Beachd Ailein

As travel restrictions lift Oban and Lorn is likely to see an increase in campervan traffic and folk enjoying wild camping in our wonderful countryside.

Scotland’s tourism industry will rightly be encouraging Scots to holiday at home to save our tourism industry. There is an old saying that ‘it takes a whole village to raise a child’ – well it also takes a positive community approach to encourage sustainable and responsible tourism.

Scotland’s right to roam carries responsibilities and we must encourage visitors to respect and protect the countryside. Enhancing the infrastructure to support the welcome increase in those choosing the freedom that a campervan/mobile home undoubtedly offers would be a constructive step forward.

OLTA and BID4OBAN seek to work alongside local communities. It is therefore disheartening to hear reports on social media that some community councils have considered legislation rather than education to address this issue.

OLTA and BID4OBAN consider this increased interest in wild camping and motorhome touring as an opportunity rather than a threat. Both organisations would be happy to debate the potential for developing this niche market in a supportive way. One idea that could work well in Scotland is community camping pitches.

The concept of ‘Aires’ is well known and popular on the continent and it could be adapted for Scotland’s rural towns and villages. An ‘aire’ is a low cost or free private camping area, which are usually run by the local town council and if replicated here, they could increase business to local shops, restaurants and pubs and make a positive contribution to the local economy.

There are already laws that criminalise fly tipping and littering. We do not need more just at the point when we are trying to encourage visitors back after months of lockdown.

Scotland is known for its warm welcome and hospitality. Getting the message right on social media is important and we would urge community councils to adopt a more constructive approach to what is undoubtedly a sector with growth potential for Oban and Lorn.

OLTA will be releasing its own charter this week.

Linda Battison, marketing director OLTA. later

On Friday June 12 more than 550 pipers across editor@obantimes.co.uk

Bha mi a’ sgrìobhadh seo ’s mi ag èisteachd ri naidheachdan air mar a chaidh cùisean ann an Sasainn air a’ chiad latha a dh’fhosgail taighean-seinnse is bìdh às ùr an dèidh glasadh-sìos a’ choròna-bhìorais. Far am bi an deoch a-staigh bidh ciall a-muigh a rèir seann abairt, ach gu fortanach chan eil sin a’ tachairt ach ann am beagan shuidheachaidhean, agus nach math gur ann mar sin a bha ann an Sasainn Disathairne seo chaidh. Thachair beagan mì-mhodh, ghlèidh a’ mhòr-chuid ciall, ach tha ceist a thaobh na h-ìre ’s gun deach aig daoine air cumail bho chèile chun an astair a tha ga mholadh.

Gun teagamh bha luchd-riaghlaidh mothachail air a’ chunnart a bhiodh an lùib lasachadh air riaghailtean a’ ghlasaidh, ach bha iad cuideachd a’ tuigsinn àmhghair luchd-gnìomhachais an cunnart a dhol fodha le dìth cosnaidh. ’S e cothromachadh doirbh a th’ ann co-dhùnadh cuin a tha cunnart a’ ghalair nas lugha na an cunnart eaconamach, agus ’s cinnteach gur e pàirt eile dheth duilgheadas gum faodadh ath-dhùsgadh den Chovid 19 a bhith a’ gabhail àite airson grunnd làithean mun tèid sin aithneachadh.

Ach tha tomhas de chunnart anns a h-uile co-dhùnadh is gluasad a nì sinn nar beatha, agus tha earbsa mhòr ga chur daonnan ann an ciall an t-sluaigh mar phàirt den fhreagairt air na cunnartan sin. Aig an aon àm tha fhios againn uile gum bheil àireamh dhaoine ann nach toir feart air modhan sòisealta rianail, deoch ann neo às, agus tha iad sin nam pàirt

the world played the haunting march The Heroes of St Valéry from doorsteps, gardens and streets, which recognised the service of the Second World War ‘forgotten’ 51st Highland Division. These men remained on the continent to fight the Nazis after the evacuations from Dunkirk. Despite their incredible bravery, around 10,000 men were finally encircled and captured at the Normandy fishing port of St Valéry-en-Caux on June 12, 1940.

The aim of our 80th commemoration was to ensure these men were remembered. St Valéry impacted on every town, village and hamlet across the Highlands and beyond. Eighty years on, those same communities were joined by pipers from across the globe as they paid their respects. eile den chunnart anns am bheil sinn fad na h-ùine. Ach bidh sinn beò le dòchas, agus cuideachd gu mòr an eisimeil seirbheis slàinte ionmholta a tha a’ comharrachadh seachdad is dà bhliadhna bho chaidh a stèidheachadh. Ged a chluinnear gearain air ìre cùraim bho àm gu àm ’s i an fhianais as bitheanta gum bheil sinn air leth fortanach leithid de ghoireas slàinte a bhith againn. Ged nach biodh againn de dhearbhadh ach dìcheall agus saothair an luchd-obrach thar nam mìosan a chaidh san t-strì an aghaidh a’ choròna-bhìorais, thigeadh dhuinn a bhith taingeil da-rìribh asta agus a’ moladh gum faigheadh an cuid sgil agus dealas tuarastal iomchaidh. Le bualadh bhas thar na dùthcha feasgar na Sàbaid seo chaidh dhearbh a’ mhòr-shluagh às ùr an luach a tha iad a’ cur air Seirbheis Nàiseanta na Slàinte, agus cha bu chòir leisg sam bith a bhith air an Riaghaltas a maoineachadh chun na h-ìre air am bheil feum.

Tha cùram sòisealta air a bhith an lùib na seirbheis slàinte bho nochd i ann an 1948, ach le mòran a bharrachd a’ ruigheachd seann-aois an-diugh chan eil an t-seirbheis sinn a’ coileanadh a dleastanais. Ma ’s e tomhas math air sìobhaltachd dùthcha a th’ ann an ìre a cùraim dha a cuid sluaigh, bu mhath a-nise gun ùraicheadh Breatann a sìobhaltachd!

Civilised society can be assessed on its care for people, and our National Health Service and social services must be properly resourced!

Allan Campbell, ilean@obantimes.co.uk

As well as becoming the largest piping ensemble in history, a day-long programme of virtual events, learning resources for young people and social media tribute messages achieved a reach of 169 million people. The event was supported three Armed Forces community charities: Poppyscotland, Legion Scotland and RCET: Scotland’s Armed Forces Children’s Charity. Each do vital work today.

To each and every piper, we say: ‘Thank you!’ And to those that support the work of those charities: ‘Many, many thanks!’ Most of all, to the men of the 51st, our thanks, gratitude and respect.

Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE and Neil McLennan FSA Scot FRSA, RCET, trustee and convenor St Valéry 80 Committee.