Normally it is a shining beacon above Oban, but McCaig’s Tower has lost its sparkle of late.
The famous folly has been in darkness since the new lighting system – installed as part of Argyll and Bute Council’s flagship Chord project – failed.
The tower is normally bathed in an array of beautiful bright colours, but the lights have been out for several months.
Now the pressure is on to get them fixed in time for Poppy Day in November so that it can be turned red.
Funded through Oban’s £4.865million share of the Chord (Campbeltown Helensburgh Oban Rothesay and Dunoon) waterfronts regeneration programme, the lighting system cost £50,000 when it was installed four years ago.
Before the lights became water damaged earlier this year, the facade of the tower changed colour every hour.
It was also lit up in specific colours on special occasions, such as blue and yellow for World Down Syndrome Day, purple for the Epilepsy Society’s purple day and blue for World Autism Awareness Week.
The council has now promised that repair work will begin on October 16 and should be complete within three weeks, depending on the weather.
Oban-based Councillor Roddy McCuish said: “I have been inundated with inquiries regarding the lights on McCaig’s Tower.
“More and more people and organisations have been contacting us to light up the tower for special occasions.
“Who can ever forget the time we had the French flag beamed across it when the dreadful terror attack took place in Paris?
“I think it is vitally important this work completed in time for Poppy Day so that we can have have the tower lit up in red again as a mark of respect.
“I will be doing my utmost to ensure these dates are adhered to.
“This was a major investment by the Chord initiative and I will be finding out why we are having to fix it so soon.”
A council spokesman said: “Parts of the lighting system have become water damaged and need to be replaced.
“Work will start this week on clearing shrubbery at the base of the tower to allow workers to safely install the new lights.
“This is due to begin week beginning Monday, October 16 and should hopefully be completed within three weeks, depending on the weather.”
