Researchers aim to reveal hidden secrets of Oban’s Viking past

A RESEARCH group is coming to Oban in October to find out how many townsfolk are descended from the Vikings.

‘The People of the British Isles’ is a Welcome Trust funded project collecting blood samples from volunteers. But three or all four of their grand- parents must have been born in the same rural area, parish or within a 40-mile radius.

Organiser, Tammy Day, explained: ‘ We are always happy to welcome new volunteers who fulfil our criteria in order that they can help us with our studies.

‘The second phase of the project is under way with volunteers who have already supplied a blood sample. They will have a 3D facial photograph taken to complete the project.

‘The plan is to then use DNA from these samples to make a genetic map of the British Isles.

‘This will serve several purposes: the samples will be a resource for research into the genetic components of common diseases such as cancer and diabetes, while the genetic map will also enable us to look at the impact the different historical invasions, such as the Vikings and Anglo- Saxons, had around the British Isles. We will require 3D photographs to be taken of volunteers.’

The study will take place in Oban on October 17. For interviews, email walter.bodmer@ hertford.ox.ac.uk or call Tammy Day on 01865 863819.