The event, held in Tesco car park, was hailed a resounding success by its organisers and by the thousands in attendance.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers headlined the bill and Skerryvore lived up to their growing reputation.

Oban band The Works made a long-awaited comeback and the Homecoming Gaelic choir, consisting of singers from Oban and Taynuilt, and Oban High School Pipe Band, also performed.

At the stroke of midnight, the crowd was treated to an impressive pyrotechincs display by the Oban Fireworks Team.

Oban North and Lorn councillor Neil MacKay, who headed up the organising committee, Oban Events Team, said: ‘The event was a major success and we are delighted with the acts who put on fantastic performances.

‘There was an amazing buzz throughout the crowd with a really great family atmosphere. I am over the moon with the turnout.’

The attendance was 2,000 more than last year’s inaugural party, which was free of charge. This year’s event cost £11.50 for adults and £6.50 for children and built on last year’s success. Merry revellers noted that one key improvement was the smoother running of the bars and an increase in the number of bar staff. One reveller said: ‘I thought the event was a fantastic advert for Argyll, not just for Oban.

‘I was here last year and it took a while to get served at the bar but this year things ran a lot more smoothly.

‘The last time I saw Skerryvore was this event in 2007 and I think they are even better now.

‘The addition of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers to the line-up of bands went down really well. I can’t wait to see who they will get next year.’

Sandy Morrison, a former Argyll man who now lives in Australia, came back for Hogmanay. He said: ‘I’ve got used to it being a bit warmer on Hogmanay but this is how it should be celebrated. If the Oban party continues to be successful I can see more people coming from all over the world to it.’

Councillor MacKay added: The event’s success is down to a few key ingredients: the hardworking Oban Events Team, the dry weather, quality entertainment for all ages and the Tesco management, who bent over backwards to help us prepare. Plans for Hogmanay 2009 started last November because we need to plan well ahead to get acts of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ calibre.’

Oban Hogmanay 2008 is estimated to have cost in the region of £75,000.

Costs were met through ticket sales, as well as grants of £8,000 from Argyll and Bute Homecoming Fund and an Awards for All grant of £5,000.

• See all the pictures on page 11 this week.

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