world to help protect the UK against a range of threats, from terrorism to regional instability. Behind this work you will find our support teams. It’s thanks to their high standards and professionalism that we can concentrate on the security and prosperity of t…
    Opportunities within MI6 etc etc

    Thar reference to regional would be us CyberNats then?

    added later

    the other big job opportunity offer today was with ScrewFix; that would be Westmidden, next door to MI6 then?

    Reply
  51. Dcanmore says:

    @James McLaren
     
    At the bottom of the MI6 advert it probably reads: “Cybernats need not apply, it is YOU that we’re keeping tabs on!” 🙂

    Reply
  52. Luigi says:

    The Faroes have more road tunnels than Scotland.
     

    Reply
  53. James McLaren says:

    Dcanmore

    Just because I am paranoid doesn’t mean they are not out to get me. 

    Reply
  54. Seasick Dave says:

    I got told a funny story about tunnels by an Icelander.

    Where he came from, when he was growing up, the villages were very isolated and cut off by bad weather in the winter.

    Consequently, a lot of inbreeding went on and visiting fishermen were cordially invited to add to the gene pool to keep things a bit more normal!

    In the 80s a tunnel was built which allowed traffic to flow even during the winter months and a lot of the inbreeding stopped.

    The result was that people were known as ‘pre tunnel’ or ‘post tunnel’!

    My friend was pre tunnel 🙂

    Reply
  55. Dcanmore says:

    O/T
     
    Cameron offers EU referendum if Tories win next election. That’s the UKIP vote sorted then.
    link to bbc.co.uk
     
     
    The gift to Scottish Independence that keeps on giving!

    Reply
  56. Luigi says:

    Muttley79 (O/T),
    Interesting development. Three main points to consider, with regard to the YES campaign: 1) The tories now look like winning the next GE (UKIP back in the fold), 2) Labour will panic and also promise an in/out referendum on Europe (probably by Easter), 3) From now on, we probably won’t be hearing many euro-attacks by Farcical Ali and his Better Together chums. Another unionist gun spiked.

    Reply
  57. Luigi says:

    Better together, and out of Europe?

    Reply
  58. dadsarmy says:

    I always presume that all my posts are text scanned automatically (presumably GCHQ) and there’s a trigger when they get passed into the second level of more detailed automatic scanning. If they fail that, they get sent into the third level, and maybe flagged for a manual look. If they fail that, there’s a background check, possibly automated but if neccessary manual. That’s how I’d design it.

    Having mentioned Astute, Trident, Vanguard, HMS Dauntless, HMS Duncan. HMS Montrose and HMS Argyll, Faslane and Coulport in postings, as well as MI5, Mi6 and GCHQ now, Hammond, Murphy and Liam Fox, they know who I am, where I live, and my inside leg measurement. Hopefully they’ve tagged me as fairly harmless!

    Yes, I wonder if activities in Scotland come under MI5 (domestic) or MI6 (foreign)?

    Reply
  59. The Rough Bounds. says:

    @mutley. @Keef
     
    Hamilton SNP victory in ’67?
    The young guy playing the bagpipes when the count was being held was me; I didn’t think I’d experience anything like that feeling ever again, but ….along came 2011.
    God, please let it be Yes in 2014.

    Reply
  60. Luigi says:

    Rough Bounds,
    Good on you. I hope you still have those bagpipes ready for 2014.
     

    Reply


Comment - please read this page for comment rules. HTML tags like <i> and <b> are permitted. Use paragraph breaks in long comments. DO NOT SIGN YOUR COMMENTS, either with a name or a slogan. If your comment does not appear immediately, DO NOT REPOST IT. Ignore these rules and I WILL KILL YOU WITH HAMMERS.


  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a thing that exists.

