Noised up

WHILE I am on the subject of tourism, we also reported the worrying story of a couple from Peebles who cut short a holiday in Oban – their third of the year here – because of the noise coming from the generators supplying power to the new pontoons.

The new transit berths at the North Pier are a cracking addition to the town for the marine market and have been widely welcomed by the vast majority of people.

The location of the pontoons is part of what makes them so valuable a development. Yet it seems it is also what is causing the problem.

Their proximity to a number of hotels and self-catering units is apparently a cause for complaint from visitors.

Admittedly, this is a temporary situation as the generators will only be in place until Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) connects the pontoons to a a mains power supply. As mentioned already, given the importance of tourism to Oban, it is vital SSE completes its mains connection as quickly as possible.