Latest news with #McColl
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
I opposed Galloway National Park for very good reasons
My own opposition to the proposal stemmed from spending my teens on the edge of an English national park and experiencing first-hand the impact of increased tourism in an area without the infrastructure to support it. The impact included significant increases in house prices as a result of second homes/holiday lets forcing young people out, a problem exacerbated by the low-paid, seasonal work that increased tourism brought. Those who argue that a national park would help stem the declining population in Galloway perhaps don't have that experience. READ MORE: Scottish Government scraps plans for Galloway national park As for the environmental impact, Galloway already has the Biosphere, the Galloway Forest Park, the Cairnsmore National Nature Reserve, RSPB reserves etc etc – all without a national park. I cannot understand how increasing tourist traffic into the area will 'improve' an already protected environment. Further, as a supporter of Scottish independence, I believe that the economic future of an independent Scotland will be far better served by growing our renewable energy resources than by increasing tourism. Norway doesn't depend on tourists, neither should we. You reported only recently on how much investment and jobs renewable energy will bring to the Highlands – significantly more than tourism and with high-skilled jobs and new housing built in. It is very disappointing that none of those you quote in your report acknowledge that a clear majority of respondents to the consultation said 'no thanks'. I am delighted that the Scottish Government has accepted the majority view here. Lisa Smith Newton Stewart IN his article 'Time to give McColl another crack at running shipyard' (May 26), Kenny MacAskill makes some interesting claims. He states 'the failings at Ferguson Marine fundamentally rest with others', ie not Mr McColl. Well, Mr McColl was responsible for Ferguson Marine when the ferries contract was signed in 2015. He wasn't forced to accept its terms. He was still responsible in 2019 when the company went into administration with debts of £70 million, leading to its nationalisation. Trying to absolve Mr McColl of any responsibility is a bit like saying 'a big boy did it and ran away". READ MORE: I do not share Kenny MacAskill's optimism about Ferguson yard Mr MacAskill also claims that currently, 'the ratio of suits in the offices to workers in overalls is ridiculously out of kilter'. Does he have the figures to justify this claim – or is he making it up? My understanding of the facts of this fiasco has been gained courtesy of our 'unbiased' media. However, I am aware that companies bidding for major construction/engineering/IT projects will sometimes submit bids which are at or even below cost. They assume that 'variations' will arise during the contract and negotiations on these will bring the contract into profit. I have no idea if this is the case here. Douglas Morton Lanark IN his letter of May 28, James Murphy advocates that some of us lay down our lives for independence. That would certainly result in some interesting headlines around the world. To be honest, most countries have gone down that road in the past, including Scotland against England! I've just celebrated my 70th birthday, so how does James expect me to fight a young, trained soldier? Yes, I could set booby traps but it is usually the innocent that get hurt, maimed, or killed by them. With guns you have other problems and again many innocent people get killed. How often have we heard of children being killed or maimed in a war zone, and it is a war zone that James is asking us to set up. READ MORE: Shouldn't all of our efforts be focused on de facto referendum route? Then it comes down to who do we attack first? The police are always in attendance at independence marches but they are not the enemy and many of them support our cause. Another factor to consider if we take up arms, is that Westminster will surely send in Scottish and Welsh troops to quell any revolt. Again, many of them will be sympathetic with our cause. The powers-that-be will take a severe case of brown underpants about sending in English troops and our argument is not against the English troops. There are certain Unionist factions who would love to have a bit of blood to be spilled, but most times we don't see any of them at marches and when they do turn up they're outnumbered by about 1000 to one. Alexander Potts Kilmarnock
The National
7 days ago
- Business
- The National
It's time for McColl to be given another crack at Ferguson Marine
For storm clouds are yet again gathering over the last shipyard on the Lower Clyde. Yet, it just shouldn't be so. It is only just over a decade since all seemed secured when Jim McColl took over the yard. Rightly, that was universally welcomed, and the future looked bright. After all, Scotland is a nation with numerous islands and archipelagos requiring ships and ferries, not for a cruise but for literally lifeline services – upon which communities depend for their very existence. Meanwhile, the Clyde was synonymous with shipbuilding on its upper and lower banks. READ MORE: Man charged following crossbow incident at Glasgow hospital Clydebank was formed from the expansion of yards on the Upper Clyde. On the Lower Clyde, not just Fergusons but Scott Lithgow further down the river in Greenock were the bedrock of the towns. Fergusons shutting down would be devastating in an area already challenged by unemployment and deprivation. Building the ships our communities need in yards with a heritage and skill base was frankly a no-brainer. McColl intended to not just secure the yard but expand into other sites on the river as work increased. The age of the CalMac fleet, with repeated breakdowns, means there will be new orders year after year for decades to come. Then those being built will need replaced and on