Celebrating the great outdoors

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

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

Western Isles leader welcomes ferry ruling

THE EUROPEAN Commission has informed the Scottish Government that in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planning System Consultation ‘Step In The Right Direction’ - SPF

A CONSULTATION on proposals to reform Scotland’s planning system is

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

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