Protesters at the Faslane nuclear base today. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty
At the north gate of Faslane nuclear base there are around 250 protesters, some of them sat in front of the 80-strong police line in front of the gate. There are a further 2,000 police officers on duty down the road, and a police helicopter overhead. Not to mention several tens of millions of the west coast of Scotland's famous midges, who are biting protestors and police alike indiscriminately.
Although the night shift of workers that the demonstrators were trying to disrupt had been supposed to finish at 7.30am, there has been no attempt yet by the police to open the gates and get employees in or out, and no arrests as yet.
Several politicians, including the Scottish Socialist party's Tommy Sheridan, the deputy leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon, and the Green MEP Caroline Lucas, are expected to put in an appearance soon.
Meanwhile, two teams of drummers are competing to make the most noise – and raise spirits on an overcast and slightly chilly morning.
