Ceilidhs, castles, cruises and comedy: Oban Lesbian+Weekend turns five!
BY OBAN LESBIAN+ WEEKEND, IMAGES PROVIDED
Forget what you know about festivals – Oban Lesbian+ Weekend (OLW+) is in a league of its own. Imagine a weekend where 300 queer women take over a seaside town, hop on boats to wild Scottish islands, share group dinners by the sea, dance at a ceilidh, and party with BAFTA-winner Karen Dunbar, who shot to fame when she starred in Chewin’ The Fat. That’s OLW+ – and it’s celebrating its fifth birthday in 2026!
Founder Maz Gordon admits that in year one, not everyone believed it would work. “Some venues told us lesbians wouldn’t drink as much as men – and that we’d never see a Sunday night in Oban packed with lesbians!” she laughs. “They couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Fast-forward five years and the festival has become legendary. In 2025, Karen Dunbar was the main host and DJ, bringing her trademark humour to everything from the Friday night party to the Sunday cabaret. She even turned the charity raffle into a comedy act when an American guest tried her prize – homemade Scottish tablet!
Joining her was Bad Girls actress Nicole Faraday, who flew straight from Spain’s Ella Festival to run a “Bad Girls” themed workshop and wow guests with her cabaret performance – alongside her partner Mandy, a real-life prison warden, who joined for an audience Q&A.
The weekend’s famous booze cruise returned, complete with live music from queer performers Emily Sutherland and Emma Foreman. Some danced with pints in hand, others sipped tea on the top deck, taking in the sea views. And if that wasn’t enough, guests joined seaside yoga, paddleboarding, wild swimming and snorkelling. Next year, there’s even a new medal for everyone who braves the clear, blue waters: “I’ve dipped with dykes in Oban Bay!”
For those a little less energetic there are options to do a group whisky tasting, take part in the pool tournament or workshops, enjoy hosted meals or relax in the outdoor hot tub experience watching boats and women go by! The ceilidh remains a festival favourite – full of laughter, new friends, and swapped dance partners. “No one cares if you mess up – that’s half the fun!” says Maz.
Guests can stay everywhere from the Oban Bay Hotel (complete with outdoor hot tubs and saunas overlooking the sea) to the Alexandra Hotel with a pool or the seafront YHA, which OLW+ takes over for the weekend. “The YHA is a real social hub,” Maz explains. “You can cook, chat, and make friends in dorms tailored to different vibes – whether that’s under-35s, trans and non-binary guests, or quieter dorms for early nights.”
It’s not been easy but we have a fantastic team. I really wanted a festival manager who was based in Scotland. However, when Leanne Chambers contacted me and told me was a Kiwi ex army major, who has worked at lesbian festivals like Lfest and Unity, as well as managing a team at Glastonbury each year, I realised I’d rather have an amazing manager who was based a short flight away in Bristol. Leanne’s partner Jo also works at OLW+, and got a lot of interest from women at the Vanlife Workshop and networking event.
Workshops are a huge part of the weekend, too. They had everything from foraging and shamanic drumming to ADHD and menopause sessions, plus next year there will be a salsa class, sound bath with cacao, and a lesbian literature workshop with returning author Angela Peaches.
In 2026, OLW+ will also head to the island of Kerrera – just five minutes by ferry – for paddleboarding, wild swims, hikes to Gylen Castle, and live acoustic sets with local musicians. Or hop on a wildlife cruise and spot white-tailed eagles, seals and the ruins of Dunollie Castle. For more experienced paddleboarders, our instructors will even let you paddleboard all the way to the island of Kerrera!
To celebrate its fifth year, Edinburgh’s DJ Trendy Wendy returns to open the festival, with more performers to be announced soon. Women travel from across the globe – last year, 22% came from overseas – so OLW+ now offers Thursday add-ons like karaoke nights and island day trips after the main event for those who want to turn the weekend into a week-long adventure. Most women coming further than Edinburgh decide to come on Thursday, so they are fresh for the weekend’s events.
Whether you’re flying solo, with friends or with your other half, OLW+ is warm, inclusive and full of laughter. “We get so many emails from women who are nervous,” says Maz. “But everyone ends up making new friends – or even finding love!” (Yes, there are engagement stories!)
Discounted “Mediumbird” tickets are already available at www.obanlesbianweekend.co.uk – grab yours early, and join the queerest party on the west coast.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
