DID you spot the false news in the press just before the New Year? The headline proclaimed “Scotland’s oil boom can last another 30 years”, and of course this is based solely on the Scottish North Sea. Not a squeak about the Scottish Atlantic Margin (SAM) oil and gas sector, which eclipses the Scottish North Sea many, many times over.
READ MORE: Monica Lennon: Scottish Labour must split from UK party
The headline should have proclaimed: “Scottish oil boom can last at least another 100 years or more”. The SAM fields west of Shetland could last 70 or 80 years or more, and the entire SAM oil/gas sector could last 200 years or more. We are talking about oil fields in Scottish waters being the largest in north-west Europe, and the largest in the world. It is so convenient to use only the Scottish North Sea and a short time limit of only 30 years, so people will ask “why should I vote for indy when there is only 30 years of Scottish oil left?”
When we get to the end of that 30 years, there will be another 30 years, then another 30, and another, and so on. Fake news is a wonderful thing if you’re daft enough to believe it!
William C McLaughlin
Thankerton, Biggar
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel