PTAir
"Technically, there could be just one for the whole UK but there is considerable force in the "don't have all your eggs in one basket" thinking. No doubt, the second centre has to be in Scotland for entirely political reasons. Such reasons are totally unconnected with the provision of ATC though it is interesting to note that some of the NATS Senior Management were Scottish at the time the 2 centre strategy evolved".
Why the hell shouldn't it be in Scotland?..it's got as much right to have an en-route centre as ANY other part of the UK, I say again UK, that you care to mention!
It's this type of "we're doing you lot a favour by letting you have one" attitiude that gets right up the noses of us living and working here.
It seems that for a good many contributors to this thread, Scotland is only a separate country when it suits!
Rgds
T3