The ScotRail Alliance has been confirmed as the major national sponsor of Oban Live, Argyll’s biggest live music event June 2 and 3. The rail service provider is providing the event with key funding and additional marketing support.
The West Highland Line, a three hour journey which runs from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and costs just under £40 for a return trip, has previously been voted the most scenic train route in the world. This is highlighted in the event’s series of films called “Oban Live: Choose your journey” which features the spectacular ways to travel to Oban from Glasgow and the isles. The full film, just over three minutes long and featuring the West Highland Line, went live on the event’s Facebook page on Thursday May 25 and is fast becoming an online hit. Three film shorts have followed, one for rail (going live tonight May 30), sail and road. The digital marketing project was supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Event Directorate.
Oban station is at Station Square, right in the heart of Oban’s town centre. The square marks the start of the Oban Live Trail, a short walking route that guide visitors to the event. Travelling by train is expected to be a top travel choice for those going to Oban Live this year as visitors can quite simply get off the train and walk to the event.
Held at Oban’s famous shinty ground, Mossfield Stadium, Oban Live is the biggest live music event in the region of Argyll & Bute and takes place on June 2 and 3. Last year’s inaugural event attracted 7,800 people to Oban, bringing in a £1.1million economic boost for the pretty coastal town. The line-up this year includes legendary household names Hue And Cry and Toploader as well as a number of Scottish and Irish traditional music stars and Celtic rockers such as Skerryvore, Skipinnish, Tide Lines, We Banjo 3, Trail West and more.
Daniel Gillespie, Managing Director for Oban Live said: “We are delighted to announce ScotRail as our major national sponsors of the event this year. The funding and marketing support they will, and have already, provided is critical to the successful delivery of the event. To have an operations establishment as big as ScotRail join us this year as sponsors is an asset to the event and we thank them for their support.”
He added: “The Glasgow to Oban train journey is spectacular so for anyone that has not yet planned their journey to Oban or is thinking of joining us last minute, you are only 3 hours away from attending Argyll’s biggest music event!”
Alasdair Smart, the ScotRail Alliance’s tourism manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Oban Live, which combines and celebrates the very best of local music and culture.
“Events and festivals such as this not only attract local residents, but also encourage visitors from all over Scotland and further afield to get out and about to enjoy our incredible country. We’ve no doubt that Oban will welcome them with their usual inimitable hospitality.”