To infinity...and beyond!

[Trapper]

Just read this today.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... -20761359/

Good idea? Bad idea?

[LANDROVER ROGER]

I think that some entrepreneur should renovate the Keil Hotel in readiness.

[£3.73]

Good or bad ... it's at least worth following up !

Do we have anyone from here on the case ? Are phone calls and emails being exchanged ?
Who's remit does it fall under? Is the MSP chasing it, are councillors chasing it ?
What are the RAF saying? Does Virgin Galactic chairman Will Whitehorn like golf?
If so get him down here for a complimentary round ! (don't knock it, it lured Carphone Warehouse here)

Most importantly and realistically, what would the Sound of Kintyre residents have to say about it?

C'mon, on the principle that you make your own luck in this life, let's at least make sure that our representitives are aware of this (I'm sure they will be), and are doing everything possible in the event there may be a business opportunity !!!

It would be worth it for the prestige and media exposure alone !

Apathy kills

[EMDEE]

This could help to create a high flying economy!

[4th gen Suthen']

65,000 already signed up a t £100k a shot.....crisis, what crisis?

Aye, get them to Machrihanish, I am sure the Sound of Kintyre folk wont mind.

[Beachcomber]

Methinks the NIMBYs will be out in force...

[jowett63]

I stay at SOK and think it would be amazing to see spaceflights use the base, so I have just logged onto www.virginagalactic.com and used their "Ihave an Idea" function to leave a message stressing the benefits of them using RAF Machrihanish as a future spaceport. Maybe if a few more folk do this they will be convinced of the warm welcome they will get here and ditch Lossiemouth. What can we lose? Here is a copy of the message I left:

You are looking at other future spaceports and I have read that Lossiemouth in Scotland is favoured. Please do a serious study of the mothballed airbase at Machrihanish on the Kintyre Peninsular. It has the following unparalleled combination of benefits:
A huge and largely unused runway that is a contingency field for NASA flights
Many redundant but still maintained buildings that could readily be used as dorms, training classes. Unlike Lossiemouth these are empty now.
Existing commercial airlinks to a main hub airport - Glasgow
A pool of friendly labour very skilled in welcoming tourists
Many other stunning local attractions for space tourists to visit while they are doing their week of pre-flight prep including 4 fantastic golf courses and a number of hotels under development
Seaside site in a very underpopulated area - in case something goes wrong!
Possiblity of many grants from local and national development funds.
Potential to be carbon neutral via wind farm carbon offset....we get some good breezes.
You would be barmy to go to the expensive and overdeveloped North when this gem of a base is there just ready to spring back to life.


I'm sure there are many other benefits I didn't remember!