Torness

We went for a visit to Torness Nuclear Power Station.  I only recently realised that you can visit, but visits have been possible since it opened in the late 1980s, bar a few years after 9/11.

It is surprisingly interesting and our guide encouraged us to recommend it to others, which I do.  The tour is free, lasts about an hour and a half and you can see all sections through glass viewing areas, including the very 1970s looking control room. They often have school groups visiting. Bookings must be made at least 3 weeks in advance, and you must take passports for ID.  No phones or any recording devices allowed inside, so my blip had to be taken outside the main gate. 

It was just the two of us and our guide... oh, and a fully armed CNC officer (Civic Nuclear Constabulary) who explained that his job was to protect the fuel, not citizens.

The power station along with Hunterston supplies 40% of Scotland's power.  Hunterston is due to be decommissioned in 2023, and Torness in 2030.  Since it takes around 15 years to plan a new station, unless the huge gap can be filled by other means, we may be using candlelight in years to come.