Hogmanay Rocks! - Birlin' an' Skirlin'

Lorn Lines ~ (iss 12) ~ April 2009

Hope this finds everyone fit, healthy and raring to go.

Birlin' an' Skirlin'
Hogmanay is an old Scots for last day of the year - 31st December. It is also another word "party!". The new year just past (2008) year saw the second Oban Hogmanay street party. Much better organised than the first event last year, excellent crowd control, max 10 minutes queue at the bars, good facilities etc and to cap it all it was a lovely clear, frosty night.

But more to the point everyone was having a great time. The united nations didn't have a look in - there were all nationalities whooping it up. The Japanese couple who asked me take their picture were lucky I didn't run away with the camera, but hey, it was Hogmanay otherwise . . .

Now I'm an old rocker. Heavy metal, hard rock type of guy but the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were tremendous! Check them out. Already for this year Donnie Munro, ex front man from Runrig is in the frame for the headline act. Im going to contact the organisers and see if they'd like to donate a couple of tickets for a prize draw on this site. They can only say no, if you don't ask, you don't get.

Oban and the surrounding area were very busy over the Easter period. Tailed off a little now as it always does but it looks like being a bumper tourist year. a few hotel and guest house owners I've spoken to tell me that they're well ahead on bookings compared to the last few years. Optimism from them is good because they're usually grumpy and full of doom and gloom.


Seafood capital of Scotland
In a move driven by the Oban Forward group, the town has has declared itself the Seafood Capital of Scotland. A bold statement by any means given the volume and strength of the competition. Well, I say good luck to them. Faint heart never won - or something like that.

Now you either love or hate it. If you're a lover, give the local seafood a try if you can. Nealy all the eateries in the area have some on their menu and there are a few dedicated places. My favourite just has to be the Seafood Temple. There's also the "green hut" on the South Pier (Besides Calmac) run by the same guy which does some brillaint take-away stuff.

If you're in self catering and cooking for yourself then Donald Watt fishmongers on the same pier is a second (or third?) generation family business offering a wide range and friendly sevice. They also have a "Turbot Charged" delivery van. I kid you not, have a look for yourself.

I recently had a meal at the Lochnell Arms - just over Connel bridge - which is under new management. They've certainly brought a bit of life back to the place and local man Colin knows his stuff. Give them a try if you're out that way.

The Italian connection? On the subject of food, strolling through the supermarket last week I discovered haggis pizza. Must try that I thought. Verdict? eeeeyukkkk!

Spring has definitely sprung so I took myself off for a walk earlier this week. Newsletter subscriber Alice (Ontario) had requested some photos if I was ever near the Fairy Bridge (Talk about subtle hints . . .) So long since I've been there that it took me a while to find it again - - it really helps if you start searching on the right side of the river! Unforunately my photos didn't work but I'll get some pics for you next time. Just for those who don't know it's in the Invercreran/Fasnacloich area. Our faithful dog Cleopatra (Cleo to her friends) died on the Sunday before Christmas. This was my first long walk on my own since then. I love getting into the countryside for the peace and solitude but it was strangely lonely without Cleo.


Hey! Brighten up your day. I've recently uploaded a screensaver composed of photos from my files which you can download for free and have Oban and Argyll with you at all times. head over to this page and it all yours.

If you have any requests for future screensavers using pics from the site just let me know. If you have any pics you'd like to see on the site and/or made into a screensaver drop me an email.

That all folks! Be happy.