News
Finance report declares health and social underspend
Health services, which are provided by NHS Highland, ended the year with an underspend of £906,000. Social work services, which are provided by Argyll and Bute Council, also had an underspend for the year of £183,000.
News
EU Settlement Scheme deadline only one week away
Those who do not apply to the scheme may not be able to continue living or working in Scotland.
News
Airport rolls out fuel service
‘We’re delighted that our fuelling station is now open to visiting aircraft as restrictions cautiously loosen across Scotland,’ says council leader.
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 18th June 2021
Where on earth is Ellis? Despite his absence he has left us with a spine-chilling tale. Perhaps he had a pressing engagement to go to? Kathie gets her dancing shoes out following her chat with Taynuilt musician and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Gary Innes and there’s music from Leonard Brown and his All-Star Band.
News
Sea tour firm links with hotel
‘We’re excited to be getting back out on the water and start helping show guests the natural beauty of the region.’
News
£150,000 grants for islands
Scotland’s inhabited islands are being invited to apply for grants of up to £150,000.
News
Argyll student’s outstanding contribution celebrated with national award
John Frace created Scotland’s Coronavirus Tracker website which has now attracted 1.5 million users. His Twitter following has exploded to 22,800 followers, including Professors Devi Shridhar, Jason Leitch, Linda Bauld, and the First Minister.
News
Oban litter ‘attracting rats’
Man ‘appalled’ to see rats roaming in elderly mother’s back garden as waste problem sees no sign of abating.
News
Sea tour firm links with hotel
‘We’re excited to be getting back out on the water and start helping show guests the natural beauty of the region.’
News
Power cut cause not yet known
Businesses and at least one school were among those affected, The Oban Times understands.
News
Hotel ramps up employee benefits
‘There’s no doubt that the hospitality industry is in crisis when it comes to availability of skills,’ warns hotels group chief executive.
News
Islands MSP warns of catastrophic consequences for Scottish farmers
Mr Allan warned of the consequences of domestic producers being crowded-out of the market by cheaper and lower-quality food imports because of a lack of safeguards for domestic agriculture.
News
Dedicated website will update public on council’s property projects
As projects near completion, both the webpage and map will be updated and promoted to the public through the Council’s social media channels using #BuildingOurFutureHighland.
News
Highlandwear studio opens in Oban
Alan Moore, director and founder of Connel Bay Scottish Highlandwear, trialled the concept eight months ago and has now made the arrangement permanent.
News
Oban station toilets remain shut
The facilities have been out of action now for more than a year, said former community councillor David Gallant, a regular passenger.
News
Town centre funding boost
Tobermory on Mull will receive total funding of £198,000; Bowmore at Islay receives £118,500; and Oban £197,000.
Church
New Bishop consecrated in Argyll and The Isles
The Scottish Episcopal Church celebrated the consecration of The Rt Rev Dr Keith Riglin as the new Bishop of Argyll & The Isles on Saturday, at a special service in Oban.
Church
Thought for the Week – 16
Reverend Donald McCorkindale, Ardgour, Strontian and Morvern Parishes, Church of Scotland.
Lochaber
Glencoe, Canna and Kinlochleven projects express interest in rural funding
The final deadline for ‘expressions of interest’ to be submitted is the 13 August 2021.
Districts
West Highland Museum ‘delighted’ with Queen’s Award for volunteer staff
West Highland Museum in Fort William and the other two Lochaber organisations were among 18 organisations to be honoured across Scotland.
Districts
Glenfinnan Community Council report
There was a SCIO report on the new community car park, footbridge and new pathways which were reported to be working well for visitors and locals alike.
Lochaber
Lochaber High School shed project hailed a success
Mr Bauer made an outdoor visit to our shed to determine whether it was possible and enthusiastically welcomed the opportunity to help the school and work in partnership with the community workshop.
Lochaber
Individuals self isolate after staff member at Ballachulish Primary School displays Covid symptoms
Although further testing of a PCR test returned a negative result, it was decided as a precaution for some people to self isolate as the staff member in question did display symptoms.
Lochaber
New head teacher confirmed for Ardgour and Lochaline Primary Schools
Louise Maclean is currently Acting Head Teacher at Ardgour Primary School, and previously taught in Ardgour and Strontian Primary schools.
Districts
Plockton and Lochalsh district news
On May 21 a very pleasant ceremony was held at Plockton car park
Districts
Voluntary Action Lochaber hails group’s new award
Advocacy Highland achieved the accolade for the way it involves and manages volunteers in their organisation following the five strands of the Volunteer Friendly Award standards.
Districts
Massive military exercise takes place off Scotland’s west coast
And following the exercise, the UK’s two aircraft carriers – HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales – were able to meet each other at sea for the very first time.
News
Boot camp proves a hit
People as young as nine to 55-years-old have been getting involved and the offer is open to all with no requirement to be a resident of Barcaldine.
News
Islands MSP warns of catastrophic consequences for Scottish farmers
Mr Allan warned of the consequences of domestic producers being crowded-out of the market by cheaper and lower-quality food imports because of a lack of safeguards for domestic agriculture.
