Radio Scotland History 3

Radio Scotland - History (3)

However, the station's signal in Scotland was weak and problems were encountered with the Irish Customs authorities over tendering arrangements. Complaints were also received that Radio Scotland and Ireland/Radio 242 was causing interference to lighthouse communications in Belfast Lough and to licensed broadcasting services in Ireland. So by the end of April 1967 after just three weeks on the air from its Northern Irish anchorage transmissions from the Comet were terminated. Arrangements were made at the beginning of May to tow the ship back to an anchorage off Fifeness on the east coast of Scotland. However, instead of the planned five days the towing operation took over three weeks due to delays caused by gales and bad weathe Radio Scotland booklet cover r.

Staffing problems were encountered by Radio Scotland at the end of May 1967 shortly after the station had returned to the air from its east coast anchorage putting a further strain on the much troubled station. All the time off the air between March and 8th May 1967 had cost Radio Scotland dearly in lost advertising revenue. On top of that the station had incurred the cost of towing the Comet first to Belfast Lough and then back to the east coast of Scotland. At this time financial projections by the station's accountants showed that in order to recoup initial investment and cover the annual running costs Radio Scotland would need to remain on the air, in a revenue earning situation, for at least another nine months.

The Marine etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act received the Royal Assent on 14th July 1967 and Postmaster General Edward Short announced that its provisions would come into effect one month later, on 15th August 1967.

Radio Scotland closed at midnight on 14th August 1967. The final day's programmes were pre-recorded in the station's Glasgow studios and most of the DJs had already left the Comet during the afternoon of 14th August to join 2,000 fans at a Close-down Clan Ball in Glasgow. Mark Wesley (West) and Tony Allan stayed on board the radio ship to play the taped programmes and finally close the station.

The station's final hour contained messages and tributes from former staff and from Managing Director Tommy Shields who said it was the saddest day of his life. Radio Scotland announced that during the nineteen months it had been on the air the station had lost £100,000, due largely to the cost of towing the Comet from the east to the west coast and back again, as well as the general lack of advertising revenue as a result of poor signal quality and frequent periods off the air while the ship was being repositioned.

After spending three days at anchor following Radio Scotland's closure on 14th August 1967 the Comet was put up for sale in Dunbar Harbour. With no purchasers coming forward she was towed to Methil Harbour, Fife, Scotland where she arrived on 18th September 1967. While she was in Methil Harbour all the radio equipment was removed.