Oban’s Elder Statesmen is a group of retired individuals from hugely diverse backgrounds who meet every Thursday morning in the Oban Bay Hotel to put the world to rights over tea, coffee, scones with clotted cream and jam. Bacon Rolls are also available on request.
An early member of these meetings was the late Bill Crerar, a well known architect in Oban in days gone by and the founder of the Crerar Hotels Group which owns the Oban Bay Hotel. The Crerar Hotels Group have been generous benefactors to Oban and district for many years. It is unclear when the Elder Statesmen first met but weekly meetings have continued uninterrupted for well over 30 years despite attendance being entirely voluntary and attendees dropping away from time to time due to natural causes. To qualify one only needs to be retired and have a sense of humour!
From the left in our picture are:- Ken Oxland (Naval Officer), Walter Burton (Schoolteacher), Frank Walton (Photographer and Businessman), Graham MacQueen (Mariner & Businessman), Iain Mac Intyre (Banker), Ken Munro (Fire master), Billy MacLean (Optical Technician) Douglas Small (Sheriff), Ellis Carmichael ( Property Agent & Consultant), Phil Monteith ( Quantity Surveyor), Ken Moncrieff (Schoolmaster) and last but not least the lovely Tess who normally chairs the meetings!
The Elder Statesmen maintain a close relationship with the Rotary Club of Oban.
The elder statesmen, who meet weekly on a Thursday at Oban Bay Hotel, are seen here at the hotel enjoying their annual Christmas Lunch. In the picture L-R are :- PP Frank Walton, PP Ken Moncrieff, PP Billy MacLean, PP Ken Oxland, President Iain Mac Intyre, President Elect Douglas Small and Bill Coutts, former President of the Lions Club who work very closely with Oban Rotary. Not in the picture are frequent attendees, Ellis Carmichael, George Miller and Walter Burton.
The elder statesmen club is very much open to new attendees from Rotary or indeed anyone who enjoys erudite conversation, repartee or simply good quality local gossip over tea/coffee + scones, cream and jam on offer at £2 a head. Membership is, however, subject to a rigorous vetting procedure!!!