BREAKING: Protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament on November 1, 2023, voicing strong opposition to the proposed Moray Flow Park, a controversial industrial storage facility off the Moray coast. A coalition of 32 activists from Findhorn, Nairn, Burghead, and Edinburgh made their presence felt, even as many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) chose not to engage.
The demonstration, organized by the Moray Firth No to the Flow Park campaign, aimed to draw attention to concerns over the £1.83 million grant awarded to Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) for the project. Campaign leader Alastair Macdonald, who traveled from Findhorn aboard an electric coach, reported significant enthusiasm among the demonstrators, many of whom were participating in their first protest.
“Most of us had never been in the Scottish Parliament or been involved in a demonstration before, but we soon found our voices, with homemade placards, banners, and even a tambourine!” Macdonald stated.
The protesters were met by several Highland MSPs, including Tim Eagle and Fergus Ewing, who acknowledged their concerns. However, the atmosphere turned somber when the parliamentary chamber emptied just before the debate titled “Recognising Concerns Regarding Moray Flow-Park.” Despite the lack of attendance, at least one member from each party remained to hear the debate.
During the discussions, MSPs pressured Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, to clarify why the government could not pause the grant funding to OSG. The decision, made without prior public consultation or environmental impact assessments, raised alarms among the protesters and observers alike.
“This decision was made with no due diligence to establish why it was awarded to a company with only a couple of employees and a net capital of only around £131,000,” Macdonald emphasized. “This seems ludicrous and worrying.”
While the debate was described as productive by Macdonald, the overall lack of engagement from the chamber was disheartening. “It was disappointing that it was held in a fairly empty chamber,” he lamented.
OSG’s plan involves the development of large floating platforms to utilize seabed areas for anchorage, a critical component of the Scottish Government’s plan to meet its 2028 offshore wind targets. Despite the pushback, Martin explained that the decision to grant funding lies with Scottish Enterprise, leaving the government powerless until a formal application is submitted.
The campaign is gaining momentum, with plans for additional protests and fundraising events. “Next week our full committee will discuss the next steps: more campaigning and beach protests; fundraising events; and direct connections with people and organizations who can help us,” Macdonald confirmed.
With growing public interest and a well-organized campaign, the Moray Firth No to the Flow Park movement is determined to keep the pressure on decision-makers. The urgency of their message has never been clearer, as residents continue to mobilize against what they view as a threat to their community and environment.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story evolves.
