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Villagers face landslide threat Landslide villagers set to leave
(about 5 hours later)
A section of cliff threatening to collapse above the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan could be removed. Residents of the Aberdeenshire village of Pennan are going to have to evacuate their homes while a section of cliff threatening to collapse is repaired.
Residents were warned to prepare for a possible evacuation on Tuesday night after the 25m crack appeared on the clifftops following heavy rain. Engineers have been assessing the 25m crack above the village's only access road, after heavy rain.
Villagers and visitors were asked to pack overnight bags in case the situation developed further. The 12 residents are now expected to have to leave by Friday before the road is fully closed to allow the work.
The village, made famous by the classic film Local Hero, suffered severe mudslides in 2007.The village, made famous by the classic film Local Hero, suffered severe mudslides in 2007.
Engineers have been assessing the situation concerning the crack above the village's only access road. It is thought the option of removing the section could take several days. The road has been closed to the general public, and the repair work from this weekend could last a week.
The alarm was raised on Tuesday night.
If you can't handle the consequences you don't live in a place like this Helen FletcherPennan residentIf you can't handle the consequences you don't live in a place like this Helen FletcherPennan resident
Aberdeenshire Council's chief executive Colin Mackenzie said the local authority had people in the village and the safety of residents was paramount.Aberdeenshire Council's chief executive Colin Mackenzie said the local authority had people in the village and the safety of residents was paramount.
He added: "It's the road itself that's the issue here.He added: "It's the road itself that's the issue here.
"It's not where the last landslip appeared in Pennan so the houses themselves are not particularly at risk but obviously if the road is blocked and if this landslip happened it would block the road."It's not where the last landslip appeared in Pennan so the houses themselves are not particularly at risk but obviously if the road is blocked and if this landslip happened it would block the road.
"We want to make sure we have taken every step we can to advise the villagers and we've had our staff there advising them of the possible threat.""We want to make sure we have taken every step we can to advise the villagers and we've had our staff there advising them of the possible threat."
He said they were are satisfied as they could be there was no risk to houses.
Hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock swept onto Pennan in 2007Hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock swept onto Pennan in 2007
Helen Fletcher told BBC Scotland: "I've had the house for 12 years but it was a holiday home until I moved here two years ago." Helen Fletcher told BBC Scotland: "I've had the house for 12 years but it was a holiday home until I moved here two years ago.
"It was really serious last time and my house got a bit damaged but it's not nothing like on that scale now. We have been reassured by the council."It was really serious last time and my house got a bit damaged but it's not nothing like on that scale now. We have been reassured by the council.
"There was a landslide about two weeks ago on that road but it was passable.""There was a landslide about two weeks ago on that road but it was passable."
Ms Fletcher added: "It's a clay-based rock so it's very unstable. They have been shoring it up but hadn't tackled that part of it.Ms Fletcher added: "It's a clay-based rock so it's very unstable. They have been shoring it up but hadn't tackled that part of it.
"It's the nature of being here. You have to take the risk."It's the nature of being here. You have to take the risk.
"If you can't handle the consequences you don't live in a place like this.""If you can't handle the consequences you don't live in a place like this."
Steve Cowperthwaite and his wife Dawn Howard have been staying in the village to celebrate their wedding anniversary and Ms Howard's birthday.Steve Cowperthwaite and his wife Dawn Howard have been staying in the village to celebrate their wedding anniversary and Ms Howard's birthday.
"We were in the pub when we heard about the landslide threat," Mr Cowperthwaite said."We were in the pub when we heard about the landslide threat," Mr Cowperthwaite said.
"We're a bit worried about being trapped here so we miss our flight. We will probably just stay put and see what the situation is like later.""We're a bit worried about being trapped here so we miss our flight. We will probably just stay put and see what the situation is like later."
Ms Howard added: "It was ok until the police came to the door. That scared me a bit more. But it's a beautiful place so I don't mind staying here for a while."Ms Howard added: "It was ok until the police came to the door. That scared me a bit more. But it's a beautiful place so I don't mind staying here for a while."
In 2007, severe landslides brought hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock into the village, leading to the evacuation of all the residents.In 2007, severe landslides brought hundreds of tonnes of mud and rock into the village, leading to the evacuation of all the residents.
Pennan - and the village's red phone box - became recognised after Bill Forsyth's 1983 film Local Hero, starring Burt Lancaster.Pennan - and the village's red phone box - became recognised after Bill Forsyth's 1983 film Local Hero, starring Burt Lancaster.
In 2005, the Bafta-winning film topped a film critics' poll for the best use of locations in Britain.In 2005, the Bafta-winning film topped a film critics' poll for the best use of locations in Britain.
The film saw the representatives of a US petro-chemical giant, who were seeking to build a refinery in a Scottish coastal village, come to find the gentler rhythms of the local life practically irresistible.The film saw the representatives of a US petro-chemical giant, who were seeking to build a refinery in a Scottish coastal village, come to find the gentler rhythms of the local life practically irresistible.