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THE number of visitors to Scotland slumped by four per cent last year, according to new figures revealed today.

“Success”, according to the 19th century satirist Ambrose Bierce, “is the one unpardonable sin against our fellows”.

SCOTSMAN Publications landed five top accolades at last night’s 34th Scottish Press Awards.

Oban Lorne RFC is hoping its awesome forward pack, nicknamed the Green Machine, will be firing on all cylinders at the National Bowl final at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Saturday April 20 2013.

For the low down on the preparations for this significant game against Grangemouth Stags, see The Oban Times, April 18 2103 and on . . . → Read More: Green Machine set to bowl Murrayfield over

Kellan - photo John McAvoy/SSPCA

A remarkable feat of survival against all the odds has been witnessed on the Isle of Mull as Kellan the young white-tailed sea eagle returns home.

Read his story in The Oban Times, April 18 2013, or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Graffiti has appeared on the old Rockfield Primary School building, which has been closed since 2007, to the horror of one of Oban’s councillors.

Read the full story in The Oban Times, April 18 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

SYDNEY Opera House is being digitally mapped by a team of Scottish designers.

SCOTTISH tourism leaders have issued a stark warning that the lucrative industry is facing its toughest period since the start of the economic downturn.

Photo W.L. Tarbert

On online petition against proposed changes to fares for Lochaber’s busiest ferry service has attracted a flood signatures.

Find out more in The Oban Times, April 18 2103 and online at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

A new ferry link has been announced between Campbeltown and Ardrossan, taking in Arran on a Saturday. Details of the timetable have yet to be announced.

See more in The Oban Times, April 18 2103 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

The Beechgrove Garden is coming to Colonsay! A derelict piece of land in Scalasaig is set to be transformed into a community garden.

Find out more about the project and what the Beechgrove team, pictured, were doing on the island in The Oban Times, April 18 2013 and on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

One of Tobermory’s landmark buildings has reverted to the sunny colour of yellow in time for the summer tourism season.

Read more about the Mishnish’s new look and more stories from Mull in The Oban Times, April 18 2013 or on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

A ROMANTIC comedy set in Glasgow and starring Karen Gillan will close the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it was announced yesterday.

Chris Findlay

FORT William fire-fighter Chris Findlay is set to tackle a unique endurance challenge to raise money for charity, along with Inverness fireman Ricky Dibble.

Find out what challenge they have set themselves in The Oban Times, April 18 2013 – and also on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

SCOTTISH singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has been nominated for two prestigious songwriting awards.

Kinlochleven’s public toilets are set to re-open after two community groups have come together to take over ownership -  for the price of a £1.

For the full story, see The Oban Times, April 18 2103 and on line from the same date at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

Katherine Lindsay-MacDougall of Lunga was a pillar of the community in Ardfern. Sadly she died earlier this year at the age of 97 years. The Oban Times takes a look back over her remarkable life story in its edition of April 18 2103  -  also available on line at www.obantimes.co.uk/digital

DUNDEE City Council is set to create a citywide tourism partnership to help capitalise on the expected boom in visitors when the new V&A museum opens on the Tay’s waterfront.

The Lochaber Marathon on Sunday, April14 2013, saw the women’s record shattered by more than four minutes, despite the heavy rain and strong wind, as Joanna Zakrzewski, Dumfries, crossed the line in 2hrs 45mins 55secs. Robert Gilroy from Hamilton was first over the line.

To read the full report and more photos see The Oban . . . → Read More: Lochaber Marathon sees record broken

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, . . . → Read More: Young farmers show over-wintered cattle at Dingwall