Lights on as Oban counts down to Christmas

The countdown to Christmas has started following last weekend’s Oban festive lights switch-on.

And who better to be guest of honour than Santa himself and his reindeer who attracted an estimated crowd of 5,000 people on Saturday.

Oban Pipe Band that had the honour of leading Santa’s sleigh from the Corran Halls down to Station Square where there were amusements including a Big Wheel and where the bearded man in red made sure he took time for a meet and greet with youngsters and the young at heart who all wanted to say hello.

Although the event was part of the Winter Festival programme, it was fully financed by BID4Oban. Its chief executive Andrew Spence said it was “a resounding success.”

Olivia MacCuish from Park Primary School and Mhairi Johnston of Dalmally Primary School won a junior Christmas card design contest run by The Rotary Club of Oban winning a ride in Santa’s Sleigh pulled by reindeer from The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain’s only free-ranging herd.

Rona Henderson from Salen Primary School and Kyra MacMillan from Park Primary School schools were excited to flick the Christmas lights switch after winning the Rotary Club’s senior Christmas card contest.

The contest theme was Santa is Coming to Town. Competition was fierce with entries from nine primary schools from across the region.

“We would like to extend massive thanks to judges Val Hamilton and Val Leckie for giving up their time and doing a brilliantly thorough job of judging and curating the winners and highly commended entries.

“Thank you also to BID4Oban and the Oban Winter Festival for supporting the contest again this year and giving the youngsters such amazing experiences,”  said a Rotary spokesperson.

Thanks has also gone to everyone who helped to make this year’s light switch-on such a hit.

More thanks came from Oban Festive Lights Group  giving a special mention to Oban Electrical Services and BID4Oban for installing this year’s illuminations as well as to all their other supporters, from business to individuals.

Among them are: Drax Group UK; The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland; The Rotary Club of Oban; Wylie & Bisset; S & S Services – Subaru UK’s No1 Dealer; The Oban Times; Oban Whisky & Fine Wines Shop; Love Oban Local; Argyll Community Housing Association; Aggregate Industries (Glensanda Quarry) and many more.

You can still help fundraising for the lights by making a donation here:  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/oban-festive-lights-2023

Caption: Rona Henderson from Salen Primary School and Kyra MacMillan from Park Primary School schools were excited to flick the Christmas lights switch after winning the Rotary Club’s senior Christmas card contest

Photograph: Kevin McGlynn
KM-T48-switchon01-2023-switchonparade