it should go. The construction and servicing of offshore wind requires ships and boats. Are we really going to see them built abroad as is shamefully happening with the bulk of the turbines being installed? Is this to be yet another aspect of an unjust transition? We need ferries and boats, we need the industrial and skills base, and we need the work from our renewables. But there has been a catalogue of failures and McColl was supplanted at Fergusons by the Scottish Government. The situation has worsened and the future looks grim. The yard has struggled with the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa and the order book beyond the latter is empty. There needs to be an inquiry into what has gone wrong. Millions have been wasted, the delays are inexplicable and the budget overrun criminal. But none of that is the fault of those who work on the ferries or indeed in the yard. Instead, it's down to catastrophic failures by those in charge and it's costing us all a fortune given the level of state financial support required. The wrong organisation was put in charge of procurement, the wrong ferries were acquired, and the wrong people are now trying to sort things. Ferries owner CMAL should be abolished –it's a quango too far and its actions have been catastrophic. Let CalMac decide what ships it wants. The dual fuel LNG/marine diesel model was absurd and lies at the heart of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa failures. What the future holds for those ships, who knows, but other vessels needed for our country will not be using that frankly ludicrous design. The contract was also signed off on the direct instructions of the Scottish Government without the full terms being agreed. Hence the costs increased as problems and aspects not factored in arose. Now a Fergusons board which I would say lacks knowledge and experience is presiding over a revolving door of CEOs, all paid off at huge expense, while the ratio of suits in the offices to workers in overalls is ridiculously out of kilter. So, what needs to be done? Lease in vessels from wherever to address the immediate needs for vulnerable communities. But at the same time ensure that future orders for the CalMac fleet go to Fergusons, not to Turkey or the Mersey as with recent ones. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has rightly announced a direct award to CalMac for operating the service and it should do likewise with Fergusons for building them. That would provide the vessels for the communities which need them and the work for the yard that equally requires it. But there also needs to be a change in management at the yard. There's been something wrong there and it's not with the skills of the workers. Maybe it's time to go back to the future. Lease or sell the yard to McColl again and let him have another go at joining the dots between what Scottish island communities need and the work Scottish shipbuilding towns require. It's not rocket science but part of keeping an industrial base in our country, especially when skilled work is being lost in the North Sea and at Grangemouth. McColl has a track record of success in his business ventures – the failings at Ferguson Marine fundamentally rest with others – and, most importantly, he has a vision of what we need for our country and communities. What was right before remains so today. We need ferries, we need shipbuilding, and we need an industrial base not just to be a theme park or cruise liner destination. Sort out the management but save the yard.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Cambuslang Rangers boss blasts 'lack of fight' as they lose crucial game in relegation fight
Paul McColl's side are now sweating over Clydebank's Lowland League bid Cambuslang Rangers boss Paul McColl has blasted his side's 'lack of fight' after losing 4-2 at Bonnyton Thistle in their West of Scotland Second Division finale on Saturday. The defeat leaves Camby one point ahead of third-bottom Yoker Athletic, which would usually be enough to avoid the drop. However, should Clydebank lose their play-off on Sunday against Musselburgh Athletic for entry into the Lowland League – currently poised at 1-1 – the bottom four in each of the top four leagues will be relegated, leaving Shotts, Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Cambuslang and Glasgow United sweating over the outcome. However, McColl says his side haven't been good enough all season. He fumed: 'There are guys who are playing in the team who are not good enough, and that's just a fact – they need to move on. 'Us struggling in the Second Division isn't right. Teams paying nowhere near as much as us are above us, and that's embarrassing. 'That's why we're in this position, because guys are turning up when they want. Time-keeping is abysmal, and it has gone on too long. 'It has been a poor season and everybody needs to take the blame, but Saturday wasn't good enough and I'm really disappointed with it. 'It was a poor end of the season game and nobody was up for the fight to win it, and they should have been. 'Conditions were hard for both teams, it was absolutely melting, but we were really poor and I can't have that standard next season.' On the game, McColl said: 'I missed the second half but we lost a goal in a minute, which is abysmal, and has happened again and again. 'I don't know what the centre-half or the goalie are doing, there's no shouting, they miss it, and the guy just scores. 'At the second one a guy who can't even run has gone past a couple of our players and hit a shot that has gone in. 'Carlos Lyon missed a penalty in the first half, but scored one in the second half. 'We went in 2-0 down at half-time and they came back alright in the second half, but it's just a poor season. 'We were abysmal in the first half, and seemingly we were a bit better in the second half, which I missed, but that's as bad as I've seen, and in an important game like that. 'We just need to hope that Clydebank do us a turn.'
