SEPA chief executive quits after ‘conduct allegations’
SEPA said it was unable to comment further, ‘In order to protect anonymity’
News
Oban
HSCP overspend slashed
The prioritisation of the Omicron response does present an additional risk to the savings programme in the last quarter of the year.
News
New DiCaprio tree has Lismore roots
Botanist Lorna MacKinnon who has a family home on Lismore was co-author on a scientific paper presenting the endangered evergreen DiCaprio tree as being new to science
News
Tesco T-Birds help stack Hope’s shelves
Teresa Russell along with others from the T-Birds, a group of ex-Tesco staff, have handed over a cheque for £2,684.15 to Hope’s service manager Catriona Petit.
News
Oban ticket office – open as usual
Independent watchdog for transport users Transport Focus is conducting a public consultation on behalf of ScotRail to look at ticket office opening hours. Oban is not under review.
News
Disney to Diesel Dames for marine training couple
Hannah and Derek Grier launched their new training centre in 2019 at Dunstaffnage and are back at the helm after Covid to steer their maritime businesses into exciting waters.
Announcements
Jean celebrates 100th birthday with two cakes!
Jean MacFarlane celebrated her 100th birthday in North Argyll House on November 3, enjoying two cakes thanks to lockdown
News
View from the Chamber – 20.1.22
Whether you are new to the Chamber, a longstanding member, or thinking about joining, we are pleased to help all the businesses in our friendly and supportive Lochaber business network.
News
Covid support for businesses
‘Guidance for businesses and information about the UK and Scottish Governments’ financial support package is available at findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice,’ explains Councillor Robin Currie, policy lead for the economy and rural growth.
Business
Hospitality businesses invited to apply for funding
Affected businesses will receive either a grant of £4,500 or £6,800 depending on their rateable value.
News
View from the Chamber – 13.1.22
Whether you are new to the Chamber, a longstanding member, or thinking about joining, we are pleased to help all the businesses in our friendly and supportive Lochaber business network.
Business
Coll and Mull healthy living projects receive £90,000
People living on Scottish islands will benefit from community-led wellness initiatives designed to support them to live healthier lifestyles
Business
Argyll College appoints new female board chairperson
Argyll College UHI has appointed Dr Rosemary Allford as its new chair of the board, after Andrew Campbell retires from his nine year tenure in the post
Business
Oban campaigner calls for new laws on braille labelling
Two of Scotland’s leading national disability organisations joined forces on World Braille Day (January 4) to call for action from government and retailers to promote more availability of braille labelling on retail goods.
News
View from the Chamber – 6.1.22
Whether you are new to the Chamber, a longstanding member, or thinking about joining, we are pleased to help all the businesses in our friendly and supportive Lochaber business network.
News
Oban apprentice wins top prizes at Cruachan power station
A young technical apprentice from Oban has won two top prizes at renewable energy company Drax’s annual apprentice awards event in recognition of his achievements over the past year
Church
Thought for the Week – 13.1.22
Reverend Richard Baxter (Fort William Kilmallie and Kilmonivaig Church of Scotland)
Church
Thought for the Week – 4.11.21
We need not fear if we combine common sense with trust in God, whose love for all his children is unshakeable.
Lochaber
Glenfinnan Community Council holds January meeting
A range of issues were discussed at the recent January meeting of Glenfinnan Community Council.
Districts
Essential works on Caledonian Canal bridges due to start
The £220,000 project will see work undertaken on the Fort Augustus and Laggan Swing Bridges on the A82, involving the replacement of the hydraulically operated nose wedges that support the ends of each bridge.
News
Bus travel bonus welcomed
Isles MP Angus MacNeil has welcomed the initiative which will cover travel across the Western Isles and also on the mainland.
Lochaber
Lochalsh community groups urged to apply for funding
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh ward will receive £80,906 in the first round of funding.
Lochaber
Touch of tartan for rugby lads’ Arisaig dip
The lads donned some suitably tartan items of clothing for their dip in the chilly waters off Arisaig.
Lochaber
Fort museum restructures staff team for 2022
West Highland Museum Curator Vanessa Martin takes on the new role of Curator Manager.
News
Council counts on mathematical donation making a difference
The Blythswood education programme aims to support education to transform futures. Blythswood Care is dedicated to sustainable education and social care projects, helping disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential.
News
Virtual sessions on Climate Change and COP26 hailed a success
The virtual events took place before the school holidays and over 16 classes from different schools across Highland attended, including Applecross.
News
Campaign launched to highlight new legislation to protect livestock from dog attacks
The campaign will run through the lambing season, when sheep and lambs are most vulnerable to attacks, and will be then run again in the autumn.
Farming
Farmers call for beaver damage compensation scheme
Farmers are calling for a compensation scheme if beavers damage their land, following the Scottish Government’s announcement to expand the beaver population
News
End of an era as Donald Morrison steps down
Well-known auctioneering figure Donald Morrison will retire in December after a career spanning 48 years
Farming
Auditor warns ‘governance must improve’ at Crofting Commission
The commission responsible for overseeing Scotland’s 20,000 crofts fell ‘below the standards expected of a public body in Scotland’
Farming
Crofters confront minister on ‘severe damage’ posed by geese
Crofters raise concerns with the new minister for rural affairs, from difficulties accessing grants to the end of funding for goose management
Farming
Like father, like son…
Youngster is the star of the show, helping dad at the annual ram sale in Oban.
