Winter festival ends with explosion of colour

OBAN Winter Festival has once again been hailed a success, writes David McPhee.

The word hail is particularly relevant this year, as millions of the little white stones pelted the town on numerous occasions.

Competitors in this year’s Tartan Dash event had to endure one of these showers, but that didn’t deter 60 people showing up to take part in the 5km run.

The nine-day festival offered something for everyone, from dancing and haggis hurling to gin tasting and fireworks.

‘I really want to highlight that it’s the whole community coming together,’ one of the committee members said.

‘It’s not just about the committee, it’s about everyone – everyone who takes part, everyone who puts on an event, because if no-one put on an event, there wouldn’t be a festival.

‘It’s the whole community pulling together.’ The community spirit was particularly prominent at the Christmas markets that took place on both Saturdays.

‘The market numbers were up,’ the committee member said.

More than 2,500 showed up on the first Saturday and 1,300 braved rougher conditions for the second.

A spokesperson for the committee said: ‘It was really good – everyone enjoyed it and there were lots of visitors

‘The haggis festival on Sunday was busy from the moment it opened and the Victorian tea was a sell-out again.’

Another event that was highlighted was Santa’s grotto which took place in the Rockfield Centre.

Children brought in gifts to give to Santa, and they will be given to those less fortunate in Oban.

This was a collaboration between the Salvation Army and Mary’s Meals. The grotto was designed and constructed by volunteers from the Men’s Shed.

‘The ceilidh was fantastic,’ the committee added. ‘It was Crackin’ Craic and Oban High School Trad Band, and they are both just so good.

‘Although we have finished, there’s still one more event,’ they added.

That event will take place tonight (Thursday November 30) in Skipinnish Ceilidh House from 7.30pm.

It is the St Andrew’s Night ceilidh dance, organised by the Oban High School Traditional School of Music.

Next year’s Oban Winter Festival will take place from November 15 to 25.

Photograph: Stephen Lawson Oban Winter Festival closed on Sunday with a spectacular and explosive conclusion. The fireworks over McCaig’s Tower provided a pyrotechnical end to what was hailed by the organisers as a great success.

17_T48_Winterfestival18 The festival ended on Sunday with a fireworks display.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn Oban Gaelic Choir sing at Choirs by Candlelight at St John’s, Oban.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn Photograph: Kevin McGlynn M&Co fashion show. M&Co fashion show.