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ACTIVISTS who staged a day-long protest outside one of Ross-shire's major employers voiced solidarity with local oil workers "who have no future" and defended action aimed at saving the planet.

The Extinction Rebellion Scotland action outside the Port of Cromarty Firth base in Invergordon saw activists "locking" themselves on to oil barrel props, calling for the decommissioning of rigs and appealing for a transition to "green" jobs in tune with the climate emergency which will be the focus of a global conference in Glasgow next month.

While critics noted that the base is already involved in rig decommissioning and wind energy work, Simon MacLardie of XR Scotland said yesterday: "The intention was not to close down the site but to highlight the Government’s continued policy of maximum economic recovery of oil while fossil fuel emissions are killing the planet, and to give a message of support for oil workers who will need an exit plan as the industry has no future."

Maciej Walczuk, an engineering student, said: “We don’t have a choice, the fossil fuel industry is already causing deaths of the most vulnerable people on this planet. Places like this must look into the future. To survive they need to transform into doing work that doesn’t compromise our future instead of trying to continue making profit off the expansion of a deadly industry.”

Police monitored the activity but no arrests were made.

SNP Highland MSP Emma Roddick, who is from Easter Ross, said: "It is really important that we give the appropriate time and effort into securing a just transition to green energy to tackle climate change, and it is fantastic to see that people are engaged in keeping the issue at the top of the agenda as we approach COP26.

“I do think it is worth recognising that the Port of Cromarty Firth is a key player in that transition, with ongoing decommissioning work being undertaken by them alongside work to increase the capacity of wind power in the region."

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Port of Cromarty Firth said the protest was a matter for Police Scotland and its priority "is for the health and safety of all individuals at our facilities, including our staff, port users, the local community and the protestor representatives”.

The event stirred debate on our Facebook page. Garry Bates asked: "How did they all get to Invergordon? Cycle?"

Marcelle Ross added: "More to the point, how did their rig get here to Invergordon, bet they never carried it?"Imelda Shearer said: "Obviously they don't need to work."

But Nikki Ward said: "I mean, yeah they may have gone about it in the wrong way but as far as getting their message across? It worked, you’re all talking.

"I’m glad someone in this town is standing up for greener things, the planet is after all, dying."

Protest divides opinion but gets people talking

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Cromarty Firth ideal location for 'green' hydrogen electrolyser

WATCH: Student's timelapse captures history in the making in Cromarty Firth

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