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Cambuslang Rangers give survival hopes a boost, but still face Clydebank sweat
Camby are a win away from ensuring they're not in the bottom three, but four teams may still drop down Cambuslang Rangers gave their survival hopes a major boost with a shock 2-1 win over title-chasing Muirkirk, but will still face a sweat to see if they stay up. Goals from Carlos Lyon and Fraser Robertson left Camby 13th in the West of Scotland Division, a point above Yoker Athletic, with three clubs currently going down to next season's Third Division. McColl's side visit mid-table Bonnyton in Saturday's league finale, while Yoker clash with a Neilston side that must win if they are to be crowned champions. That could leave the Wee Gers in a good position, but should Clydebank lose their play-off against East of Scotland club Musselburgh Athletic, that would leave an 'extra' club in the WoSFL, meaning four teams go down from each of the top three leagues. Clydebank and Musselburgh play for a place in the Lowland League on May 17 and 25, with a number of clubs waiting on the outcome. McColl said: 'It's a great result, and it has dug us out of a hole that we were in, because it means now that Yoker need to beat Neilston, who are a good side and going for the title. 'They will be out to win the title, while Yoker haven't won in eight games. 'But you just don't know what's happening with this stupid league. 'If we win or draw on Saturday, and Yoker get beat, and that confirms we're fourth-bottom, we need to then wait on Clydebank's play-offs to know what's happening, which is pathetic. 'After Saturday I want to say to players that I want to keep them for next season, but we can't do that, and players are players – within a week or two they'll leave. 'If we win, we'll be fine, and if we win by a decent score-line, and Forth lose a few goals and get beat, we could go above them.' McColl missed Saturday's win as he attended a family wedding, but was pleased with the report he got from assistant Stevie Marsden. Lyon had Camby ahead, Muirkirk missed a penalty, but levelled in 93 minutes – only for Robertson to add a clincher two minutes later. McColl said: 'They pulled that one out of the bag, nobody expected that apart from me and Stevie, because we have that many good players. 'To be fair to Muirkirk, their manager Ross Cusick, sent me a text to say 'well done', so I hope they get promoted. 'That was a bit of class.'
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Fuming Cambuslang Rangers boss claims poor ref standard 'will cost club'
Paul McColl insists 'poor decisions' are massively impacting on games Furious Cambuslang Rangers boss Paul McColl blasted referee Steven Clark for his handling of their 3-0 derby defeat at home to Lanark United, and says the standard is going to cost them. McColl insists he's not a sore loser, but said the young whistler made baffling decisions for both sides during the game, including sending off Aaron McNeil in 25 minutes for two fouls. Three 3-0 defeats on the bounce have left Camby just a point above the relegation zone, and McColl says they need wins in their last two games. Seething McColl said: 'There wasn't a lot in the game, but every second week our referee is ghastly, and now it's beyond a joke – something needs to be done. 'Before the game started he moaned about Carlos Lyon's socks, he fixed them. He held the game up for five minutes, then tells us to put cones out as an area for the management team, when we just stand at the dug-out. 'The game got delayed for about six minutes because of him. One of Lanark's players had black Under Armour on, nobody even noticed, and the ref told him to take it off, so that was another two minutes. 'He sent one of our guys off in 25 minutes for two tackles. The first one wasn't even a foul, the second one he's trying to have a shot, a defender goes to block, and he's kicked him slightly. 'When you're down to 10 men for 65 minutes it does make a difference, and that was never a red card. 'The ref was abysmal and cost us the game. I've never seen anything as poor in all my life. 'But when the game was at 0-0, we missed an absolute sitter. It was a great free kick from Carlos, a good save, and Nicky Hardy has put it over the bar.' Camby aren't in action again until they visit Muirkirk on May 10, with Bonnyton Thistle the following weekend, and McColl reckons they may need two wins to survive. He said: 'I'm not a bad loser, if we get beat we get beat fair, but every week or every second week we're getting refs who shouldn't be anywhere near this level. 'In seven games we've had red cards and we've not won any of those games – that's not a coincidence. 'You're not going to win a game when you get a man sent off, and I'm going to guess at least four of them shouldn't have happened. 'It's costing us, big time. Refs are throwing cards about like confetti and it's out of hand. 'We've got two games left, we might need to win the two of them, maybe one, we just don't know at this point. 'A few teams round about us won at the weekend, and that makes me even more annoyed.'
