29th Apr 2015

MSP Michael Russell champions the Machrihanish bid in public debate

Speaking during a debate on the spaceport site at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 28th April, Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell argued that Campbeltown was the best choice for the spaceport.

He said: “It has been approved twice for space flight, once by NASA and once by Virgin Galactic, so it does have an advantage over all the contenders.

“It is a community-owned facility, it has 1,000 acres of opportunity it has 50 companies already operating on the site. In every instance and every criteria, there is an argument to be made for Campbeltown that is as good as Prestwick. The potential for creating new jobs, on a community owned site, is very great indeed.

“The time is coming for Cape Campbeltown.”

The item being debated was a motion tabled by MSP for Ayr, John Scott to nominate Prestwick as Scotland’s location of choice for the UK Spaceport bid.

Derek Mackay, Islands and Transport Minister, said: “This won’t be the choice of the Scottish Government, this matter is reserved. We will back both bids and be supportive of both locations.”