WCT-News Feed

Obanite pipes his way through Boston for World Cup

Owen Wild — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:36:30 GMT

Oban’s Jamie MacGregor has returned from Boston feeling like a celebrity after an unforgettable week at the World Cup showing off his immense piping talent.

Glory be! Lismore buys island church

Kathie Griffiths — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:58:16 GMT

Four years after the Church of Scotland announced it no longer wanted Lismore’s cathedral church on its property list, islanders have got the keys.

'Killjoy' BEAR gives Benderloch flagraisers the blues

Kathie Griffiths — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:14:39 GMT

Road maintenance agency BEAR Scotland tells village to take down its World Cup flags because they are ’a distraction’

Argyll council to consult on short term let control areas for islands and Lorn

Sandy Neil — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:45:14 GMT

Argyll and Bute Council will consult on introducing Short Term Let Control Areas to Mull and Iona, Coll and Tiree, Islay, Jura and Colonsay, and Lorn and the Inner Isles, as part of its bid to tackle the region’s housing shortage

Phil makes a splash as he steps back from the poolside after four decades

West Coast Today — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:11:22 GMT

His only job since leaving high school Phil Hughes recently retired as Assistant Manager at Lochaber Leisure Centre.

Two babies born on same day at Lorn and Islands Hospital

Owen Wild — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Lorn and Islands Hospital is celebrating the rare occurrence of two families welcoming babies into the world on the same day in Oban.

Legendary voyage as revamped cruise ship makes maiden visit to Fort William

West Coast Today — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

During Covid the Star Legend was berthed in Palermo, Sicily, where it was literally cut in half and a new centre section inserted to increase the number of cabins.

Council to consult on new Visitor Levy

Sandy Neil — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:43:00 GMT

Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to launch a consultation on a revised Visitor Levy scheme, based on a £5 flat rate per room per night

Glue trap ban comes into force

Sandy Neil — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:22:00 GMT

Scotland’s wildlife will be protected from an inhumane and indiscriminate pest control method when a comprehensive ban on glue traps comes into force next month

Geared up for Father's Day

Kathie Griffiths — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:25:00 GMT

From Perthshire to Fort William, 55 classic vehicles took a trip to Bridge of Awe for a special Fathers Day event.

Community support 'sew' good to seamstress Michelle

Rita Campbell — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:08:00 GMT

A Mid Argyll seamstress has been ‘sewn away’ by the level of community support in helping her find temporary premises to keep her business open.

Volunteer Blether Buddies sought

Colin Smeeton — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Arran Community and Voluntary Service (Arran CVS) brought together volunteers and participants from the Blether Buddies befriending project for a special afternoon tea celebration during the Big Lunch, the UK’s annual celebration of community organised by the Eden Project and Volunteers’ Week.

Oban firm "fights for survival" after storm damage

Sandy Neil — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:53:34 GMT

Family-run firm asks for help in its "appeal against commercial eviction"

Council agrees taxi fare rise

Andrew Galloway — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:50:00 GMT

A five per cent increase to maximum taxi fares in Argyll and Bute has been unanimously agreed as a proposal by councillors

Full-circle romance starts at Crinan Canal's lock 10

Marian Miller — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:01:00 GMT

While known as a short-cut from Loch Fyne to the Inner Hebrides, the Crinan Canal holds a special full-circle place in the hearts of one couple.

Freemason’s donation will help make a life-saving difference

Colin Smeeton — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:02:00 GMT

Freemason Lodge St Molios in Lamlash has made a significant donation to Arran Community First Responders (CFR) that play a pivotal role in not only saving lives on Arran, but also preventing serious medical complications from developing.

The West Coast Today Podcast - 24th June 2026

Owen Wild — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:30:00 GMT

In this week’s Oban Times and Lochaber Times...

Fate of Corriecravie Fire Station sealed

Colin Smeeton — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:14:00 GMT

At the recent Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) board meeting, proposed changes at more than 30 fire stations across Scotland were approved.

Witness appeal following report of serious sexual assault in Oban

West Coast Today — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:59:25 GMT

Police in Oban are continuing enquiries and appealing for information after receiving a report of a woman seriously sexually assaulted by two men

Council set to consult on Visitor Levy again

Andrew Galloway — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Argyll and Bute Council could begin consulting on a revised proposed visitor levy of a flat rate of £5 per room, per night, if councillors agree

Mikey goes the distance to give thanks

Kathie Griffiths — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:02:00 GMT

Oban firefighter completes 550-mile solo cycling challenge across the West of Scotland

Feedback sought on proposal to dispose of Fort Augustus Police Station

Fiona Scott — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:30:10 GMT

The move is part of Police Scotland’s estates transformation.

CalMac crew mark International Women in Engineering Day

Sandy Neil — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:45:00 GMT

CalMac engineers Lauren Moore and Tarina McDonald shared their experiences and why they believe more women should follow in their footsteps

Tobermory self-catering unit approved despite objections

Andrew Galloway — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:18:43 GMT

Plans for a self-catering accommodation unit on Mull have been given the go-ahead despite four objections from the public.

Visitors get sneak peak inside Campbeltown Bond ahead of official launch

Hannah O’Hanlon — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:35:00 GMT

Invited guests were given a first glimpse inside Campbeltown Bond during a week-long preview event, offering a sneak peek of the ambitious whisky storage and visitor attraction taking shape at Machrihanish ahead of its official launch.

Vets 'feet' for charity

Kathie Griffiths — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:01:00 GMT

Walking 50 miles from Fort William to Oban has raised more than £3,000 so far for charity Vetlife, fueled on foot by vets and nurses from the two towns.

Scotland’s only cocktail beach bar changes hands

Elanor McNamara — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:17:00 GMT

Cladach Beach House officially changed hands earlier this week when creator of the island beach bar, Stuart Fraser, and the new owner, Iain McAlpine, completed all of the necessary legalities for the sale of the business.

Lochaber MSP presses Scottish Government over fate of pupil support assistants

Fiona Scott — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Major cuts in the allocation of hours are expected to hit primary schools across Lochaber.

Pupils motivate the case for Arran Music School award

Colin Smeeton — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:54:00 GMT

A group of Arran High School students have secured a significant donation for Arran Music School at this year’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

Shanty festival heaves in crowds

Kathie Griffiths — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:54:00 GMT

Back for its fifth year, Oban International Sea Festival would like to return for a 6th edition but will need more sponsorship to make if that is going to happen, says organiser Tom Malone