The Oban Times

The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival kicks off on Friday May 3 for three days and will see Oban busy with children and adults heading to various venues throughout the town with music sheets, dance shoes and instruments in hand.

Find out more in our double page spread in The Oban Times, May . . . → Read More: Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival

Should an independent weekly newspaper serving the West Highlands be concerned about press regulation – or should The Oban Times just dismiss the matter as of no consequence?  Perhaps we should look at the events that have unfolded.

At the start there was justifiable outrage at the illegal and unethical  behaviour undertaken by some members . . . → Read More: Is Press Regulation getting out of control?

Otters are back on the prowl in North Lorn – but road signs are needed to warn drivers after 13 killed between Appin and Benderloch.

Read more about the increase in the otter population and efforts to safeguard them in The Oban Times, May 2 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital.

A development manager who worked on one of the world’s most remote islands has been appointed to oversee the Oban CHORD project to regenerate the town’s waterfront and town centre.

Find out more about Linda Houston in The Oban Times, May 2 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Celebrations

Junior players served up some fantastic rugby  at Locahber RFC’s Mini Dalriada Festival as 120 children from P3 to P7 enjoyed a great day of sport at Banavie, Fort William.

More photos and a full report are in The Oban Times, May 2 2103 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital from the same date.

Ben Nevis All Stars at the fun day

Lochaber came together on Saturday April 27 2013 to raise funds for Cancer Research in a Lochaber Together 5k fun run and family day, with a guest appearance from Caol strongman Mark Haldenby who has been receiving treatment himself for cancer.

See The Oban Times, May . . . → Read More: Lochaber is better together for cancer charity

Oban High School Parent Council is putting up banners around Oban displaying health lifestyle messages as part of a new initiative.

For the full story see The Oban Times, May 2 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Fort William manager Danny Conlon says he’s  ‘looking forward to’  the end of the season after watching his football team fall to a second heavy defeat in the space of seven days.

For the full match report see The Oban Times, May 2 2013 and on line from the same date at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital.

Plans to construct a fish farm in Seil Sound have been unanimously approved by Argyll and Bute Council’s planning committee following a public hearing.

The plans had been recommended for approval by planning officers but had received 816 letters of objection. Only three objectors spoke to at the hearing.

For the full story see The . . . → Read More: Ardmaddy fish farm is given green light

This year’s Mull Music Festival was one of the busiest weekends the island has ever seen, according to the event’s organisers.

The festival saw bands including The Raggaels, Skerryvore and Gunna Sound entertaining the crowds.

For the full report and more photos from the festival see The Oban Times, May 2 2013 and on line . . . → Read More: Mull Musical Festival draws the crowds

The surface search and rescue vessels looking for a fisherman missing off Easdale Island since Thursday April 25 have been stood down.

But the Coastguard is continuing to co-ordinate search efforts involving Police Scotland, its own officers and a private individual who had offered the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to search. Other . . . → Read More: Search for missing fisherman off Easdale scaled down

A search is underway for a fishing vessel off Easdale Island. Stornoway Coastguard heard a mayday message from the vessel just after 1pm this afternoon, Thursday April 26. It said the vessel, with one person on board, was going over. A mayday relay broadcast was issued by Stornoway Coastguard, and a number of vessels in . . . → Read More: Search for mayday fishing vessel off Easdale

Spatulas and icing bags at the ready? Brendan Lynch, a finalist from this year’s Great British Bake Off BBC programme, will be rolling up his sleeves at the Nevis Radio Fort William Food and Drink Festival.

More details in The Oban Times, April 25 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Strike action is being threatened after wage talks between bosses of ferries operator Caledonian MacBrayne and union officials broke down.

Read the full story in The Oban Times, April 25 2013 or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Friday the 13th of September 2013 is a day that David ‘Skinny’  MacInnes, Oban,  is not going to forget in a hurry as he attempts to do something completely, uniquely challenging – and probably fool-hardy – a 100-mile run in 24 hours to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Read his story in The Oban . . . → Read More: Oban man to face Friday 13th challenge for charity

Power tools worth thousands of pounds are among items stolen from vehicles in the Oban and Lorn area.

See the details in The Oban Times, April 25 2013 or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Chris Bradley's Fort William swansong against Hamman Saddique

LOCHABER fighters entertained a boisterous home crowd at the Nevis Centre in Fort William with a series of impressive displays at Lochaber Phoenix ABC’s boxing show on Saturday April 20 2103.

Nine local boxers, including national and regional champions, took on opponents from across Scotland on . . . → Read More: Lochaber boxers put on a show

Read how Glengorm Castle is being transformed into a  nature haven, Tobermory’s distillery has overcome drought problems, new training opportunities are being sought for islanders and one island photographer is taking a step on to the solo road in our Spotlight on Mull in The Oban Times, April 25 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

More than 500 ‘fish and chip’  jumpers have been made by ladies from the Scottish Association for Marine Sceince (SAMS) at Dunstaffnage and Tesco Oban, staff and friends at Dunbeg Primary School and other clubs in the Oban area for babies in Malawi.

Find out more about the ‘fish and chip’ jumpers in The Oban . . . → Read More: ‘Fish and Chip’ jumpers head for Malawi

TOURISM buyers from across the world were competing to secure the best the west coast has to offer at VisitScotland Expo 2013 – with West Highlands and islands stands among the most popular at the event.

Held in Glasgow’s SECC over Wednesday and Thursday April 17-18 2013, the event is the premier international tourism exhibition . . . → Read More: West Highlands to the fore at international tourism expo