FORTY YEARS AGO Friday, August 6, 1982

MacLeod’s new venture

Now that a marina development looks set for Lochgilphead, it appears that Oban too is set for a similar scheme and once again Messers Murdo and Kenneth MacLeod of M and K MacLeod Ltd Lochgilphead are behind it.

Not only are the MacLeod directors of the new Lochgilphead Development Company, but they are also directors of the Oban Development Company which was set up earlier this year.

This company also has the backing of Mr Ian Macgregor, the chairman of the British Steel Corporation who is acting in an advisory capacity to both companies and is enthusiastic about both plans.

Speaking from Lochgilphead in May, Mr Macgregor has hinted that marinas for both Lochgilphead and Oban was not out of the question when Mr Macgregor, accompanied by Messers MacLeod and fellow director Mr Malcolm Michie, visited Oban.

Both developments could have far-reaching effects throughout Argyll.

The Oban project has been calculated to lead to 250 new jobs in Oban and the same number outside, possibly from the Lochgilphead area.

There has been no information of how many jobs the Lochgilphead development could bring in but the MacLeods have made it plain that they hope to find the majority of labour locally. In addition the Oban Marina plan will hopefully bring in £2 million of extra tourist income each year.

Mr Macgregor said that he envisaged the two marinas as a route to the Western Isles, providing an access to the islands and improving traffic in the Crinan Canal.

The Lochgilphead project has already had a favourable reaction from Argyll and Bute District Council’s planning committee and it remains to be seen whether or not they feel the same way about Oban.

1962: Mrs J Dick, Kilchoman, who has been teaching at Kilchoman School, Islay, for the past 11 years, was the recipient of gifts from parents and pupils on the occasion of her recent retirement. Mrs Dick, a native of Ardrishaig, also taught at Gortan for 10 years.