Glasgow visit

01/20/2005

Once more I have an early start to my day, I find this difficult as the natural rhythym is to hibernate until the gales subside, or at least to sleep ‘til daylight. I rattle to Glasgow in the estate van to collect supplies and parts that are only obtainable there. I am fascinated by the number of engineering workshops, metal smiths, wrights and proper joiners. I visit these old fashioned places and watch in wonder at the skills of the craftsmen. The Trollaigh fortunes stem from the Clyde, first as early coppersmiths, then shipbuilding and finally ship owning, the blue and white “Diamond T” house flag has flown proudly for three generations across the seven seas.Why do we not value manufacturing and manual skills anymore? Who am I to talk, my van is assembled in Portugal, my wristwatch in France and at least fifty percent of my casual wardrobe comes from China. Heaven forbid a natural or civil disaster that makes Britain survive on its own. We would go hungry, have nothing to wear, have no fuel or spare parts for our transport systems or power generation. I am sure that as a nation we would use our great ingenuity to overcome our difficulties, but why are we not planning for it now? Why must we accept watery bacon, produced in a country where animal welfare legislation is ignored, when it’s easy to farm pigs here? Because, Tesco can make more profit and it’s advertised on TV. My business is complete by lunchtime and with some difficulty I resist the temptation of a white tablecloth and silver service luncheon, and turn north. My thoughts as well as my bones are assaulted on the terrible ten mile stretch of the A82 between Tarbet and Ardlui. This road, a major gateway to north west Scotland, would be a disgrace in a minor Balkan state. This area comes under the control of The National Park Authority which was to streamline, manage and protect the infrastructure. Is this the “New Britain”, a handful of sub-contractors with shovels in white vans, on top of a pyramid of thousands of worthless quasi civil servants in Authorities, Agencies, Quangos. They interfere in everything but their own salaries and pensions, on which 99% of the project budget is spent, whilst the road surface is a spring and axle breaker, covered in floodwater and surrounded by disgusting piles of litter. Welcome to Bonnie Scotland. I toast the health of President Blair in an early and much needed Ardbeg. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.