There was the Alan Sillitoe novel Travels in Nihilon - his take on Utopia and Erewhon. Nihilon IIRC had OAPs conscripted to the front to save on pensions. (View Post)

Both state educated, at Kilmarnock Academy. And of course Ardeer in Ayrshire was where Nobel set up a major explosives and propellant works. Closed now, but it was enormous. (View Post)

TBF, even that doesn't need to be brought into consideration; the Nobel award committee met *before* the news from the ME (and pointed that out a little later). (View Post)

Just added cautionary PS to original. (View Post)

Also should have suggested this as a place to have lunch (if less upmarket than the above) if you don't want to go into Glasgow on the way up. Not been myself, but this may appeal to teenages etc., a… (View Post)