Winter festival war

Thousands of people headed to Oban for the start of its winter festival at the weekend.

Word has spread about the 10-day festival, now in its eighth year, bringing families and friends from near and far into the bustling town.

A foraged food and whisky pairing night hosted by top chef and forager Gary Goldie on Sunday at the Corran Halls’ Studio Theatre attracted visitors from America, Australia, Amsterdam and China as well as closer to home.

A magical Christmas craft-making afternoon at Dunollie Castle sold out in the sunshine and medieval yule tours of Dunstaffnage Castle were part of the winter festival for the first time this year.

Other weekend offerings included a roller disco, snowboard simulator, west coast gin show, big quiz night and multiple food and craft fairs across the town.

More than 500 people also enjoyed the Oban Winter Bricks Lego event that raised £1,850 for the Fairy Bricks charity, which will be delivering sets to Glasgow’s Children’s Hospital soon.

More than 30 hardy souls swam across the Falls of Lora at Connel and back for charity organised by HighlandopenwaterSwim.com, while New Hope in Soroba Road hosted part of a Moving Minds exhibition developed by traveller communities across Scotland which will stay on show throughout the festival.

Tonight (Thursday November 22) is late-night shopping with many places across town offering special discounts and nibbles from sherry and shortbread to Prosecco and mince pies.

And there is still lots to look forward to including Oban’s first silent disco, family-friendly and in a giant igloo at Mossfield car park from 6.30pm this Saturday, with proceeds going to charity.

Butchers will be going head to head to win the coveted Golden Haggis Award at

Oban Distillery on Sunday and the town’s distillery will also be hosting a whisky festival.

Tickets for Winter In The Woods, three night walks round lit-up Glencruitten’s gardens and grounds, sold out within one hour of going on sale.

The Big Racket finale parade leaves the Corran Halls on Sunday at 5pm for the party at the distillery courtyard. Everyone is encouraged to bring along instruments with a prize for the best homemade one.

Magic, balloon art, stilt walkers, snacks, soups, hot toddies, live music and ceilidh dancing are just a taste of what to expect at that event, finishing off with fireworks at 7pm lighting up the sky above McCaig’s Tower.

‘There’s one word to sum it all up and that’s magic,’ said a winter festival spokesperson.

Go to obanwinterfestival.com to see the full programme online.

Pomander makers at Dunollie: Martha Walters, Ella Mackechnie, Jennifer Shaw, Ruaridh MacKechnie and mum Helen MacKechnie.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn. David Evans and Carol Bain with her delicious scones ready for the high tea at the flower arranging event in the Argyllshire Gathering Halls.

16_T47_winterfestival09 Musicians got shoppers’ feet tapping at the distillery market on Saturday.

16_T47_winterfestival27 Callum and Ellie McGuckin from Dunbeg give Santa their Christmas letters at Dunollie.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn. Winner of the jam and shortbread Nina Graham, right, with judge Lillian MacDonald.

16_T47_winterfestival17 Jane McDonald shows off her skills with her knitting needles.

16_T47_winterfestival01_organisingcommittee Oban Winter Festival’s organising committee.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn. Winner of the clootie dumpling Anne Napier with her helpers Hayley Napier, five, and Emma Murdoch, eight, with judge Lillian MacDonald.

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn. Chef and forager Gary Goldie put on a foraged food and whisky pairing event.

16_T7_winterfestival14 Cheeky satsuma girls grab a kiss from bellringer Stuart Smith outside Oban Distillery.

16_T47_winterfetival23 Oban RNLI volunteers manning a stall at Sunday’s food and craft market were Phil Hamilton, Anne Young and Alison Rennie.

16_T47_winterfestival13 Making a start on Christmas shopping at the festival food and craft market at Oban Distillery.