About T in the Park

T in the Park is a major music festival that has been held annually in Scotland since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. T in the Park was originally a two-day festival but since 2007 has taken place over three days, and introduced in 2008 was the chance to upgrade a weekend camping ticket to allow camping access on the Thursday – the day before any musicians performed. The festival is promoted by Big Day Out. It takes place on the same weekend as Oxegen in Ireland and shares a very similar line-up each year.

As well as the main seven stages of music, there are large camping areas to cater for the majority of festival-goers who stay for the duration of the event. There are also various concession stalls and shops provided, as well as other attractions, such as a large funfair, complete with Big Wheel.

Caring for the Environment

T in the Park is now one of only two CarbonNeutral events in the UK (the other being DF Concert’s Connect festival) T in the Park is the largest CarbonNeutral festival in the world and continues year on year to reduce its impact on the environment through its working practices, looking to make improvements year on year.

T in the Park is more concerned about its impact on the environment than ever before and has taken many steps to exercise a greener approach. The event went CarbonNeutral for the second year running in 2007, it uses low-energy light bulbs and a carefully considered fuel-system.

T in the Park also canvasses the support of its attendees, which they are doing with great enthusiasm. The beautiful Balado site sits near Loch Leven, a Site of Special Scientific Interest which means all T in the Parkers are encouraged to bring phosphate free soap to site. Citylink’s bus services are advocated as the greenest way to travel to the event and once there, T in the Park asks for festival-goers assistance to recycle what they can at the recycling points provided.

This request has not gone unheeded with participation in 2007’s cup recycling scheme reaching the 75% mark. The initiative introduced in 2006 was expanded in 2007; a 10p deposit, added to the price of each pint, was returned when the cup was returned to a designated recycling point. This was a huge success, over 75% of cups were returned meaning that the co-operation of T in the Parkers made a huge difference to the overall tidiness of the site, and of course the environment.

Chatelherault in the distance, where the trees all spookily grow to the same height.

Taken on the site of the old village of Bothwellhaugh, previously home to about 2000 people. It’s marked by a cairn. Apparently, one of my my great grampas used to work at the pit here.

It is incredibly difficult to get time for photos while I’m working all day and need to get home quickly afterwards. It’s too dark, too wet, so I grab chances like this when I can.

By Alexander Lawrie
 
DOZENS of truckers descended on Edinburgh city centre yesterday in a protest over the rising cost of fuel.
 
Around 130 trucks from all over Scotland congregated at Strathclyde Park before the large convoy moved slowly along the M8 to the capital.
 
The protest was co-organised by trade magazine Courier Direct who are incensed about the escalating costs, and believe the current fuel prices are damaging the haulage business.
 
It follows similar protests in London and Wales last month.
 
As the fleet of trucks crawled its way towards the Scottish Parliament, scores of pedestrians and shop-keepers lined the streets to offer their support to the beleaguered drivers.
 
Brian Regan, managing editor of Courier Direct, said: “We are here to send a message out to the government to cut fuel tax duty as the current prices are crippling the industry.
 
“To begin with, we are hoping to persuade the government to cut prices immediately by at least 25p.
 
“It’s really great to see the general public and other motorists give us their backing because we are doing this for everybody, not just the trucking industry.
 
The convoy was not officially endorsed by the Road Haulage Association which plans to lobby MP’s at Westminster next month.
 
It was also evident that not all haulage companies in Scotland were backing the protest, with Eddie Stobart being the main company posted missing.
 
Steven Montgomery, of Montgomery Transport in Lockerbie, said: “It’s a shame that not all hauliers joined in the protest because we need everybody in the business to back the dispute.
 
“It is not a case of trying to cause any disruption, but more of a message to the government that we just can’t go on like this for much longer.
 
“I’ve already had to lay three drivers off in the last year because of the huge fuel costs we are being forced to pay.”
 
The estimated 130 trucks parked near to the parliament, and the drivers marched on foot, behind three designated trucks, to hand in their petition to Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson.
 
Edinburgh’s motorists kept their cool as the city’s traffic ground to a halt for around half an hour as the drivers made their way to Holyrood.

And local shopkeepers and pedestrians stood and applauded as they walked past.
 
Kathy Laidlaw, of local shop Cameron’s Upholsterers, said: “I’m in full support of the protest, as every small business in the country is affected by the huge prices.
 
“The cost of fuel affects us as well as the truckers, and a few shops round here have had to close.
 
“It seems a way of life is disappearing around here because of the huge costs involved of running a business.”
 
David Conroy, who lives near to the Parliament, said: “I think the truckers are quite right to protest. How else can they get their message across to the government?
 
“As for the inconvenience, it’s only one day so other motorists will just have to put up with it, simple as that.
 
“After all, the truckers are trying to help them too.”
 
The hauliers were also joined on the protest by courier companies from across the country.
 
Jerry Stewart, Director at Eagle Couriers, said: “In the courier industry fuel is one of the most important components of your business.
 
“For years prices have been steadily rising and now they are at a ridiculous all-time high, with oil priced at around $130 a barrel.
 
“The courier industry is utterly dependent on fuel. It is time to start reassessing our use of petrol and diesel as the world seems to be changing and there is fuel crisis after fuel crisis. There are only so many crises the industry can survive.
 
“We need as many people as possible – whether from the haulage and courier industries or just normal motorists – to show their support for initiatives like this if they are to have any impact and help drive fuel prices down.”
 
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact of fuel duty rises on communities and businesses across Scotland, particularly for our rural and island communities, where fuel costs represent a significant cost burden.
 
“We are working with representatives from across industry to press Westminster for change to protect Scottish interests.”

Been busy for past few. Sister visiting. Neglecting blogging. Normal service etc.

Took sister and Erin to t’park today.

Erin’s going through a “look at me, daddy!” phase. With absolutely everything. She cracks me up.

Face-first into a puddle of mud. Too funny not to get a photay.