ABSTRACT
What was necessary-sometimes in parallel with offshore activity but often in advance of it-was the planning of and considerable investment in related facilities and infrastructure. On the former we have seen throughout the 1970s the construction of oil terminals at Sullom Voe in Shetland-destined to be the largest in Europe-Flotta in Orkney, Nigg Bay in the Cromarty Firth and Hound Point in the Firth of Forth. A major gas treatment plant has been built at St Fergus and a number of platform construction yards established across the country. Such yards and allied oil industry requirements have provided a chance for the Scots to show their adaptability in the use of their long-established skills in heavy engineering and shipbuilding. On infrastructure major investments have been made in service bases, airport facilities and roads, and there has been extensive expenditure also on housing and similar social requirements.
