Oban has been crowned as Town of the Year in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
It has lifted the title after judges heard how townsfolk have banded together to “reinvent” the picturesque Argyllshire community.
The accolade comes amid a remarkable year in which the town has shone in the global spotlight, delivering a multi-million pound economic boost as a port in The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race – alongside the likes of Washington DC and Cape Town.
It also recently played host to Scotland’s Royal National Mod festival, a celebration of Gaelic culture which attracted in excess of 10,000 people.
STV weather presenter Sean Batty – an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local – joined in the celebrations as he presented the Town of the Year award to community champions in Oban.
He said: “What strikes me is how passionate everyone here is about their town. People who’ve moved here from elsewhere have just fallen in love with the place.
“It’s easy to see why Oban is so special. Every person I’ve spoken to talks about how it’s the people who make the place and how they’re at the heart of keeping the town thriving. This award is well-deserved recognition for all that they do.”
A panel of independent judges brought together by awards organisers Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) had the tough task of selecting the Town of the Year, sponsored by tech firm Vicinity.
STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie, who was also part of the award presentation, said: “Oban should wear its Town of the Year crown with pride.
“Its success is such a great example of amazing workmanship to deliver on the community’s vision and ambition. This richly-deserved award recognises everything that goes on behind the scenes to make all of this possible.”
Much of the transformation seen in Oban in recent years has been credited with the town’s Business Improvement District, BID4Oban, forging new links with businesses, organisations and people to make things happen since its launch in 2012.
That teamwork has ranged from supporting festive lights and hanging baskets throughout the town and sponsoring Oban Pride Weekend to attracting small cruise ships to visit and playing a key part in the team attracting and supporting the Clipper visit.
Other recent work has included that with Argyll and Bute Council on the revamp of the busy Gibraltar Street thoroughfare, as well as continual efforts to champion the town’s vibrant independent businesses to locals and visitors alike.
Andrew Spence, BID4Oban’s Chief Executive, said: “We are beyond delighted that Oban is Scotland’s Town of the Year.
“The reinvention in the town over the last 12 years really has been inspirational. We have a vibrant town centre with events that benefit both locals and visitors.
“Oban, like several towns, was tired before the BID. We were suffering from changes to retail, an ageing demographic, low-end tourism, poor and tired infrastructure and lack of promotion of the town as a destination.
“Through collaborative and partnership working, Oban is now vibrant and welcoming as the gateway to the islands through our major ferry port and the Seafood Capital of Scotland.
“The feedback we received after the Clipper race was that the organisers, crews and their families thought this was one of the best stopover and host ports anywhere in the world – and the community benefited hugely.”
Council leader: I could not be prouder
The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: “I am delighted that Oban has been crowned Scotland’s Town of the Year. I am lucky enough to call this beautiful town my home and I could not be more proud to live in such a wonderful place. The council has invested millions of pounds to improve Oban town centre over the last few years, and we have invested more than £1.5 million on the North Pier Pontoons.
“We’re delighted to have also been a partner in delivering the highly-successful Clipper Round the World Race and the Royal National Mod. These events not only helped attract more visitors, providing substantial economic benefits to the area, but they also helped showcase the town’s unique community spirit and hospitality.
“The Clipper Round the World Race in particular allowed us to highlight the amazing marine tourism opportunities we have here in Argyll and Bute and, due to its success, we look forward to making a bid for the event to return to the town in 2026.”
Oban residents: Why our town is so special
Residents in Oban are in no doubt that it’s the people and the spirit of the community which makes the town so special, for locals and visitors alike.
Karen Lindsay moved to the town from Renfrewshire for work in the hospitality industry 34 years ago and now owns The Oban Beer Seller, an independent shop on Stafford Street.
She said: “I couldn’t ever imagine calling anywhere else home. The physical beauty is undeniable, but there’s a brilliant community.
“My shop opened on the eve of lockdown and if it hadn’t been for their support, I wouldn’t be here. Everyone helps each other. It’s such a lovely place. There are loads of great independent shops in Oban.”
Her sentiments are shared by Fran Melville, who moved to Oban 31 years ago and is part of the team at Button Nose Boutique, on Airds Crescent.
“I absolutely love Oban. It’s such a friendly place to stay,” she said. “Cities are lonely places, but Oban is just so friendly – and everything you need is here.
