The proposed Coastguard closure programme is proving controversial everywhere. But with elections to the Scottish Parliament less than twelve weeks away, it's a very live political issue here. Amid all the protests and campaigns, two developments caught my eye over the weekend.
The first is the suggestion from the minority SNP government that Coastguard responsibilities should be devolved to Scotland. Will the Scottish Liberal Democrats support this, terrified as they are of voters blaming them for the actions of their Westminster counterparts.
Secondly, and linked to the coastguard issue, is the locating of two emergency tugs in the Minch. They're there to help oil tankers before they run into trouble, or rocks. The plan is to remove their cover. The excellent Rob Edwards, whose blog I recommend, has got hold of a leaked report which concludes the tugs are vital to prevent a disaster.