Archive News

An exciting opportunity has arisen for young people in Orkney to contribute to a national challenge which could help to shape what future island life might be like for them.

Orkney’s visual arts and craft makers community is being reminded the closing date for the current rounds of VACMA grants is 2 February.

A new exhibition of paintings will open at the Orkney Museum on Tuesday 9 February. 'Echoes of Orkney' is a series of paintings by local artist Tom Nugent celebrating all aspects of Orkney.

Orkney Islands Council’s achievement in winning a prestigious award for school meals during a pandemic should encourage other local authorities to follow our example, according to the Scottish Government’s Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Ben Macpherson MSP.

Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan has welcomed the announcement of a substantial increase in Scottish Government funding for inter-island ferry services in the Northern Isles.

Anna described a typical day of home-schooling with poor broadband.

Parents in Orkney have spoken of the daily challenges of remote learning – and called on the Scottish Government to prioritise areas with the poorest coverage and deliver on their promise of superfast broadband for all.

With new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Orkney over recent days, Orkney’s Caring for People group is reminding everyone of the measures they can take to help keep themselves and others safe.

There are still a few days left to benefit from a scheme to help get some of Orkney’s elderly or disabled folk online and better connected.

Orkney Islands Council is advising motorists of possible delays from tomorrow (27 January 2021) as works start to upgrade the streetlighting system, on the A966 between Finstown and the firth School.

Orkney Islands Council is highlighting changes to the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme to local employers and commending local businesses for their response so far.

When Orkney, along with the rest of the UK, was swept into an emergency lockdown last year, the teaching profession was forced into a situation of largely unfamiliar practices – classes of remote, invisible pupils and a reliance on digital learning. In 2021, although in familiar territory, this time they were armed with previous knowledge and experience and teachers have come up with some innovative practices to continue learning with children and young people.

As Orkney continues to be in Level Three COVID-19 restrictions until at least mid-February, we want to update our customers and staff on what impacts this will now have on Sport and Leisure activities and facilities up to the 28 February 2021.

Despite the best efforts of our gritters and crews over the weekend and this morning (25 January), we are receiving reports of some vehicles falling foul of the icy conditions.

Orkney Islands Council has arranged a special Saturday recycling collection run tomorrow (23 January) to collect the recycling missed in a number of Mainland areas on Thursday (21 January) due to the high winds.

The Orkney Museum is set to close temporarily while a new exhibition is set up.

Orkney Islands Council is advising it will be unable to carry out recycling collections in some areas today due to high winds.

Teachers and support staff in Orkney have joined pupils in a lockdown learning exercise  - using innovative ways to engage in live lessons online.

Parents in Orkney have spoken of the daily challenges of remote learning – and called on the Scottish Government to prioritise areas with the poorest coverage and deliver on their promise of superfast broadband for all.

Orkney Islands Council has experienced technical issues today (Wednesday 20 January) with the recycling vehicle serving Shapinsay.

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has embarked on a £3.7 million project to develop a sustainable aviation programme that could transform short flight travel between remote communities.

Orkney Islands Council is urging people interested in the wellbeing and interests of infants, children and young people in the county to consider becoming a member of the local Children's Panel.

The deadline date for submission of comments to the Scottish Government on proposed plans for a six turbine, council-owned wind farm at Wee Fea, has been extended until March.

Orkney businesses of all sizes are being urged to come forward with potential work placements for local young people, to help the county secure thirty government funded positions for workers aged 16-24.

With Orkney continuing to be in Level Three of the Scottish Governments COVID-19 restrictions until at least the 18 January, we want to update our customers and staff on what impacts this will have on Sport and Leisure activities and facilities from the 18 January until the 1 February 2021.

How are our small, but dedicated, CLD Team continuing to manage and develop since entering Level 3?

With change comes uncertainty and never more so is this being felt than at present as we all try our best to adjust to a new way of life.  For thousands of years, however, the people of Orkney have shown resilience and determination during times of adversity and have pulled together positively to seek innovative ways to work through challenging times, and this period is no exception.

In conjunction with the rest of the UK, parents, carers and pupils in Orkney experienced accessibility issues with Microsoft Teams – one of the main platforms being used for remote learning with schools closed meantime due to Scottish Government pandemic restrictions.

Orkney Islands Council is asking local residents who have been invited to join Orkney Opinions – but have not yet returned their membership survey - to do so by the end of this week.

As the mercury drops, Orkney Islands Council is highlighting again the help available for local householders through the Scottish Government’s HEEPS:ABS scheme to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Members of the public wishing to support, or object to, proposals for a six turbine wind farm at Wee Fea in Lyness are being reminded they have until the end of the month (31 January) to do so.

A replacement gritter has arrived on Hoy, and one is en route to Westray, ready to resume road treatments as required following breakdowns earlier this week.

Schools across Orkney will open tomorrow morning (Thursday 7 January) to provide childcare for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met this afternoon (5 January) to discuss yesterday's (4 January) update from the Scottish Government and the current rollout of vaccines to people aged over 80 in Orkney.

Unfortunately, due to vehicle breakdowns over the festive period, Orkney Islands Council gritters on Westray and Hoy are temporarily off the road.

Following the First Minister’s statement yesterday, Orkney Islands Council will fulfil the Scottish Government’s directive to open schools this week for the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children – largely in line with the timeline set out to local families and carers before Christmas.

The Reel was a well-established and valued business in Kirkwall, providing a popular café bar alongside a venue for teaching and performance of traditional Orkney music.

Kirkwall’s Marlene Croy has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her voluntary service to St Magnus Cathedral and the wider Orkney community.

The Leader of Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to finally bring in cheaper ferry fares for residents and visitors to the county – more than a decade after they were first rolled out elsewhere in Scotland.