This book, first published in 1984, examines the impact of the US Polaris base at Holy Loch, Scotland, upon the people of Cowal in Argyll, and its imposition upon them by powers outside the locality. It evaluates the ecological, economic, political and cultural effects of the Base from its establishment in 1961. In addition, this book studies the impact of the influx of workers to build the McAlpine North Sea oil platforms in the region.