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Western Isles leader welcomes ferry ruling

THE EUROPEAN Commission has informed the Scottish Government that in its view an exemption to current state aid rules could now allow the direct award of ferry services contracts to a public sector operator.

Commenting on the announcement by Scotland’s Transport Minister Humzaa Yousaf MSP, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar leader Councillor Angus Campbell, said: ‘We very much welcome this development.

‘While it has taken a long time to reach this stage, it is very pleasing to hear that our island ferry services may no longer need to go out to tender, allowing more resources to be spent on services rather than expensive tendering processes.

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The Oban Times & Lochaber Times
9th February 2017
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Other Articles in this Issue


Front Page
Soroba residents’ rat surprise
A SOROBA couple were surprised last week after their dog
Charity founder honoured
THE EXTRAORDINARY work of Argyll man Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of
Oban Times’ team’s fundraiser update
A TEAM of 10 Oban Times staff walking one million
Positive talks despite budget cuts
SAVINGS of £16million are yet to be found in the
NEWS
Jim tempted out of retirement for new distillery
WHISKY distiller Jim Mc-Ewan has been appointed production director of
Meet the dynamic team behind Oban’s lifeboat
IT HAS been a busy start to the year for
Organisations join forces in energy efficiency drive
WESTERN Isles Development Trust has agreed to work with Community
Hugh Smith’s letter from Islay
JIM MCEWAN, master distiller at Bruichladdich Distillery until his retirement
Mora Edith MacDonald
OBAN’S lifeboat, the Mora Edith MacDonald, is a Trentclass vessel
Iona glamping pods given go ahead
TEN GLAMPING pods on the Isle of Iona have been
Former soldier jailed for assault
AN OBAN ex-soldier has been jailed for punching a man
Former instructor fell asleep at the wheel
A FORMER driving instructor who fell asleep at the wheel
Councillor apologises over ‘disused scrap yard’ row
AN OBAN councillor has apologised after neighbours objected to his
Top dog Lonan generously gifts whisky to owner
Lonan the Spaniel was celebrating this week after winning the
Sentence deferred on Oban teenager
AN OBAN teenager has admitted drug dealing after being caught
Council launches new procurement strategy to support changes
ARGYLL and Bute Council has launched its new procurement strategy
OT Trump rally in Oban sparks debate
AN ANTI-TRUMP rally in Oban last week attracted both support
Oban campaigner backs Yazidi woman’s plea to First Minister
A WOMAN who survived sexual slavery by ISIS has been
Driver clocked at 100mph
A PORSCHE driver clocked at 100mph on the Arrivain straight
Approval sought for housing strategy
ARGYLL and Bute’s Local Housing Strategy, which sets out the
At Random
THERE was a huge response on The Oban Times Facebook
Speeding biker came to Argyll ‘to play’
A BIKER who came to Argyll to ‘play’ has been
Council launches safety strategy
ARGYLL and Bute Council has launched its Community Safety Strategy
Care-at-home review launched in bid to improve service
A REVIEW of home care in Oban and Lorn, which
Coll youngsters celebrate the Bard
PUPILS from Arinagour Primary School on the isle of Coll
Health forum to hold elections
ARGYLL and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is to
£70,000 improvements on A82 to start on Monday
MOTORISTS using the A82 between Inverarnan and Crianlarich are to
Comedy coach to deliver unique XPONorth class
XPONorth (Writing and Publishing) will run a new one-day comedy
Fighting to save Argyll Gaelic from oblivion
THE RACE is on to save the native tongue of
Hebridean Heroines
In this series, The Oban Times’ resident Bodach (Gaelic: old
Young people look to a bright future on project
A PROJECT which aims to unlock the potential of young
Community trust continues to make progress on land buyout
A COMMUNITY trust pursuing the largest community land buyout on
Children’s home given green light
PLANNING permission to convert a Lochyside guest house into a
College achieves national success
WEST Highland College UHI has been confirmed as one of
Parent’s anger over pitch lights delay
