First Minister's house hit by airport protest
18.10.08
Campaigners opposed to the expansion of Scotland's airports subjected the First Minister's official residence to an early morning wake-up call when they blasted aircraft noise from a stereo set up outside. Unfortunately for them, he was out at the time!
Members of Plane Stupid, which earlier this year staged a protest on the roof of the Scottish Parliament and also on the Houses of Parliament in London, played the dawn chorus at Bute House in Charlotte Square at 04:00 yesterday.
The protest lasted for half an hour and caused 110 decibels of noise – the equivalent of a jumbo jet taking off. Activists wore pyjamas and ear muffs as they sought to highlight the experience of living in the shadow of a growing airport.
But they later found out that the First Minister - who has the final say on plans to expand Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport - was not at his official residence. A spokesman for his Office said Mr Salmond was away from his home at the time and was therefore unaware of the protest.
Lothian and Borders Police confirmed they had been made aware of the incident and attended the scene at 04:20. However, they said the protest was peaceful and no complaints were received from residents near the scene of the demonstration in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh's New Town.
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