Eternal flame comes to Oban for festive period
The International Peace Light made its way to Oban over the festive period.
The ‘eternal flame’ was brought to St Columba’s Cathedral on December 22 by the First Argyll Scouts.
From there, members of the public lit candles and took them home to spread the flame throughout the area.
Father James MacNeil gave readings at the ceremony, while Scout leader Jack Anderson provided the music. This was followed by everyone receiving Jelly Babies or ‘Peace Babies’ as they were known at the end of the First World War.
The International Peace Light originated from the Eternal Flame in Bethlehem.
In 1984, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation launched a Christmas campaign called Light into Darkness, where a child travelled to the birthplace of Christ and collected a flame to take back to Austria.
After spreading across the country, Guides and Scouts throughout Europe got involved. and in 1995 the campaign reached the UK.
Speaking about the light travelling to Oban, Scout leader Malcolm Dear said: ‘We collected the light from Glasgow from the distribution service there. It’s the message of peace. In this day and age, it’s a major importance to spread the word of peace.’
Once it arrived in Oban, the eternal flame was transferred to a candle in St Columba’s Cathedral. ‘It stays here until the twelfth night,’ Mr Dear added. ‘Then it is extinguished.’
Father James said the peace light was ‘necessary’ and encouraged people to take their own light from the flame.