‘AN ABSOLUTE joke’ was how one Caol parent described the
No rise in Corran Ferry passenger fares this year
Despite concerns people wanting to cross Loch Linnhe from Nether
Leaflet launched at Mòd Loch Abar open night
AN OPEN evening highlighting the benefits of Mòd Loch Abar
Pupils’ senses put to the test on distillery tour
SECONDARY students’ senses were put to the test as they
Third try at forming community council fails
A THIRD attempt to re-form a community council in Fort
POLICE FILES
POLICE are investigating the theft of a slate sign from
Ceilidh organisers step in with £500
BUN-SGOIL Ghàidhlig Loch Abar received a generous donation on Friday
Community trust continues to make progress on land buyout
A COMMUNITY trust pursuing the largest community land buyout on
Children’s home given green light
PLANNING permission to convert a Lochyside guest house into a
College achieves national success
WEST Highland College UHI has been confirmed as one of
Refugee resettlement taking shape
LOCHABER services are gearing up to give a warm welcome
Spotlight on travel options
COMHAIRLE nan Eilean Siar is carrying out a survey as
New Spirit of Skye festival
A NEW festival is being launched on the isle of
Lochaber MSP votes for ‘landmark’ budget
COMMUNITIES across the Highlands will benefit from greater support as
Renowned minister remembered
TRIBUTE has been paid to a renowned minister, conference speaker
Headland trust celebrates first anniversary
GALLAN Head Community Trust, the Outer Hebridean charity that bought
Green light for new wind farm
PLANNING permission for a new 10-turbine wind farm in the
Scottish Tourism Award winners
FOUR Highland and island businesses have been recognised in the
Ferry disruption expected
FERRY passengers suffered disruption earlier this week as severe gales
Resettlement team seeking volunteers
THE OUTER Hebrides Resettlement Team is seeking more volunteers from
Broadband upgrade in the money
WORK to increase the speed of Tiree’s broadband moved a
Cash boost barely dents budget cuts
WESTERN Isles Council has welcomed news that £160 million will
‘Listen to the islands’ on renewable energy
NA H-EILEANAN an Iar SNP MP Angus Mac-Neil and MSP
Parent’s anger over pitch lights delay
‘AN ABSOLUTE joke’ was how one Caol parent described the
No rise in Corran Ferry passenger fares this year
Despite concerns people wanting to cross Loch Linnhe from Nether
Leaflet launched at Mòd Loch Abar open night
AN OPEN evening highlighting the benefits of Mòd Loch Abar
Pupils’ senses put to the test on distillery tour
SECONDARY students’ senses were put to the test as they
Third try at forming community council fails
A THIRD attempt to reform a community council in Fort
POLICE FILES
POLICE are investigating the theft of a slate sign from
Ceilidh organisers step in with £500
BUN-SGOIL Ghàidhlig Loch Abar received a generous donation on Friday
WHAT’S ON
THERE will be a Lochaber Biodiversity Action Group panel discussion
Good forecast for weather watchers as page re-opens
A SOCIAL media page providing accurate Lochaber weather forecasts has
Drumfun delights primary pupils
A LOCHABER school was alive with the sound of music
Roybridge artist takes on TV challenge
A ROYBRIDGE art graduate is one of 10 artists selected
At your service
THE OBAN TIMES, together with NHS Highland, is running a
New forest bridge unveiled in memory of outdoor stalwart
A NEW cycle bridge in Leanachan Forest has been unveiled
Strontian school project on target
STRONTIAN Community School Building (SCSB) Limited is nearing the first
Climbers lucky to survive Ben Nevis avalanche
RESCUE teams were scrambled in Lochaber last Saturday following an
Sergeant guilty of drink driving
AN ARMY sergeant major has been fined £2,000 and had
Caol man drove over the limit
A 41-YEAR-OLD man from Caol has been found guilty of
Countryside ranger service told to ‘prepare for staffing cuts’
A MOUNTAINEERING organisation has raised fresh fears about how possible
Dangerous driver banned and fined after near miss with off-duty officer
A DANGEROUS driver has been banned from the roads for
Soroba residents’ rat surprise
A SOROBA couple were surprised last week after their dog
Charity founder honoured
THE EXTRAORDINARY work of Argyll man Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of
Oban Times’ team’s fundraiser update
A TEAM of 10 Oban Times staff walking one million
