Oban – a tiny town in Scotland about two hours’ drive from Glasgow – has been named the UK’s new must-visit gay and lesbian destination.
The town, which has 8,500 residents, hosts Oban Lesbian Weekend – one of the country’s largest lesbian events – and Oban Pride, which promotes equality and diversity throughout Oban and surrounding areas, through providing safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
The growing popularity of Oban Lesbian Weekend means that all the town’s hotels, hostels, campsites and self-catering apartments have been block booked for September’s gathering.
DIVA magazine’s founder, Maz Gordon, who started Oban Lesbian Weekend, said: “When I launched the Oban Lesbian Weekend in 2022 I expected around 30 women, but 130 turned up.
“This year we expect more than 350 guests.
“There are a lot of affluent professionals who are bringing their pink pounds up to Oban.”
Oban-born Gordon spent time in London and Brighton while working for LGBTQ+ media organisations but moved back to her hometown five years ago.
She added: “So many of my friends said they would love to come up and visit me in Oban – now half of Brighton is coming up here.
“There are not many lesbian events where people can see seals, castles, dolphins and minke whales and take part in alcoholic and non-alcoholic whisky tastings,” she said. “People are blown away by the beauty of the town and the area.”
The town has hosted an LGBTQ+ Pride event for the past six years. In the most recent census almost one in ten of the community’s 4,500 residents identified as being LGBTQ+.
Phill Dexter, chairman of Oban Pride, said. “However, Oban Pride has grown with nearly 600 people in 2024. We have people from all over the world travelling to join us.”
The annual Oban Pride event is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ communities and allies to come together to celebrate and promote equal rights throughout Scotland and across the world, while reflecting on LGBTQ+ history. More HERE
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