Fireworks are a real blast...

Bonfire and firework events in Oban and Lorn were unforgettable this year for many reasons.

Dunbeg held its ‘best one yet’, Taynuilt hosted its first community bonfire in almost two decades, and Oban’s fireworks display was one of the ‘biggest and best’ the town has seen – not including ‘Obang’.

Andrew Spence, from BID4Oban, said: ‘This was one of the biggest and best displays Oban has ever seen. Our thanks go to our key sponsor Scottish Sea Farms without whose generous funding this event would not have been as spectacular.’

Fireworks illuminated Oban Bay on Monday night and spectators lined the streets in their hundreds to watch the display.

‘BID4Oban would like to make this event even bigger next year and are open to ideas from any interested parties,’ Mr Spence added.

‘The best indication of the success of the event was seeing the amount of cars and gridlock after the event. It is obvious many people had travelled into town to watch the display.’

Dunbeg’s community bonfire and fireworks night on Saturday was just as memorable. The event raised money for three-year-old Harris McGougan, who has leukemia.

Harris received a special escort to the bonfire, thanks to characters from his favourite television show, Paw Patrol, and Oban police. A video was posted online of Harris before he was picked up.

Organiser James MacDonald said: ‘He was in the kitchen covering his eyes. And then he opened the door and Paw Patrol was there. He ran out cuddling and hi-fiving them.

‘Seeing that made it worth every single minute. A lot of time was spent putting it together, but it was brilliant. It was the best one yet. There are too many people to thank. Anyone I asked, nothing was too much trouble.’

And Taynuilt’s community bonfire was back after almost two decades.

There was so much interest about an event this year that the community council helped make it happen.

Admission to Monday’s event at the sportsfield was free and so were the sparklers. To help fund the event, a ‘guy’ did the rounds in the village at the weekend.

A 10-minute fireworks display was planned with people’s pets in mind and plenty of notice.

Eilidh Livingstone snapped these great photographs at the Taynuilt bonfire night.

15_T45_Oban fireworks_07 Retno and Gregor McGregor and their son Bara.

15_T45_Oban fireworks_07 Rory MacFarlane and Katie Smith, with Corey and Jamie.

17_T45_DunbegBonfire13 Jade Lilly Munro, Marshall, and Chloe Black.

15_T45_Oban fireworks_10 This family were enjoying the spectacle in Oban.

17_T45_DunbegBonfire07 Volunteer Blair Stewart received a 40th birthday cake.

17_T45_DunbegBonfire09 Nicky, Scott and Lilly had a great time.

Left to right, Hanna, Skyla, Keara and Arianna In Oban. 15_T45_Oban fireworks_09