RUMOURS OF a climate change protest at Scottish Power’s Longannet plant appear to be unfounded.

The energy provider was unaware of speculation last week that the coal-fired plant could be a target for activists, after a planned climate change protest camp in the Firth of Forth area.

A seven-day demonstration was set to take place from Monday, but action at a proposed opencast mine site at Mainshill Wood in South Lanarkshire moved the camp west.

Now the campaigners plan to stay in the wood to prevent any coal being taken from the ground, until they are evicted by police.

A statement on their website confirmed plans had been in place near the Forth and a map showed Longannet alongside Grangemouth Oil Refinery, Edinburgh Airport, Torness Nuclear Station and other local polluting sites.

The statement read, “The camp will be set up somewhere around the Firth of Forth—surrounded by coal-fired power stations, gas and oil refineries, coal ports, opencast coal mines, corporate HQs, an airport, a nuclear power station, a cement factory and oil terminals.

“This camp will cut carbon emissions.

“Climate Camp Scotland will raise the profile of direct action in Scotland, showing that the nature of the climate crisis is such that we no longer have time to wait for our political and business ‘leaders’ to act for us.”

It added, “The camp will focus on helping groups of people to take action against a whole range of targets.

“If you’re coming with a group of friends that’s great—we’ll help you choose targets and actions, and if you’re coming alone there will be plenty of opportunity to meet other people and work out a plan.”

The Courier called a number on the site and spoke to activists who did not wish to be named.

One said, “There are so many targets it is difficult to say what people may or may not do.

“Since it is a leaderless organisation there is no central command.”

They added, “Coal is one of the worst polluters and if we continue to rely on it the planet is going to be destroyed.

“We have used up everything.