Video News | The Oban Times news for Oban, news for Argyll, news for Fort William, news for Lochaber , news for the Highlands and Islands and beyond!

First Minister opens Lochaber smolt hatchery

June 12th,2013%

20_f24fish02 A WORLD-leading smolt hatchery in Lochaber was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond during his visit to the West Highlands on Friday,June 7 2013.

The new Marine Harvest plant at Lochailort employs 12 local people and will grow 11 million fish each year to supply the company’s salmon farms across the West Highlands and islands.

For more on this story see The Oban Times,June 13 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Sunshine,stalls and a parade –Oban Charities Day!

June 12th,2013%

oban-charities-day1 Oban Charities Day, June 8 2013,organised by Oban and Lorn Lions Club,was blessed with glorious sunshine and saw a large crowd of people perusing the stalls in Station Square selling everything from cupcakes to plants,with food stalls and games. Oban Pipe Band paraded from the Corran Halls to Station Square,along with Oban’s sea and air cadets and toddler groups.

For more details on the day’s events see The Oban Times,June 13 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

New pilot ferry service starts for Campbeltown

May 28th,2013%

new-campbeltown-ferry On Thursday May 23 2013 the MV Isle of Arran made its first official crossing in a three-year pilot,carrying vehicles and passengers,from Ardrossan to Campbeltown.

On board were a number of officials and dignatories including Michael Russell,Argyll and Bute MSP,standing in for Transport Secretary Keith Brown.

The ferry was met at Campbeltown New Quay by Kintyre Schools Pipe Band and around 100 members of the public. There was a short reception in the New Quay ferry terminal.

For more photos and details of the inaugural journey,see the The Oban Times,May 30 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Serenissima refloats after grounding in Oban Bay

May 22nd,2013%

serenissima-courtesy-oban-lifeboat The MS Serenissima,which went aground on a shingle bank in Oban Bay around 5.30pm on Monday May 20 2013,was refloated around midnight the same day with help from Oban lifeboat.

None of the 61 passengers and 51 crew were injured.

For all the news from the West Highlands see The Oban Times every Thursday or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival 2013

May 6th,2013%

lochnell-ps-choir Oban was a world of music and dance on the weekend of May 3-5 2013 as competitors lined up to take part in the prestigious and 30th Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival.

See The Oban Times for photos and results from the weekend’s events. Video below of some action songs and primary choirs.

Also available on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

[Show as slideshow]

Young farmers show over-wintered cattle at Dingwall

April 16th,2013%

dingwall-mart Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd sold 25 young farmers’ over-wintered cattle at their annual show and sale on April 9-10 2013.

The judge,Jean Mackay,Harelaw Farm,Barrhead,Glasgow,chose as her Home Farms Overall Supreme Champion,the haltered champion and first prize haltered bullock,a 12-month-old 510kg Limousin cross,brought out by Paul Wilson,Wester Cairnglass,Gollanfield,bred by Mr J Smith,The Rowans,Brora,and purchased at Dingwall in October. The champion was sold for £1,200 gross to Messrs G &S McConachie,Berrybrae,Wardhouse,Insch.

For the full show and sale report see The Oban Times,April 18 2013 and on line from the same date at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Whale be back?

April 8th,2013%

The Isle of Mull ferry manoeuvres to avoid the sperm whale. Photo courtesy of Stephen Lawson.

On Monday April 8 2013,after being in Oban Bay for 10 days,Oban’s sperm whale left through the north channel and the hopes were that he would find his way back to open sea and deeper waters unharmed,despite having an altercation with a moored barge earlier in the day.

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) Senior Inspector John McAvoy,who is based in Argyll,spoke to The Oban Times about the efforts to track the young male whale and keep it safe.

Team Talk –Oban Celtic

March 27th,2013%

Oban Celtic 2013 Welcome to Team Talk,where we take a light-hearted look at sports teams throughout the West Highlands –through the eyes of the team players.

This week we speak to John Hill,captain of Oban Celtic shinty team,currently in Marine Harvest South Division One.

Strong easterly winds and snow wreak roads havoc

March 23rd,2013%

Easterly winds and heavy snow falls have brought chaos to Argyll’s roads as well as large scale power failures.

The A828 Connel-Ballachulish road was closed at Barcaldine for around 18 hours after several trees came down over the road on Friday evening,March 22 (see video).

The A83 at Clachan,between Tarbert and Campbeltown has been closed since 7am on Friday because it has been blocked with deep drifting snow while power failures have hit homes in Kintyre,Islay,Jura and Gigha as well as Appin,Barcaldine and Lismore.

Trees also came down on the Glen Salach road between Bonawe and Barcaldine and on the A85 in Connel. Driving conditions have been hazardous because of snow and the high winds,with a number of minor road traffic incidents.

Argll and Bute Council has warned that schools in the Knapdale,Kintyre and the Isles area –Tarbert to Campbeltown and Islay and Gigha are unlikely to open on Monday March 25 unless electricity supplies in the area are restore –and this could extend into Tuesday and Wednesday.

See The Oban Times every Thursday or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Team Talk –Glenorchy Camanachd

March 6th,2013%

glenorchy-camanachd-2013 Welcome to Team Talk,where we take a light-hearted look at sports teams throughout the West Highlands –through the eyes of the team players.