    Stats: 6,790 Posts, 1,222,739 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

  • Recent Comments

    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Have it your way, YL Sah! Only, your way, the Declaration of Arbroath is hoaching with lies. Whoops 🙂Jul 26, 04:32
    • Young Lochinvar on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “He’s thrown himself into the arena of public consciousness. Taking notes in his book of grudges and pulling his nostril…Jul 26, 02:14
    • Young Lochinvar on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Fingers crossed. I suspect there is a lot of money backing it though..Jul 26, 01:58
    • Young Lochinvar on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Just exactly the same “green and pleasant England” propping up failed Scotchland too wee too poor too stupid, begging bowl…Jul 26, 01:42
    • Young Lochinvar on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Correct. It was a dynastic takeover following on from the Picts apparently taking the biggest hit (hierarchy wise) from standing…Jul 26, 01:31
    • Mark Beggan on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “The damage is being acutely felt across every sector. This Upton maniac has not only shown himself for what he…Jul 26, 00:28
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “What makes you think it was an accident, Rob? The sterling efforts by the Covid Spreaders, long after it had…Jul 26, 00:27
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “What make you think it was an accident, Rob? The sterling efforts by the Covid Spreaders, long after it had…Jul 26, 00:24
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: ““Do the Norwegians lie in their beds at night fretting over whether their country has an impact out of proportion…Jul 26, 00:14
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Given the historical concerns over the damage to the environment (and human health) caused by female hormones found in fresh…Jul 26, 00:05
    • Rob on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Everyone believed it was possible, it has been for some considerable time. What no-one believed was that it was possible…Jul 25, 23:54
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Northcode breaking entirely new ground on Wings BTL. He’s been colonised to the power of two. Colonised squared in other…Jul 25, 23:51
    • robertkknight on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: ““However there is no doubt that we had an impact out of proportion to our size. The problem will be…Jul 25, 23:49
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “3-YEAR-OLD WITH PUBERTY SYMPTOMS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FATHER’S ‘SEX CHANGE’ DRUGS A three-year-old has experienced signs of puberty after exposure…Jul 25, 23:22
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: ““ardent nationalists for a madeup “country” they couldn’t find on a map” What was it the Burns boy wrote? Something…Jul 25, 23:01
    • Northcode on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “This: People who identified themselves as Picts formed a majority group in the new kingdom, and most of them remained…Jul 25, 23:01
    • Nae Need! on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Yip. A criminal mafia. And a disgusting bunch of perverts to boot.Jul 25, 22:22
    • Nae Need! on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “:=)) you’re no wrong.Jul 25, 22:19
    • Mark Beggan on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Call me anglophobic but there’s a little England in NHS Fife.Jul 25, 22:10
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “@Rob I suspect you may be new on here. So you won’t know that according to the usual Wings BTL…Jul 25, 22:04
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Marie, as a Scottish Republican and Christian, I’ll post this comment here if I may — SOME HISTORICAL SCOTTISH CONTRIBUTIONS…Jul 25, 21:54
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “@Rob says: 24 July, 2025 at 1:54 pm All that needs to be said, and can be said, to summarise…Jul 25, 21:49
    • Aidan on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “EvidenceJul 25, 21:46
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “FFS, Marie. Open the een the Guid Gowd gave ye. Learn to deal with the world as it is -…Jul 25, 21:38
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: ““Tnere’s no two way’s about it.” Erm… two way’s of what?Jul 25, 21:32
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Good to see you self-identifying as a Pict, NC. I can happily address my racist bigotry at you. And I…Jul 25, 21:30
    • Xaracen on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: ““Yes – you’re happy to waffle endlessly about how the treaty doesn’t “subordinate” Scotland to England, but as soon as…Jul 25, 21:26
    • Andrew scott on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Uphisbottom went out of HIS way to create confrontation The barstewardJul 25, 21:23
    • Hatey McHateface on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Their chromosomes? Ah ken we believe it to be impossible. But only a few years ago we all kent that…Jul 25, 21:22
    • sarah on Everybody’s Normal Nowadays: “Interesting to read elsewhere that Upton kicked up a row on a placement at another hospital. On a home visit…Jul 25, 21:20
  • A tall tale



↑ Top