What's In This Week's Oban Times - 19th July 2023

We have lots of interesting stories and great photographs for you in this week’s Oban Times. A new Argyll & Bute survey has found that almost half of unpaid carers said they accepted low paid work because it fits around their responsibilities. Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau invited them to share their views and experiences in response to concerns about the cost of living crisis and to help them make positive change. We have also been hearing from Anja Jardine from Iona, who will be running the Mull 10k event to say thank you to the Oban Macmillan cancer nurses and support staff after she survived a breast cancer diagnosis. Oban Rotary Club has its first female president as former Oban Police chief inspector, Ciorsti Baxter takes the helm and it has been announced that the big duck race will come to Oban on Saturday August 12. Elsewhere, three-month-old Adam MacAlister has been christened in a beautiful 135-year-old gown that has been handed down through five generations of the same family. This weekend a remembrance service at Oban Community Fire Station will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the deadliest hotel fires in Scotland. The Esplanade Hotel in Oban caught fire on July 24 1973, with 10 holidaymakers losing their lives in the tragedy. Many lives were saved though, thanks to members of the public and voluntary emergency services, which included 12 retained firefighters. In other news, we have the latest from the fall-out between two of our local SNP MPs, Brendan O'Hara and Angus MacNeil. Over on Lismore, we find out who the winners were at the island's agricultural show as we captured the perfect photograph with the help of two farmers. It almost didn't happen after the show's tents were wrecked by a storm, but islanders came to the rescue to save the day. In the sport, Oban's top golf professional Bob MacIntyre came close to a stunning win at the Scottish Open in East Lothian, while we have the latest golfing action from Craignure and Dalmally golf courses. Meanwhile, shinty's Camanachd Cup Semi-final draw was made, with the likes of Oban Camanachd, Oban Celtic and Skye playing in their respective divisions over the weekend. There was a quite an incredible performance in the Ganavan Sands parkrun as Angus McMillan smashed the previous course record on the five kilometre run. North Argyll cyclists also tested their mettle against a new 10 mile time trial route between Kilmore and Kilninver, and we have a preview before the Big Bike Weekend returns this weekend. 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 petrol stations.