Seil Island - the place to find Scarecrows
from 22 - 30 July 2023
Seumas decided to do a wee tour of his 'patch' before setting up at the junction at the shop in Balvicar. He's trying to remind everyone he's looking for all his cousins to make an appearance at the Festival here on Seil.
Here he's been bending the rules a bit -- down at the playback! However, there are no rules for scarecrows!!
Seumas the Scarecrow has finally woken up after a long winters nap and decided we should have another produce show after last year's success.
Seumas is hoping there will be loads of entries.
The classes are as follows:-
Its back...!
Seumas the Scarecrow (tho now resting) also wants to thank all those folk who worked away behind the scenes: the lady who made him for starters, the putter-uppers, the taker-downers, the behind-the-sceners, the bakers and makers, the donaters of time and goods. It all adds up to a successful event.
Seil Scarecrow Committee is very excited to announce ....... that the total amount raised during Scarecrow Week is ......
a fantastic £9042.17 !!!
Amazing !!!
Huge thank you to everyone who took part; from buying a book of raffle tickets to attending events and of course to making all those splendid scarecrows which make the event to start with.❤❤
Lastly ...... a few pictures of the weeks events .....
Well there we go ... a week over in a flash and all the time and effort put in has been well worth it. Its a wet morning so the guilt factor of having a lie in is running at minimum .
Friday's events were well attended.... 8 folk chilling at Karen's yoga, and the skiff did 5 try-a-row sessions . However, the evening event ... the quiz and curry night brought in 59 people. We did slightly worry we might have to lock the doors!! After a couple of rounds of high intensity questions, the buffet opened with chefs ready to dish up meat and vegan dishes..... all delicious!
It was a tremendous night with a super atmosphere, and everyone seemed to have had a good time. No tears over losing and congratulations to the winners.
After a late night, the team were busy again booking in exhibitors for the produce show, and we were very pleased with the number of entrants. Then that moment of calm whilst the judges made their decisions. Congratulations to all rosette winners.
The afternoon kicked off with the first Seil Scarecrow Scramble hill race with 20 competitors of all ages!
Great organisation by Jan Fraser who had Oban Mountain Rescue team on hand just in case.
Winners
Under 18 (m) A Innes
18-39 (m) S Raebitt
40-59 (m) N Innes
60+ (m) M McCart
Under 18 (f) D Dugdale
40-59 (f) J Findlay
60+ (f) D McCart
A well attended afternoon back at the hall, with busy sales of homemade lemonade and burgers, lots of interest in the produce show. The cafe ladies kept going with unending supplies of sandwiches and cakes. Lady Peacock's stall kept the sugar levels up amongst the youngsters (actually thats not entirely true, those lucky bags of sweets were perfect for keeping the energy levels up for the big people too!)
The Dog Show ... we were entertained by a large 'doodle' dashing off across the field ignoring his owner as did a lurcher (correct me if im wrong) who would clearly have run all day. Another hound got into the prize bag in an attempt to snaffle the treats . Dogs really run the show! Congratulations to those who did what was asked of them and comiserations to those who didnt win a prize but took part anyway.
Next was Seumas Anderson's tug of war competition with the usual hilarious efforts by adults and children alike .
The finale ....
the winners of the best and scariest scarecrows went to
🏆Alan Coutts for Dead End Teddy for the scariest and
🏆🏆The Best Scarecrow went to the Nicholson
boys for Bob and Cherry Seilasaurus
Thereafter the draw for the Grand Raffle which had some super prizes.
Sunday morning's thanksgiving service at the hall was well attended and a welcome calm time to reflect .
Congratulations to committee members and all of you who helped to make this such a happy and successful week. The bunting's down, the posters removed and Seumas the Scarecrow has been transported back to his creator for a bit of a dry out, tlc and put to bed.
Left at the hall after yesterday's produce fair. Let us know if they are yours
Seil hosts festival of full-on scarecrow fun 🥰
https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2023/07/27/starters-orders-for-seil-scarecrows/
The last event of our Scarecrow Festival 2023 will be a Thanksgiving Service with the Netherlorn Churches.
The cafe church will start at 11am with the service starting at 11:30 at Seil Island Hall
Judging will start at 1030 tomorrow so make sure you have your entries displayed in the hall before then! Good luck everyone
We've got a jam packed day of fun ahead of us tomorrow. Some key times,🕚...
Doors open at 08.30 for you to bring your produce down.
Registration for the Scarecrow Scamper Hill Race open from 11am
Wildflower walk leaving at 11am
Still chance to prepare your entries for tomorrow's produce competition. Here's a reminder of the categories
Friday's set to be busy... however, take time out if you can and head for Karen's Yoga session to set you up for the day.
