The UK’s nuclear weapons system is based in Scotland.Trident submarines are based at HMNB (Her Majesty’s Naval Base) Clyde, gererally known as Faslane, and nuclear warheads at RNAD (Royal Navy Armaments Depot) Coulport.
The Scottish Government has said it will have Westminster remove its nuclear weapons from Scotland should it win independence for Scotland. SNP leader Alex Salmond has said Scotland’s constitution will ban nuclear weapons from Scotland.
A Scottish ban on nuclear weapons would force the Ministry of Defence to find a new location for Trident in England or Wales. For some reason the UK government doesn’t consider putting its nuclear weapons system in Northern Ireland!
A great deal of debate is underway in Scotland and Wesminster concerning where to base nuclear weapons if they have to be moved out of Scotland. In June 2007 the Scottish Parliament voted to oppose the replacement of Trident and the majority of Scots don’t want nuclear weapons in Scotland.
A recent report from Scottish CND suggests how Westminster could relocate Trident:
