When she came back to Oban, Maz Gordon was happy to be home.
Sea views? Check. A change of pace after city crowds around the world? Check.
Just one thing was missing: she wasn’t getting what she was looking for from the gay scene.
But after organising the town’s first Oban Lesbian Weekend in August last year, she says the town is turning into a mini-Brighton.
Maz, 43, is the editor of OutNewsGlobal, an LGBTQ online magazine.
She moved back to Oban just before covid, and now enjoys working from home.
It seems the first Oban Lesbian Weekend put Oban on the map.
She said: “Brighton has always been known as the gay capital of the UK.
The new Hebden Bridge?
“Oban is becoming like a mini-Brighton.”
She has an even better example.
“Hebden Bridge is a small town like Oban, in the north of England. It is well-known as the lesbian capital of the UK. Oban is heading in the same direction.
“It just goes to show you don’t have to go to the big cities to find a gay community.”
Oban Lesbian Weekend is a cross between a package holiday and a mini festival.
Think cocktails, ceilidhs, cruises, castles, paddle boarding, hot tubs, DJs and dancing.
This year’s event takes place from July 28-31. After 130 weekenders filled Markie Dan’s pub last year, they are having to move to a bigger venue at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls.
DJ Sandra D and her wife, the singer Alabaster Queen, are coming from Manchester to perform. They have been the highlight at pride events and queer clubs across the UK over the last 20 years.
Returning for the second year, DJ Trendy Wendy is an Edinburgh LGBTQ icon.
There will be hosted dinners and ice-breaking games at the start of the event, giving people a chance to get to know each other.
Showcasing the best of what Oban has to offer
Beach trips, paddle boards, swim sessions, hosted walks around the scenic town and brunch meet-ups are all part of the fun.
Maz said: “The paddle boarding, seafood, ceilidhs and boat trips are all really popular but everyone likes different things.”
Some of the less energetic pursuits include the Oban Distillery tour and a thermal spa hot tub experience.
There will also be book and film workshops.
Maz said: “I never thought about moving back to Oban but due to circumstances I moved back nine months before covid.
“When I first moved back I found it difficult to find other lesbians, even at the Oban Pride event.”
Lots of local support
Maz added: “Local people are really supportive. A lot of B&Bs are getting return bookings from people who have attended Oban Lesbian Weekend.
“Every week I get a message from someone saying they are thinking about moving here or coming up for a visit.
“I think a lot of LGBT people are moving to Oban. A few have taken up jobs in the hospitality industry.”
Maz is the daughter of the late John Ogden, who died earlier this year. He made Oban famous with his Green Seafood Shack.
She quipped: “My dad made Oban the Seafood Capital of Scotland. Maybe I’ll make it the Lesbian Capital.”
People are coming from all over the UK, and from as far afield as Kuala Lumpur and San Fransisco.
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