Radio Scotland memories

Radio Scotland began broadcasting at ten minutes to midnight on Hogmanay, 31st December 1965. Based on the former Irish light-ship, the Comet, the station had an eventful life, anchored initially off the east coast of Scotland, then the west, then off Northern Ireland and then, finally, back off the east coast of Scotland again. Radio Scotland closed down when the Marine Offences legislation came into effect at midnight on 14th August 1967. For nearly twenty months the station that “swings to you on 242” entertained millions in Scotland, Ireland and northern England. Many thanks to Ben Healy, Hans Knot, George Morris, Kenny Tosh and Richard Crichton for providing these items of memorabilia.

Click on the picture above to see the plans of the Radio Scotland ship, the Comet, kindly provided by former disc-jockey Ben Healy. Ben has also donated some fascinating press cuttings dating from his time with the station.	Click on the image, above, to see a three page letter from August 1966 describing Radio Scotland, generously donated by Hans Knot.	This, above, is the front cover of a booklet about Radio Scotland. Click on it to see all sixteen pages. With grateful thanks to Richard Crichton.
Autographed photo of Managing Director Tommy Shields. Picture by Studio A, provided by George Morris. Mr. Shields in the opening minutes of Radio Scotland, just before midnight on 31st December 1965 (duration 54 seconds)	A couple of recordings from 1966: Jack McLaughlin on a Swing Across Midday Show (duration 2 minutes 58 seconds)   Bob Spencer on the Uptown Scene (duration 2 minutes 43 seconds). Both clips kindly donated by Kenny Tosh DJs and crew in 1967. Photo published by the Free Radio Association and provided by George Morris. Left to right: Tim Yale, Drew Hamlyn, chief engineer John Lumsden, Bob Spencer, ship's cook Pat Taylor.... and a couple of unknown crew-members. Thanks to Ben and Raoul for their help in naming most of the group but can anyone identify the last two?	The Comet. A commercially available postcard, kindly supplied by George Morris. Some clips from Radio Scotland's first programme: David Kinnaird chats to fellow presenters Paul Young, Stuart Henry, Charlie White, Pete Bowman, Larry Marshall and Bob Spencer. Recording courtesy of The Offshore Radio Archive (duration 5 minutes 51 seconds)
Both sides of a reception report card, donated by Hans Knot.	Letter from Promotions Manager, Doug Carmichael. The Comet seems to have shrunk since the letter at the top of the page was written! Click to enlarge letter. Donated by Hans Knot.	In March 1967 Radio Scotland was prosecuted for broadcasting inside territorial waters off Troon in the Firth of Clyde. The station closed down. The ship had to be moved to a new anchorage. A proposed tow to a position in the Firth of Forth was cancelled at the last minute because of a gale warning and, two weeks later, the ship was still silent. Because of the continuing bad weather, the directors decided not to go round the north coast of Scotland but to anchor off Ireland instead. Click on the headline, above, to see press coverage of the station's brief stay off Northern Ireland and to hear some recordings.

More memories on page two.