Ceilidh House bought by new Oban firm

Skipinnish Ceilidh House in Oban has been sold.

The band said the business and extended lease have been bought by ‘an exciting new Oban company’.

In a statement, the band said: ‘It was not an easy decision to make but it definitely feels like the right one.

‘With things growing and getting busier with the band and with a few other things on the horizon, we have been weighing up our options for a while in the lead up to the lease renewal in September.

‘We are lucky and very grateful for the surge in popularity the band has had in the last two years and we have a really busy summer schedule of gigs ahead - it’s not easy juggling that with running the venue.

‘Despite these difficulties though, we were reluctant to jeopardise the continuation of the business or the jobs of our staff so we had decided to soldier on with the juggling and renew the lease.

‘However, a number of months ago we were approached by three young guys from Oban, full of energy and enthusiasm, who were keen to take on the business if we would consider selling.

‘They made us a firm, fair offer and after a complex legal journey, agreements have now been settled in conjunction with the landlords, and over the coming weeks ownership of the business - under a new name - will pass to this new company.’

The band went on to say that as part of the agreement staff will keep their jobs and all existing and on-going bookings will be maintained.

The ceilidh and DJ nights will continue and be added to, with the new operators adding plenty of their own ideas as well as their new name to the venue.

The band continued: ‘For more than 10 years the Skipinnish Ceilidh House has been a significant part of our lives and we are very grateful to everyone who has worked with us and helped us along the way. It has been the catalyst for meeting and working with some of the finest human beings we know and we are privileged to have been part of a great team running the venue.

‘We pass on huge thanks to all our staff, stewards, DJs, musicians, singers, dancers, customers and suppliers, past and present.

‘A particular thanks to Claire MacDonald and Duncan Campbell who have been as solid as rocks since our very early days in the venue and have performed exceptionally to keep things running in our increasing absence.

‘It is business as usual for at least the next month though, so we’re not saying farewell quite yet! More news coming soon.’