Farming
Farming support delivered ahead of target
News that vital Scottish Government funding for farmers and crofters to keep Scotland’s food production moving during the pandemic has been delivered ahead of schedule has been welcomed by Argyll and Bute’s MSP Michael Russell.
Farming
Cards stacked in industry’s favour, says NFUS president
‘As I look towards 2021, it is not about the cards we have been dealt on Brexit, trade deals, policy or weather.’
News
NFU staff turn miles into food
The challenge will see staff participants run, walk or cycle to contribute to the team goal.
News
Oban Market report – November 24 2020
This end of season sale for lambs and sheep ended on a high note when all classes were keenly bid for.
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
Isle of Rum topotheque goes live
The Isle of Rum has a long and fascinating archaeology, history and geology and could be considered a microcosm of the history of the Scottish Highlands.
News
EU Settlement Scheme deadline only one week away
Those who do not apply to the scheme may not be able to continue living or working in Scotland.
Lochaber
Islands Athlete Travel Award Scheme open for applications
The scheme opens for applications this week and following an application and selection process, athletes will be identified for support by each local authority.
News
Island Communities Fund open for applications
The fund is backed by £2 million of Scottish Government funding, which comes from the £9.5 million committed to the Islands Programme for 2021-22.
Lochaber
View from the Edge: Cath MacDonald
The place was unusually quiet for this time of year. Some visitors had arrived on holiday but nothing like the number that had been expected.
Lochaber
Glencoe, Canna and Kinlochleven projects express interest in rural funding
The final deadline for ‘expressions of interest’ to be submitted is the 13 August 2021.
News
£150,000 grants for islands
Scotland’s inhabited islands are being invited to apply for grants of up to £150,000.
News
Argyll student’s outstanding contribution celebrated with national award
John Frace created Scotland’s Coronavirus Tracker website which has now attracted 1.5 million users. His Twitter following has exploded to 22,800 followers, including Professors Devi Shridhar, Jason Leitch, Linda Bauld, and the First Minister.
News
Double Dose Club launches in Western Isles
Designed by Loom’s owner and Creative Director, Pearse O’Halloran, the graphics comprise a mint green and blue design as well as featuring text in both English and Gaelic
News
Edinburgh family ‘disgusted’ by Glen Nevis memorial bench desecration
George Forsyth contacted the Lochaber Times recently to raise awareness that such incidents are taking place and told us it was not the first time his mother’s memorial bench had been desecrated.
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 18th June 2021
Where on earth is Ellis? Despite his absence he has left us with a spine-chilling tale. Perhaps he had a pressing engagement to go to? Kathie gets her dancing shoes out following her chat with Taynuilt musician and BBC Radio Scotland presenter Gary Innes and there’s music from Leonard Brown and his All-Star Band.
Podcasts
What’s in This Week’s Oban Times 16th June 2021
This week’s Oban Times carries a health message with cases of Covid on the rise across Argyll and Oban being flagged up as an area of concern. Kathie also brings us news about 200 women having their routine breast screening appointments cancelled in town
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 11th June 2021
With Fiona Scott still on her holibobs it’s up to Steevie, Kathie and Ellis to hold the Something For The Weekend fort. In this week’s podcast, intrepid reporter Kathie transports us back to her ‘oarsome’ nine-mile row up the coast from Seil. We meet her fellow rowers and discover the special treats she had in her lunchbox. Ellis also gets an eyeful as he interviews Speedo Mick, the inspirational Evertonian fan who has become a charity fundraiser, which saw him mobbed by admirers on his arrival in Oban
Podcasts
What’s in This Week’s Oban Times 9th June 2021
The negative impact of a minority of tourists features in this week’s Oban Times as unmanaged camping at local lochs sees some of our beauty spots suffer the very worst of litter, human waste and damage from wildfires.
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 4th June 2021
Intrepid reporter Kathie regales us with another of her watery adventures as she steels her to take part in an eight-mile local leg of a row around Scotland. We find out who’s been responsible for all the yellow knitted wellies that have been appearing, and have an upbeat new single from Glasgow-based folk singer-songwriter, Scott McWatt, called ‘Where We’ll Be’.
Podcasts
What’s in This Week’s Oban Times 2nd June 2021
The shortage of housing and flats places to rent takes centre stage in The Oban Times on Thursday as calls are made to limit the number of holiday lets and Airbnbs is just one of the stories in this week’s Oban Times.
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 28th May 2021
In this week’s episode of Something For The Weekend Ellis goes to a street festival, Kathie visits a new garden taking root at Oban’s Rockfield Centre to eventually provide natural dyes for creative workshops there and Steevie stormtroops in about a certain Empire that has come to town to film a Star Wars spin-off Disney channel series – or has it?
Podcasts
A Something For the Weekend Podcast 21st May 2021
Kathie catches up in Oban with endurance cyclist Harry Lidgley who is on a 7,000km mission to wheel his way round all the UK mainland lifeboat stations raising funds for the RNLI. Celebrity Robson Green’s been in town making a new TV show and a new friend after meeting Ellis and we have some wonderful music from Patsy Reid who will be leading the team of expert tutors at Mull Fiddle Week this summer
Podcasts
What’s in This Week’s Oban Times 19th May 2021
Catch your breath! This week’s OT is full to brimming as ever with lots of great stories and photos
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.