THEY were a landmark on the local skyline for half a century and a symbol of Scotland's once thriving coal industry.
But yesterday the twin chimney stacks of Cockenzie Power Station in East Lothian were razed to the ground in a dramatic few seconds.
Thousands of people gathered to watch the demolition at noon yesterday, with a flotilla of boats gathering in the Firth of Forth and onlookers taking to vantage points including Portobello Beach. An exclusion zone and traffic restrictions had been put in place in the morning.
The carefully planned demolition involved each of the 300-tonne, 149metre tall chimney stacks having 150 holes drilled in them, which were filled with explosives. The chimneys collapsed in on each other in a spectacular cloud of dust and smoke as the detonation took place.
The power station's turbine hall was also demolished immediately afterwards, while the boiler house is due to come down at a later date.
The coal-powered facility in East Lothian was the largest power station in Britain when it opened in 1967 and generated enough electricity to power the average annual needs of more than one million homes every year during its 45 years of operation.
But it ceased production two years ago as it did not meet modern environmental standards. Workers were offered other jobs, redundancy or early retirement.
In total, it is estimated that more than 10,000 people have been employed at Cockenzie, during construction and operation, with many thousands of other jobs supported in the wider supply chain and local area.
The demolition has brought mixed emotions, as a visible sign of the decline of Scotland's once-great coal industry. Others have lamented the disappearance from the landscape of the iconic chimney stacks.
However environmentalists said the demolition marked a positive step forward in fighting climate change.
Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "The demolition of the iconic Cockenzie chimneys will dramatically change the Lothians landscape and signals the imminent end for coal in Scotland.
"For those who've worked at the plant it may well be an emotional day but as a country it shows the positive steps we've taken in the fight against climate change and for clean energy."
Speaking before the demolition, East Lothian Council Leader, Willie Innes, said: “The demolition of the chimneys will be a visible and final signal of the end of Cockenzie Power Station which has been a presence in the life of many local residents.
"I know for some people the demolition will bring mixed feelings but the local communities are already focussed on helping to plan the future of the site and are excited about the new opportunities that may be offered here.”
Hugh Finlay, ScottishPower generation director, said: "The demolition team have been working towards this day for two years, and it was fantastic to see all of our detailed preparations and calculations culminate in such a dramatic event."
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