Riggery-pokery in the Cromarty Firth

Once again a rig arrives, slowly, slowly, with much roaring from accompanying tugs. It's funny. It only takes one tug to tow one out, and a whole menagerie to bring one in.

The blue job at the front delivers the horsepower. The two between it and the rig will shortly nip round the back and put the brakes on to stop it moving. And the two at the rear are guard ships, to scupper another invasion by Greenpeace.

Last time Greenpeace did that we had police here en masse, round the clock, until the boarders were cleared. While the police were hanging around, they checked the tax and insurance on all the cars in Cromarty. A couple of people had their cars impounded, some very heavy fines, and an even heavier bad temper. Mind you, those of us who drive legally had no great sympathy.

The extra shows (L-R) a panorama from wind turbine construction at the Nigg yard, to the other rig I showed you a week ago. A busy place.