Former soldier jailed for assault
AN OBAN ex-soldier has been jailed for punching a man
Former instructor fell asleep at the wheel
A FORMER driving instructor who fell asleep at the wheel
Councillor apologises over ‘disused scrap yard’ row
AN OBAN councillor has apologised after neighbours objected to his
Top dog Lonan generously gifts whisky to owner
Lonan the Spaniel was celebrating this week after winning the
Sentence deferred on Oban teenager
AN OBAN teenager has admitted drug dealing after being caught
Council launches new procurement strategy to support changes
ARGYLL and Bute Council has launched its new procurement strategy
DISTRICTS
Oban
OBAN and Lorn Lions Club promise to put ‘the fun
Argyll
ARGYLL-BASED charity Mary’s Meals is to receive £450,000 from People’s
Tobermory
A GROUP called A Moment’s Peace is holding a one-day
Taynuilt
TAYNUILT Whist Club’s whist drive on Friday January 20, in
Helensburgh
A SOD-CUTTING event will signal the start of work to
Appin show celebrates diamond anniversary
Appin Agricultural Show committee members past and present got together
Sixth green flag for Dunbeg Primary School
The school’s eco committee has been focusing on litter, energy,
‘Boomtown’ bonfire proceeds buy class projector
MONEY raised at a community bonfire night in Dunbeg has
Young dancers step out in style
St Columba’s Primary School pupils put on a magnificent show
Distillery doors open for global celebration
A NEW global celebration - International Scotch Day - is
Important that people speak out
‘POWER to the people’ is an expression we have heard
Ballachulish
ABBEYFIELD Ballachulish nursing home has again achieved top marks in
Mallaig
MALLAIG Pool and Leisure Club said goodbye to its old,
Fort William/Oban
THREE students from Fort William, Alasdair Davidson, Jack Fraser and
Portree
AFTER wowing audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year,
Kinlochleven girls in film final
FOUR Kinlochleven High School pupils have been selected as finalists
Group celebrate 21 years of Fort visits
A GROUP of Fort William enthusiasts is celebrating more than
Skye Accordion and Fiddle Club
SKYE Accordion and Fiddle club welcomed a good turnout at
£3 billion investment in tourism
THE HIGHLANDS’ tourism industry stands to benefit from investment of
Important that people speak out
‘POWER to the people’ is an expression we have heard
LETTERS
The Oban Times
Democracy is an interesting word, particularly in these unprecedented times
Days gone by – Lochavullin view
Reader Iain Macdonald emailed rThe Oban Times last week with
Macphail
LAST week I was back on Tiree for the funeral
Social media
Our article highlighting details of a Trump rally held in
A big thank you to generous supporters
We would like to say thank you to the whole
Tribute to a great hill man – Donnie Ross
It was with great sadness we recently heard of the
Appeal for cancer charity volunteers
There are 672 hours in February and 744 in March
Candidates proposed for Useless Island
There are three islands in the bay opposite Craighouse, Jura,
Scotland’s strength in the European Union
There is more than a hint of irony that as
Sturgeon’s strange attitude
Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP insist Scotland must remain in
Beachd Ailein
A E DOIRBH A THUIGSINN carson a tha uimhir a
The Oban Times & WEST HIGHLAND TIMES
East Lochaber and Laggan Community Trust (ELLCT) received a huge
Days gone by – Lochavullin view
Reader Iain Macdonald emailed The Oban Times last week with
Macphail
LAST week I was back on Tiree for the funeral
Social media
Our article highlighting details of a Trump rally held in
A big thank you to generous supporters
We would like to say thank you to the whole
Tribute to a great hill man – Donnie Ross
It was with great sadness we recently heard of the
Appeal for cancer charity volunteers
There are 672 hours in February and 744 in March
Candidates proposed for Useless Island
There are three islands in the bay opposite Craighouse, Jura,
Scotland’s strength in the European Union
There is more than a hint of irony that as
Sturgeon’s strange attitude
Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP insist Scotland must remain in
Beachd Ailein
A E DOIRBH A THUIGSINN carson a tha uimhir a
LEISURE
Traditional music sessions return to iconic Oban pub
These informal gatherings bring musicians, like-minded individuals and passers-by together
