Festival of Sea: Why we are holding it!
The climate, geography, history, heritage and employment of Oban, Lorn and the Isles are defined by the sea.
This festival aims to recognise this relationship in celebration and with pride.
Specific festival objectives:
- To increase awareness of the importance of the sea on a local, regional and global scale
- To engender pride and stewardship in the community towards their local marine environment
- To excite young audiences about careers based around the sea and in science
- To provide a discussion forum on how to manage multiple and conflicting uses of the sea
- To empower participants to understand and question latest advances in marine research
- To increase public perception of the Oban area as a location for the marine environment, in particular for marine research and education, seafood and marine tourism.
- To promote healthy living options provided by the marine environment including seafood and marine sports
Management of the Festival of the Sea
The Festival of the Sea is an idea of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, developed during a precursor project - 'Towards a Marine Science Festival in Argyll' funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The first festival was held in 2010 and was funded by the Scottish Government, LEADER Argyll and the Isles, Yeoman Glensanda and SAMS, with support also from the Scottish Book Trust.
The 2012 Festival is overseen by a steering committee:
- Linda Battison (Oban & Lorn Tourism Association)
- Norman Bissell (Geopoet, Isle of Luing)
- Marina Curran-Colthart (Argyll and Bute Council)
- Iain Fulton (Head of Science, Oban High School)
- Cllr Louise Glen-Lee (BIDS4Oban)
- Derek Gorrie (UHI STEM Co-ordinator)
- Cllr Neil MacKay (Argyll & Bute Council)
- Helen McNeill (SAMS)
- Dr Anuschka Miller (SAMS)
- Cllr Elaine Robertson (Argyll & Bute Council)
- Finlay Wells (Nutshell Music)
- Mark Steward (Argyll & Bute Council)
The festival is organised by two members of the SAMS communications team: Helen McNeill (coordinator) and Dr Anuschka Miller (director).
Contact details
Festival of the Sea organisers
SAMS
Scottish Marine Institute
Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA
T: 01631 559000
