WHO IS THIS?

At long last, Oban International Shanty Festival weekend is here.

I’ve been looking forward to it for the last two years when the event had to be held online but now we have our first live event where we can gather and sing and have a bit of craic together.

On Friday night there will be a concert in Cuan Mor which is already sold out as has the one in The Rockfield Centre on Saturday night. But don’t despair because there will be lots of great music throughout the town all day on Saturday.

The Shanty Festival coincides with the RNLI Open Day which will have some of the shanty bands appearing from 11.30am. Station Square will ring to the sound of shanties all day as bands will be playing until 4pm as well as at various public houses throughout the town.

If you fancy learning a bit more about how to sing shanties, the history of them or various other aspects,

The Rockfield Centre is the place to be throughout the weekend as workshops will be taking place with lots of different themes.

I’m looking forward to learning how to play the bones, a skill I’m sure will be very useful for lots of things!

If you would like more information on what’s happening, go to the Oban International Shanty Festival Facebook page to keep up to date.

I’m sure this will be the first of many successful shanty festivals which will grow over the years and I am confident everyone coming along will receive a warm welcome.

Last week’s photograph was of the inimitable Nicola Wilson, Oban and Lorn Lion and bingo caller extraordinaire.