Glasgow Letter
The Park Bar album was well and truly launched on
FEATURE
Celebrating the great outdoors
CELEBRATE everything the great outdoors has to offer at The
Highland romance
Despite the stresses and financial strains that the current economic
Bedrooms Douneside House - Royal Deeside
AWARD WINNERS FOR NORTH EAST REGION Offering luxurious countryside accommodation
The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant - Port Appin
AWARD WINNERS FOR ARGYLL & LOMOND REGION The Pierhouse Hotel
The Sonas Collection - Isle of Skye
Three family-run boutique hotels situated on the Isle of Skye;
The Crown Inn in - Stornoway
AWARD WINNERS FOR ISLANDS REGION So the Prince of Wales
Ardanaiseig Hotel - Loch Awe
The Scottish Hotel Awards have again named Ardanaiseig Hotel as
OUTDOORS
Mountains of fun this February
THIS month Fort William plays host to a mega mountain
Extended training for students
St John Scotland and Mountaineering Scotland has led to its
Campaign maps out trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie
A NEW campaign capitalising on the renewed global appeal of
No Fuss goes up in world with fun branding
FORT William mountain bike and outdoor event organisers No Fuss
Hamish Brown honoured for mountain excellence
DR HAMISH Brown MBE, Scottish mountaineer, lecturer, photographer, writer, poet
Learn Skills for the Hills with help of Mountain Aid
AN EVER-GROWING number of Scots are escaping to the hills
FARMING
Family-run firm offers personal service
THE CAPABILITIES of insurance brokers varies greatly, as does the
Highland Cattle Society set for spring show and sale
THE HIGHLAND Cattle Society hosts its 126th spring show and
Fort William to host Lochaber stock judging
ON FRIDAY February 3, Lochaber Shepherds held their annual stock-judging
Time right to record ewes
THE FIRST month of 2017 has flown in and we
Management to buy United Auctions
A MANAGEMENT consortium has agreed terms to acquire the entire
PROPERTY
Planning System Consultation ‘Step In The Right Direction’ - SPF
A CONSULTATION on proposals to reform Scotland’s planning system is
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS
BARR
At her home, Duisdale, Lochgilphead, on February 5, 2017, F
CAMPBELL
Peacefully at home in Corrairigh, Cornaigbeg, Isle of Tiree, Mairi
MACCOLL
Sadly but peacefully, on February 6, 2017, at the Lorn
Scottish Bishops offer thanks to Nuncio churches
HIS EXCELLENCY Archbishop Antonio Mennini, who has served as Apostolic
Churches – Netherlorn
NETHERLORN Churches is inviting visitors to explore it’s new website,
Thought for the week
“A voice of one calling the desert, ‘Prepare the way
WATSON-HENDERSON
June, (formerly Macarthur). Passed away at home Lynn House, Ganavan
SPORT
Pre-season fixtures start in earnest
A NUMBER of pre-season games beat the wet weather on
Honours even at Argyll schools badminton championships
EIGHTY pupils from Campbeltown Grammar School, Lochgilphead High School, Oban
MARTIAL RTS WITH IAIN RODGER
Oban BJJ held a small in club charity completion on
Green Machine need two wins out of four to escape drop zone
OBAN LORNE must win two games from their remaining four
Lorenzo brings home bronze medal
LORENZO CHIAVARINI returned from Miami with a bronze medal in
Saints march into last 16 of Scottish Cup
OBAN Saints were made to dig deep at Tarbolton Public
Saints looking for home draw in last 16 of Scottish Cup
THE DRAW for the last 16 and quarter finals of
Scottish AFL results and fixtures
LAST Saturday’s results: Scottish Amateur Cup, sixth round – Tarbolton
Oban Saints youth results and fixtures
LAST weekend’s results: Drum-chapel Amateurs 12, Under-13s 2. Scoring for
Weather causes cancellations
Oban’s U13, U14 boys’ teams and S1/2 girls’ teams were
Young people look to a bright future on project
A PROJECT which aims to unlock the potential of young
Finlay Wild’s in the loop
SOME 40 runners finished the new Blamafuldiach Loop Race last
Lochaber Ladies win local derby
FORT WILLIAM were host to Lochaber Ladies in a pre-arranged
Whitelocke has best game of the week
AFTER week 11 of the Lochaber Building Supplies 10-pin bowling
Club lottery numbers
WINNING numbers for the Ballachulish shinty lottery were 5, 7
Fort William match called oFF
FORT WILLIAM’S weekend home game against Rothes was called off
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