The release of the open sea
As I write this I am steaming down Loch Linnhe bound for Oban.
The bright summer sun is drenching Ben Nevis behind us and a light southwesterly breeze is caressing the surface of the sea into a rhythm of gentle wave on ploughing boat.
This is the St Olave’s first outing on the sea this year and the way she is moving and the happy roar of the engines suggest that she is feeling relieved to have escaped the entrapping fresh water of Loch Lochy, the claustrophobic confines of the Caledonian Canal and the descending depths of Neptune’s Staircase.
Heading for Oban feels very different today compared with how it has felt in recent years because last Wednesday, after a long and complex road to reach it, and with much help from some very special people, we completed the sale of the business and an extended lease of the Skipinnish Ceilidh House.
I first moved to Oban in April 2008 to take on the running of the Ceilidh House and from then until now it has been a very significant part of my life, so the decision to sell was not easily made.
We are lucky and very grateful for the surge in popularity the band has had in the last few years and juggling this along with running the venue has become increasingly difficult.
This, coupled with the fact that our lease was coming to an end in September, pointed us towards the possibility that it made sense not to renew terms.
However, making decisions like this is never black and white. There were other issues to be considered that pulled us back to thinking that continuing for another 10-year term was what we should do, foremost among them, maintaining the jobs of our staff and the wish that the venue would continue to operate.
So, bearing these issues in mind it had been decided that we would probably soldier on with the juggling, renew the lease and by hook or by crook make it work.
As it often does in such circumstances, fate and good fortune helped solve our dilemma as a number of months ago we were approached by three energetic young people from Oban full of enthusiasm who were very keen to take on the business if we would consider selling.
They made us a 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 following is an extract from the Skipinnish Facebook page: ‘For over 10 years the Skipinnish Ceilidh House has been a very significant part of our lives and we are very grateful to all who have 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.’
On a personal level, I have had many happy and many difficult times in and related to the Skipinnish Ceilidh House and the memories will last.
Perhaps though, after the last few years of dilemma in deciding what do with the venue, part of me feels like the St Olave felt today having escaped the confines of the loch as the magic, freedom and relief of the open sea awaits.
More news of the new business taking our place coming soon.