“It’s a great place to bring up children. There’s freedom here that they don’t have in other places.”
Tony Cave is the chair of BID4Oban and has run Craigard Decor in the town for 28 years.
He spoke of his pride in Oban and its town of the year title, saying: “When people ask where I live I tell them where with a huge smile on my face.
“If you’re happy, love your life and love the place where you live, that says a lot. People have worked so hard to move us forward.”
Mr Cave pointed to the recent revamp to Gibraltar Street, adding: “It was quite rundown and there was an opportunity to improve that area. It’s made a huge difference as to how the town looks.
“The people here are what makes the town successful. We’re all here to help each other. They are what makes me proudest about Oban. We used to be known as a place where people went to go to the islands, but now people are seeing it as a place where people come to and stay.”
Graeme Bass is vice-president of insurance brokers Marsh Commercial, a former director of BID4Oban and runs a weekly pub quiz in the town.
He said: “Work was the initial draw that brought me to Oban. Making it easy to stay was experiencing what it’s like to be here.
“The community is second to none – where everyone really does look out for each other. It wrapped its arms around me quickly and made it feel like home. And this is home now.
“We all face the same challenges together and help each other find ways around them. It’s great to be part of that.”
Donna McCulloch has run Roxy’s Coffee and Tea House on Argyll Square for 17 years and is a real champion for the area – even celebrating its talents and attractions in her own recipe book.
“Oban’s a beautiful, loving, giving town. People are very hospitable, we have fantastic restaurants and the views are beautiful. It’s just the best place,” she said.
John McLachlan owns the Whisky Vaults Hotel, which boasts a collection of more than 400 whiskies, including Oban’s own.
He said: “We get visitors from all over Scotland – and all over the world – to enjoy a dram. It’s nice when they all mix. We try to make Oban a friendly town that everyone wants to come back to. You always find things to do in Oban, whatever the weather.”
The award-winning Oban Winter Festival, now in its 14th year, has grown into one of the town’s annual highlights, bringing residents and visitors together.
Pamela Lockhart, one of the volunteers behind the event, said: “The festival’s successful because everyone in town has the opportunity to be part of the festival – businesses, charities, schools. We know that people are returning and there are bus parties which come for the festival.
“It’s a bit like August in November. The town’s really busy.”
An inspiration to others
Technology solutions company Vicinity, which works with a range of towns across the country to analyse, understand and develop towns to meet shopper and visitor demands, sponsored the Town of the Year category in the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Chief Executive Henry Jinman said: “Oban’s a shining light for what other towns can achieve through collaboration, innovation and ambition. Massive congratulations go to the whole town.
“Other communities really can be inspired by what’s happening here. I cannot wait to spend some time with some of the BID4Oban team shortly to celebrate, learn more about their success and how they plan to continue improving the town.”
Other finalists in the Scotland Loves Local Awards Town of the Year category were Broughty Ferry (Dundee), Darvel (East Ayrshire), East Kilbride (South Lanarkshire) and Inverurie (Aberdeenshire).
Oban factfile
- Oban means The Little Bay in Gaelic.
- The town has a population of just over 8,100, which swells to more than 24,000 at the peak of the tourist season.
- The modern town of Oban grew around Oban Distillery, which was founded in 1794 by the Stevenson family and stands just 208 steps from the seafront. The distillery is one of the town’s major visitor attractions.
- McCaig Tower, the Grade-B Roman coliseum-inspired landmark sitting on Battery Hill, is perhaps the town’s most striking sight. Funded by architect John Stuart McCaig, its construction began in 1897 and ended following his death in 1902.
- Oban’s highest-profile current resident is golfer Robert MacIntyre, the Ryder Cup winner who plays on the European and PGA tours. His father, Dougie MacIntyre, is the greenkeeper at the town’s Glencruitten Golf Club.
- Shinty is the town’s biggest sport, with two teams – Oban Camanachd, who compete in the MOWI Premiership, and Oban Celtic.
- Oban’s Business Improvement District, BID4Oban, created history with its formation in 2012 as Scotland’s first whole-town improvement district. Until then, BIDs had traditionally covered only smaller geographic areas, such as town centres.
The Scotland Loves Local Awards
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
You can find out more about the Scotland Loves Local Awards by clicking here
