Displaying items by tag: Former Scottish ferryport

11th December 2019

Scottish Lorry Park at Stranraer - Negotiations Should Conclude 'Very Soon'

Ferry operator Stena Line has said it hopes to conclude negotiations "very soon" which could allow its old port at Stranraer to be used as a lorry park.

As BBC news reports, the Scottish government revealed the plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit earlier this week.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said there were concerns about traffic flows with Northern Ireland.

A spokesman for the ferry firm, which owns the site, confirmed talks over the move were at an advanced stage.

For more on the story click here

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Lorry Park Negotiations at Former Scottish Ferryport Should Conclude 'Very Soon'

Operator, Stena Line has said it hopes to conclude negotiations "very soon" which could allow its former ferryport at Stranraer in Scotland to be used as a lorry park.

The Scottish government revealed the plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit earlier this week.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said there were concerns about traffic flows with Northern Ireland.

A spokesman for the ferry firm, which owns the site, confirmed talks over the move were at an advanced stage.

For more on the story reports BBC Scotland here.

Afloat adds the port is where the Highspeed Sea-Service (HSS) to Belfast operated until 2011.

The HSS Stena Voyager along with conventinal tonnage was replaced in the same year following a switch of ferryport to nearby Cairnryan. In addition the relocation of the Scottish ferryport saw the introduction of a pair of 'Superfast' ferries.

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.