Gallery
Sporting youngsters set example at Lochnell Football Festival
Over 50 teams from 11 clubs spread between Fort William and Campbeltown took part in the fourth annual festival at the North Connel venue
News
Local authority agrees one per cent rise in council house rents
Lochaber councillor Allan Henderson referred members to a tenant survey which showed that 63 percent felt a one percent rent increase was reasonable.
News
SEPA chief executive quits after ‘conduct allegations’
SEPA said it was unable to comment further, ‘In order to protect anonymity’
Lochaber
Fort William link road to be considered by Transport Scotland
The prospect of a link road could also vastly increase the resilience of the trunk road network around Fort William, which at times has seen diversions of more than five hours.
News
West Highlands lose ‘real fighter’ with death of Stewart MacLean
Caol and Mallaig councillor, Allan Henderson, had known Mr MacLean since the two men both ended up on the Fort William and Lochaber Tourist Board in 1980.
News
Over 100 global enquiries about Canna guesthouse opportunity
The National Trust for Scotland told the Lochaber Times it was delighted by the level of interest in the tenancy for Canna’s Tighard House.
Leisure
Clan Donald Lands Trust marking half-century anniversary
A cornerstone of the trust’s mission is to conserve and promote the culture and history of the Highland clans, and Clan Donald in particular.
Lochaber
Glenfinnan Community Council holds January meeting
A range of issues were discussed at the recent January meeting of Glenfinnan Community Council.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 19th January 2022
Partygate: What do your local Tory politicians say, and not say? The SNP praises its new U22 bus pass – but angry Argyll mums are tearing their hair out. A windfarm off Islay’s shores could power every Scottish home.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 12th January 2022
News in this week’s Oban Times brings you details of a new woodland about to be created in Dunbeg, the return of BBC2’s popular Winterwatch series next week with presenter Iolo Williams on Mull and a mention of Lismore teenager Fionn Cook who has kicked off a new tradition on his island raising funds for the Scottish Air Ambulance.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 5th January 2022
The first Oban Times of 2022 is packed with pages of stories and photos as the New Year kicks in.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 29th December 2021
Fingers and toes crossed that Oban’s Hogmanay fireworks display will still be going ahead to ring in the New Year with the bells. The event is allowed under Government guidelines so far. This week’s Oban Times has also been chatting to grand-dad of four Donald MacFarlane who at the age of 56 is off to work on the Sir David Attenborough scientific research ship, helping look after Boaty McBoatface.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 22nd December 2021
Ho! Ho! Ho! This week’s Oban Times has a fine festive sack full of news and pictures for you.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 15th December 2021
Christmas is coming and this week’s packed Oban Times has photos of festive fun on Seil where the community lit up An Cala gardens to put on their own version of Alice In Wonderland. National treasure Dame Judi Dench has made a home video to support Oban Hospice’s 2022 calendar and Lismore is waiting with much anticipation for the arrival of its new ferry.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 8th December 2021
Gallanach Road is back open – hoorah! Also we deliver you news of another apparent failure by Royal Mail – this time involving make-a-dedication fliers for Oban Hospice’s Light Up A Life event.Who will control Oban Bay? CalMac’s keen national owner CMAL? The previously reluctant council? Or a popular trust port? We report a dramatic turn – or u-turn – of events at the Harbour Board’s crunch meeting. The stooshie continues…
And islanders in Tiree have launched a ‘community-first’ alternative to AirBnB. We also have a sports-round up for you.
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 1st December 2021
Fiona, Kathie and Sandy take a look at the stories behind this week’s headlines. There’s news of a new partnership between Wild About Argyll and BID4Oban, a film crew at Ganavan, a controversial bid by CalMac’s nationalised owner to control Oban Bay and a chance to name Mull’s newish, second hand ferry. Ferry McFerryface?
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 24th November 2021
Oban Times investigation finds Taynuilt villagers missed lifesaving covid booster jabs due to late mail. We also have the latest on probes into two Argyll councillors, and into the latest council depot fire in Oban. School nativities have been cancelled again this year due to the pandemic – but Fiona is looking for some seasonal sparkle
Podcasts
What’s In This Week’s Oban Times 17th November 2021
Fiona, Kathie and Sandy gather to give a wee sneak peek into what’s in This Week’s Oban Times
News
SAMS staff get poetical for World Oceans Day
‘I wandered lonely as a copepod’: Marine sciences staff managed to flawlessly recite their love of the ocean.
Lochaber
WATCH: Loch Arkaig Ospreys season summary
Take a look back at some of the highlights this year.
Football
WATCH: Fans and players celebrate historic victory at Claggan Park
Relive the celebrations after last night’s win over Nairn.
Lochaber
WATCH: Lochaber landmarks shine blue for World Parkinson’s Day
Some of Lochaber’s best known landmarks were lit up blue.
Lochaber
WATCH: Osprey pair Louis and Aila back at Loch Arkaig
They arrived at the nest together shortly after 7pm on Thursday night.
Lochaber
VIDEO: Author discusses Ballachulish Camanachd Club 125th anniversary book
Ian MacPhee spoke to the Lochaber Times about his new book celebrating the history of Ballachulish Camanachd Club.
Lochaber
WATCH: Virtual football manager Loki Doki visits Fort William FC
Jon Cox, better known as “Loki Doki”, started fundraising for the club with his online fans.
Lochaber
WATCH: Families turn out in force for Stramash fire clean-up
More than 100 people stopped to lend a hand with the clean-up throughout the day on Saturday.
Lochaber
WATCH: Stunning video entry shows off best of Lochaber landscape
Anna Wells’ short film has been entered into the British Mountaineering Council’s “Women in Adventure” competition.