Longannet chimney due for demolition

The 600 chimney has been a landmark on the local skyline.

The iconic 600-foot-tall chimney of Scotland's last-coal fired power station will be demolished today. 

It will be a milestone moment in the removal of what was once the largest power station in Europe.  

The chimney has been a regional landmark for generations, dominating the Forth skyline at around 183 m (600 ft) high. 

Although it ceased generation in 2016, the chimney remains the largest free-standing structure in Scotland. 

Earlier this week, Scottish Power projected the Global Warming Stripes on the site, and the slogan ‘Make Coal History’ was beamed on the chimney stack, which is due to be finally demolished later this week. 

The stripes show the change in global temperature from 1850 to 2020, with shades of blue showing cooler-than-average years and red show years that were hotter-than-average. The projection demonstrates the importance of climate action and the need to act now to tackle the climate crisis. 

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive, ScottishPower said: “The Global Warming Stripes remind us why the UK needs faster action and greater ambition to meet net zero emissions targets and help save our planet. Scotland has been coal-free since we closed down Longannet in 2016 and today we’re calling on everyone to join us in making coal history once and for all.” 

The projection features as part of a year-long programme of COP26 legacy projects from ScottishPower.