What's In This Week's Oban Times - 28th June 2023

We have lots of interesting news and photographs in this week's Oban Times newspaper and at www.obantimes.co.uk

 

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Oban councillors are considering how to overturn a decision that will allow houses to be built next to Ganavan Sands.

 

Defiant islanders are still calling for compensation for the Scottish Government's failed ferry service, despite the demand being voted down by ministers.

 

Over on Colonsay, councillors are being asked to approve a loan of over £400,000 to help with the delivery of affordable housing on the island.

 

We also find out whether Kintyre is an electric vehicle charging blackspot and the Scottish Government has launched a consultation on a new tourist tax.

 

The return of the larger Corran Narrows ferry, the MV Corran has been delayed again after it initially went for an overhaul last October. This left the smaller 47-year-old MV Maid of Glencoul to operate Scotland's busiest ferry route, before she also broke down in the Easter and only returned this month.

 

However, Highland Council has awarded the Corran Ferry crew 'team of the year' at the council's Staff Recognition Awards 2023.

 

Elsewhere, controversial plans for an Outer Hebrides spaceport have been granted planning permission by the Western Isles Council.

 

A Crianlarich schoolboy in remission from leukemia is the face of a nationwide campaign to help save the lives of young people like him.

 

In other news, Argyll & Bute Council has approved a controversial plan to build 10 holiday pods at Loch Awe near Portsonachan, despite 37 objections.

 

Nearby, the once outlawed Clan MacGregor called the 'children of the mist' have completed a project to restore their chiefs' gravestones to their resting place in Lorne.

 

Meanwhile, the history and culture of the travelling community was celebrated at Auchindrain and the popular Bossards Patisserie will close on Friday as owners Sylvia and Heinz Bossard retire after 19 wonderful years.

 

In Dalmally, a four-day local pylon inquiry was held last week, hearing the case for and against proposals to build a 48-pylon overhead line between Cladich and Dalmally, with emotional testimony from local residents.

 

A picket line was also held in Oban on Monday as Northern Lighthouse Board workers took official strike action for the first time in the organisation's 236-year history.

 

In the sport, there were celebrations in Glasgow this weekend as both Oban Camanachd and their under-17 team triumphed in the finals of the Sea Farms Glasgow Celtic Society Challenge Cup and MacQuisten Cup respectively.

 

Taynuilt racing driver, Jodie Sloss will be making her debut drive in a Porsche 991 this weekend, with the 22-year-old motoring around Oulton Park.

 

Adam Brook also secured his third consecutive Oban & District Darts league title and amidst the golf action at Craignure and Seil, Oban's Bob MacIntyre recorded a top-20 placing at the MW International Open in Germany.

 

In the swimming, a farewell was held for three senior Oban Otters swimmers, who are leaving the club after 33 years of combined experience and the Otters also celebrated winning seven medals and recording 24 personal bests at their latest competition.

 

You can read all these stories and more by visiting www.obantimes.co.uk or by picking up a copy of our newspaper in local shops and garages.