Oil major BP celebrated a milestone for the fledgling North Sea oil and gas industry 42 years ago today when The Queen opened the operation of the UK’s first oil pipeline.
The 130-mile pipeline from Cruden Bay to Grangemouth was built by BP serving the Forties oilfield 110 miles east of Aberdeen.
The Queen inaugurated the flow of oil by pushing a gold-plated button in BP’s control centre at Dyce near Aberdeen.
She was accompanied by Prince Philip and Prince Andrew.
Prime Minister Harold Wilson also attended with the Scottish Secretary and other senior cabinet colleagues.