ORGANISERS of Oban’s Hogmanay Homecoming have confirmed that The Oban Times was right the Red Hot Chilli Pipers will lead the town’s new year celebrations at the end of 2008. News that the hugely popular ‘bag rock’ band would turn their backs on Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen in favour of Oban sparked excitement when first announced in The Oban Times in February, now the rush for tickets for the New Year bash will start in earnest.
Oban councillor Neil MacKay said this week that he hoped to have tickets on sale ‘in the very near future’ for what is sure to be a sellout event.
“Last year proved a huge success and this year we will welcome Skerryvore back, plus a local band from the 1980s is to reform for the night. There will also be a Gaelic element to the show and we will have special tickets available for children to make it a family
night to remember. “
Keep an eye on the website and local press over the next couple of weeks for the next update!
Song: We will rock you
Keep an eye on the website for more information, but the 2008/2009 event promises to be bigger and better!
Oban came alive at 9.30 pm on Hogmanay when the gates to the party in Tesco car park opened to a ‘sell out’ crowd of approx. 5500 people who enjoyed a safe family night of fun, good music and a real party atmosphere.
It all started late September when local Councillor Neil Mackay persuaded some of his colleagues on the Area Committee, some of his previous colleagues on the Community Council and a hand picked team to organise a street party for Hogmanay. There was some doubt that there was enough time to do it however Neil’s enthusiasm and drive rubbed off and the Oban Hogmanay Steering Group was formed.
Continue reading A massive thank you…..
After an incredible night in Oban we welcome you to 2008! We would like to thank everyone involved for a spectacular night!
Here are some of the comments we have received so far:
GREAT myself and everyone I spoke to on the night had a FANTASTIC time.Music was brilliant and the fireworks superb! Maybe some re-arrangement of the bar tents next time as the queue’s were quite long but WELL DONE to everyone involved and lets make this an annual event. - Carol
A great night!!!
Big THANK YOU to everyone involved. Excellent music, great atmosphere.
(just give us more chance to get tickets next year :-p) - Paul, Oban
great night, everyone enjoyed themselves.
Skerryvore were top class. - jennifef
A great night! Myself and evryone i spoke to had a fantastic time. Music and fireworks were brilliant! Perhaps some re-arrangement of the bar facilities next year as the ques were a bit long at times but I am glad to see its going to be an annual event.WELL DONE to all involved - Carol
Ticket Update:
We have had an overwhelming response for tickets this year and unfortunately not everyone were able to get tickets.
Tickets allocated on the website to users with a valid email confirmation are still valid and although some were unable to get tickets from the Tourist Information in Oban, your email confirmation will grant you access to the event.
Ticket waiting list:
If you have registered on the waiting list but have not been contacted regarding tickets then we are sorry but we cannot accommodate you at the event this year.
Event Cancellation:
In the event of extreme bad weather we may have to cancel the event. At this point in time the event will go ahead. Any updates on the event being cancelled will be posted on the website.
We hope to see you in Oban to welcome 2008!
The perfect culmination to The Highland Year of Culture 2007
Oban has pushed the boat out and organised a Hogmanay event which has all the ingredients of being a great family occasion. Kicking off at 9.30 pm in Tesco carpark, Ceilidh band Skerryvore top the bill in a great line up of live music which will rock on until the early hours of the morning. Fireworks at midnight from high above the town will form a fitting centrepiece to the evenings entertainment - all of which is FREE to both residents and visitors alike.
Following an overwhelming response for tickets, the event has now almost reached full capacity. However there may be more tickets released very soon.
In the meantime, if you have more tickets than you need, please make these available to family and friends who might be interested in them.
We are also aware that there is a misunderstanding regarding tickets reserved online - These tickets are valid provided you have received your confirmation email.
If you have any duplicate tickets (reserved online and also collected from town) please let us know by emailing tickets@obanhogmanay.co.uk or handing surplus tickets back to The Visit Scotland Tourist Information or Oban Music.
The whole community is really getting behind this event and in a ground breaking move, most of the pubs in Oban will be closing early in the evening with several providing outside bars. 
Mid-Argyll-based band - The Democrats - and Oban-based band - Chunks – both popular groups with a tremendous local following, have rearranged busy schedules in order to play live at the event to support the superb headline act - Skerryvore.