A week of wonders
Familiar as I am, obviously, with Oban and the surrounding area and islands, I had a real eye-opener last week about just how wonderful the town and Argyll and the Isles are.
I picked up, with no great expectations, the Holiday West Highland supplement and began flicking through it desultorily, only to find myself transfixed by the reports of the autumn and winter events to come and some great photographs of our stunning landscapes and seascapes.
There is an old saying that people never do the tourist things on their doorstep and I believe we risk becoming almost blase about the scenic blessings we enjoy.
When, for example, did any Oban residents take the trouble to visit the island of Kerrera or stroll up to McCaig’s Tower to take in the amazing views?
Or take a trip to Dunollie and Dunstaffnage Castles, right on our doorstep?
Or tour Oban Distillery and sample our own water of life?
Autumn 2024 will see Oban buzzing as it hosts the Royal National Mod this week and next, soon followed by the annual fireworks celebration on November 2 and the always superb winter festival later next month and the always popular reindeer parade closing out November.
Summer is, of course, the tourism high season but I think visitors who venture to this part of the country at this time of year are often the ones who have the better experience.
The weather might not be so good but there is so much to do and enjoy. What a wonderful place.
The other, completely unconnected, wonder for me in the past few days has been the birth of my first grandchild. Ciara is a beautiful little baby girl who has stolen my heart completely.
People had warned me that the first grand wean would be an overwhelming experience but I scoffed at the sentimentality of the prediction.
However, I have to confess that I was indeed overwhelmed with emotion when I first saw and held the wee darling. Simply wonderful.
What do you think? Send your comments to editor@obantimes.co.uk
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