After a refreshment at the hall cafe, why not give skiff rowing a go. Leaving from the Sealife Adventures pontoon at Clachan Seil. Its a very companionable thing to do learning how it feels to row as a team, and view yhe landscape from the water.
Finally, there's a fantastic quiz and curry night at the hall. Team up with friends old and new to try to win the quiz..... all this brain power needs feeding and a splendid curry buffet is included in the price. Sorry, no bookings .... so don't dally .!
Great turn out for the showing of The Wicker Man!!
Today's a day for an island explore and to seek out all those scarecrows around the island . . And vote for your favorite.
The pop up cafe is open to cater with light refreshments from 10 til 4.
An old classic will be available tonight. The Wicker Man (15) will be showing on the big screen at the hall this evening. Starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland and Christopher Lee
Paid Bar.
Yesterday's gloomy start lifted when a group of intrepid swimmers joined the Dunearn Bluetits for a dip in a flat calm sea. No nasty sea critters about and a very convivial time had by all. The Bluetits were all organised with delicious after-swim eats and coffee all helped along by a cosy campfire. Lovely to welcome visitors .... including some new to sea swims.
James took us on a most interesting wild flower walk in the sunshine. One gentleman said 'i thought it was just green outside. In fact there's so much to look at and they all have names!'
Back at the hall, Debbie found her stone painting class was full! The initial couple of tables had grown to extend the length of the hall with people of all ages busily decorating slates. A very successful afternoon.
45 people came together in the evening to sing-along to songs from the movies. There are some good voices out there. Seil Sound is a community choir to which all are welcome. No auditions. Just come along at 7.30 on a Wednesday evening.
Séamus loves a singalong! How about joining him and members of Seil Sound this evening to sing 'Songs from the Movies' at Seil Island Hall this evening.
Whet your whistle at the pay bar. It would never do to be thirsty!
A bit of a damp day but just what our wild flowers need! James is a fount of knowledge about wildflowers and will be delighted to share this with you on one of his wildflower strolls this afternoon
The forecast isnt exactly sparkling for Wednesday afternoon. However we have a stone painting session in the hall, with Debbie. All materials supplied, tho you are welcome to bring your own stone to decorate.
Come and join us! Not forgetting of course, the pop-up cafe across the corridor for cake to keep you going!
All ages welcome.
The moths may remain under cover for another time. However the Bluetits aren't fazed by a spot of rain. Unless it is utterly torrential we will still be at the beach to welcome one and all. Please come supplied with a bag that closes to keep your clothes dry and make sure you have warm layers for afterwards. I am assured that coffee and cake .
Look out for the lady in the very loud dryrobe at the car park opposite the primary school at Ellenabeich.
A quiet start to the week at Kristina's photography class yesterday. However, we have high hopes that our Maggie will come up with some super images for our page.
Ron Hetherington found himself quite a following on his history walk around Ellenabeich. Returning walkers were full of fascinating facts learned from Ron and were ready for a cuppa and refreshments at the Pop-up Cafe at the hall. The ladies there have a steady supply of freshly made goodies. Bargain at £4 for sandwiches, cake and drinks.
Evening brought out the musicians, playing traditional tunes down at the Tigh a Truish pub where, earlier in the day, a number of enthusiastic home cooks had enjoyed learning some professional tips in bread making.
Today's cairn building session was a great success with even the least keen youngster deciding that this was something he could do. Not surprisingly, local lassie Gillian.... who's had a fair bit of practice over the years built the tallest structure with Duncan a close 2nd. Rosettes all round.
I returned to the beach an hour or so later for some photos..... there were more.......!
While Seumas may be able to control his Scarecrow friends and family, he can't control the weather...
Tomorrow's moth trapping event has been cancelled due to rain forecast over night.
The moths will be less active, and the equipment prone to damage in the rain so the difficult decision has been made to cancel. Please spread the word...
Our pop up cafe has something for all the family. Fresh cake and sandwich selection changing throughout the day
Tea, cake and a sandwich for just £4. What's not to love!
Our slate beaches are a blank canvas for getting creative. Come down for our cairn building competition at 2pm and show off your balancing talent!
The cafe is open again from 10.30 with lots of scrummy treats 🍰🧁and sandwiches🥪, and that all important tea and coffee ☕.
And for the golfers amongst us, the Isle of Seil Golf Club will be running their Texas Scramble Competitio
Easdale
Oban
PA344RQ
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Seil Scarecrow Festival 2024 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
