A watched generator...

...never spins up to grid speed.   

That might be a proverb for our times because I have been at a number of openings of wee hydro power schemes at which it has taken quite a time to get the generator fully functioning after the button was pressed.   That is the awkward moment when those who have masterminded these very impressive projects talk about almost anything while they watch (nervously) the little green panel that tells them when the magic  starts to work and the power of water becomes converted into power for the grid providing there is enough water in the header - something that should be no problem in Argyll of course, but sometimes is as it was today after a few dry days. 

Of course it happens  eventually, as it did  this afternoon at Kilfinan Community Forest which I have blipped before and which is a very impressive enterprise.  I had been asked to open the new scheme so there was a ribbon across the control box and round the generator.   There were also lots of very pleased members of the Forest board and from the village including some children from the local primary school in Tighnabruaich whose future is now that little bit more secure as a result of community initiative, enterprise and hard work. 

I came to the opening from a very interesting seminar on Deer and Forests in Cowal organised by local businesses which gave me much food for thought with regard to both the Land Reform Bill and the wider issue of deer management which is crucial in Scotland's rural areas.  

I went on from the opening to spend a couple of hours in my office in Dunoon - the first time I have been able to do that in a fortnight - and then went by ferry over to Paisley to speak at George Adam's campaign launch and fundraiser.    I managed to catch the 9.30 ferry back , getting home about 45 minutes later after a full day, week, fortnight and month !