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Day 6
Breakfast: Served at the hotel from 7am-9am, with Scottish and American options available. Morning: At about 9:30am, we'll meet in a private room at the hotel for an hour-long conversation about a Controversial Topic--the quest for Scottish independence--with Campbell Cameron, the chairman the local Oban branch of the SNP. Now in his mid-60s, Campbell has been involved in politics for over 20 years, and brings his extensive experience to our conversation. Since Scotland first formed as a nation under the House of Alpin in the ninth century, it has maintained a fierce independent streak, defending its sovereignty against English invasion in two wars of independence. Although Scotland formally joined the United Kingdom in 1707, attitudes among the people continue to be divided, with many people today yearning to be a separate nation once again. Campbell shares this desire, as he'll tell us during this one-hour conversation. We'll have an exclusive opportunity--made possible by O.A.T.'s local connections in this country--to take a deep dive into the pro side of this issue with Campbell, who will talk about his passion for Scottish independence and his wish to keep the beauty and resources of the country for Scots alone. He'll also explain the work he does to make it a reality, traveling around the country to rally support for the cause, and spreading the word on Oban FM, the local radio station. As recently as 2011, the SNP won a majority of seats in Scotland's devolved parliament, and the governments of the United Kingdom and Scotland agreed to hold a referendum on the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" The vote was held in 2014, and its results reflected the people's strong, yet divided, opinions about this thorny issue. With a record-breaking turnout of 85%, the "no" option prevailed with 55.3% of the vote, while "yes" received 44.7%. Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom. While the results of the vote are binding, and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon--the first woman to hold the office--has called the referendum a "once in a generation" event, the issue is far from settled. The success of the United Kingdom's 2016 Brexit referendum has raised the question of Scottish independence once again. During that contentious vote, every single district in Scotland elected to remain in the EU, deepening the divide between the Scottish people and their neighbors to the south who forced them to leave. Campbell and his peers believe that an independent Scotland would mean they could control their own political destiny. Not only could Scotland have opted to remain in the EU, the country would also be able to utilize its own resources, such as the rich oil reserves in the North Sea, and no longer need to house the UK's stock of nuclear missiles. After our interactive conversation, we'll have 30 minutes to ask questions, such as how Campbell has seen the Scottish people's attitude towards independence shift over time; what are the next steps toward achieving it after the failed referendum of 2014; and how do split attitudes over independence affect personal relationships between the Scottish people? Keep Mr. Campbell's thoughts in mind as you continue your adventure. Later, when we explore Aberdeen on Day 11, we'll meet Liam Kerr--a conservative politician--to learn what the other half thinks as we hear the case for remaining in the United Kingdom. In the meantime, be sure to talk to local people--including your Trip Experience Leader--as you travel across Scotland to hear what they think about independence, and to gauge their opinion for yourself. After our conversation, around 10:30am, we'll join Mr. Campbell for on a walking tour of Oban. As a lifelong resident of this town, and beloved member of the community, he'll give us an exclusive insider's view. A town once quiet and unknown, Oban's steady rise from obscurity occurred in the 18th century when the town's first distillery opened its doors and the town was recognized as a gateway for ships to major cities like Glasgow and the Scottish Isles. Exports like whisky and the construction of striking features like McCaig's Tower supported Oban's growth. During our tour, we'll see locals going about their daily routines, and we'll discover some of the town's highlights, including the aforementioned tower. This building, constructed in the 19th century, calls to mind another famous European landmark: Rome's Colosseum. While it is believed to have been inspired by Italy's famous structure, the tower was never intended to host gladiator battles or similar events. Established in the 19th century under the direction of a local banker by the name of John Stuart McCaig, the tower's two purposes were to create construction jobs for the people of Oban and to have the McCaig name cemented in stone. Today, the monument boasts expansive views of the town below and a tranquil garden. Our tour of Oban ends around 11:30am. Lunch: On your own around 11:30am. You may seek out a seafood restaurant, for which Oban is rightly famous. Afternoon: After a couple of hours to yourself, we'll depart around 4:30pm for a 15-minute drive to Kilbride Graveyard, where Liam, the local man responsible for the site's revival, will give us a tour. After purchasing the house next door for their retirement, Liam and his wife Myra discovered the overgrown graveyard was actually the final resting place of the chief of the Clan McDougal, who once ruled the area. Liam and Myra were saddened to see how the graveyard had fallen into such disrepair, so they established a team of volunteers known as the Friends of Kilbride to clean up and restore the historical site. They have since devoted much of their retirement to the project and are passionate stewards of the graveyard and its inhabitants; they even allow descendants of the buried to visit their property as a way of preserving the dignity of the dead. During our visit, Liam will give us a tour of the graveyard, telling us colorful tales about the souls who are buried here. We'll also hear about his discovery process and enjoy a short film about the site. If the ghost stories have you feeling peckish, Myra will be on hand with tea and her homemade shortbread. Then, a 10-minute drive takes us to the local pub near Liam and Myra's house, where we'll share dinner with the couple. Dinner: Around 6:15pm in a local pub, featuring Scottish classics. As regulars of the pub, Liam and Myra can suggest dishes, and perhaps even introduce you to the pubs other patrons. This is sure to be an evening of good food and better company. We'll depart for the brief 10-minute drive back to our hotel around 7:30pm. Evening: You are free to relax at the hotel and get some rest before our discoveries tomorrow, or you may head back out to find a pub where you can enjoy live music--perhaps you'll raise your glasses and say slàinte mhath, pronounced "slange var," which is a traditional toast that translates to "good health." |
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5/6/21 |
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Explore Oban
Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today will feature the Controversial Topic of Scottish independence. We'll meet with local Campbell Cameron who has been involved in Scottish politics for over 20 years and brings his extensive experience to our conversation. His personal opinion will also inform how you gauge this divided subject as we continue our journey through Scotland. Read more about this informative conversation below.