The Camp for Climate Action in Scotland
3-10 August saw a week of low-impact living and high-impact direct action against the root causes of climate change and in support of the Douglas Valley communities and Mainshill Solidarity Camp. Check here regularly for debriefs, feedback and updates on the continuing struggle in Mainshill and across Scotland.
The Mainshill Solidarity Camp is still resisting new coal and needs your support: Click here for travel directions!
Download the camp handbook to get a taste of what we were up to.
What happened?
Between the 3rd and the 10th of August the first Camp for Climate Action was successfully held in Scotland. Climate Camp Scotland occupied Mainshill wood, the site of a proposed new open cast coal mine. The location was chosen in solidarity with local residents who are outraged at the proposed development, and to support a tree-sit already set up in the area to resist the mine.
Why were we there?
Scottish Coal, the UK’s largest open cast producer, has been given permission to mine 1.7 million tonnes of coal from Mainshill Wood in South Lanarkshire by South Lanarkshire Council, a decision that enraged local residents who for years have campaigned against the mine. There are four other mines in the area, making it one of the most heavily mined areas in Europe, as well as an area with the highest cancer rates in Scotland.
What did we do?
Around 150 people attended the camp, greatly raising the profile of this important campaign of resistance in South Lanarkshire. Over the course of the week anonymous activists disabled a coal conveyor belt, gained entry to an estate belonging to Lord Home (a key backer of the development) and played games in his garden, and dumped coal outside South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters.
What next?
Scotland is currently under threat from the development of an additional 20 new mines which have recently been given planning permission. These developments are completely unjust in the face of climate change and serve only to benefit the rich and wealthy, including corporations like Scottish Coal, upper class bureaucrats, and corrupt MPs, MSPs and councilors who refuse to listen to the pleas of their constituents. Coal means misery and death, not just for the thousands of people seriously affected by mining in South Lanarkshire but also for disadvantaged communities around the world who are being hit first and hardest by climate change.
Climate Camp in Scotland has packed up its marquees, but the fight continues – Come to Mainshill Solidarity Camp today!
See: http://coalactionedinburgh.noflag.org.uk/ for more information
See: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/08/435822.html for pictures and media links.
Know your rights!
Should you need up to date legal information and advice following the camp, it is available here. Checkout these websites for some advice on dealing with the police here and here .
Travel Directions:
Shuttle buses will be running frequently between the camp and Lanark train station. Please call the info number 07553215473 to tell us when you need picking up.
Getting to Lanark:
The easiest ways are to go from Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverly/Haymarket train stations. From Glasgow Central trains run directly to Lanark. From Edinburgh, get the Glasgow Central train and change at Motherwell or Holytown, then get on the next train to Lanark. Alternatively from Edinburgh, get a train to Glasgow Central and then one to Lanark form there. From South of the border, going to Glasgow is the easiest way to get to the camp.
Buses from Lanark to the camp:
As well as the shuttle buses, public transport buses run to Douglas from Lanark and Hamilton. The bus drivers are usually happy to stop at the camp, but if not get off at the next stop after the camp, five minutes down the road (A70). You’ll see the camp on your left just after the M74 underpass!
The Service Number 9 (William Stokes & Sons) runs from Lanark - Glespin, stopping in Douglas (service every 49mins past each hour).
Bus from Hamilton:
The X50 (Henderson Travel - http://www.henderson-travel.co.uk/) Hamilton-Glespin runs Hamilton, Interchange - Lesmahagow, Church Hall - Rigside - Douglas, leaving Hamilton at 17:05 (one service per day)
Hitching:
If you hitch, the camp is right next to the M74 which runs from Glasgow to Carlisle. Get dropped of at junction 12 and walk South West down the A70 towards Douglas and the camp is a few hundred metres on your left. Happendon services are close to junction 12 - if you end up there walk South down the B7078, turn right onto the A70 towards Douglas, which takes you under the M74 and as above.
