Archive News

Orkney Islands Council is reminding drivers that a ‘first hour free’ approach at car parks across Kirkwall and Stromness for the 2021 summer period starts tomorrow, 1 July. 

A popular teacher heard the school bell ring for the last time at the end of term after an amazing 37 years at Westray Junior High School.

The Scottish Government has notified Orkney Islands Council today, Wednesday 30 June, of its decision to grant the Council’s appeal in respect of a planning application to extend Cursiter Quarry in Firth.

The Royal Navy Northern Diving Group will march through Kirkwall on July 9 as part of formalities conferring the Freedom of Orkney on the organisation.

Roads around central Kirkwall will be closed between midday and 2pm on Friday 9 July to enable a Freedom of Orkney ceremony and public procession to take place, with some bus services affected too.

The diversity and beauty of Orkney’s underwater wildlife is revealed in eight new short films released this week by the North Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Orkney Islands Council is proud of its workforce – many of whom will be your friends, neighbours or relatives - with over a quarter of Orkney’s working population employed with the local authority.

Work of the Lifeboat crew remains at the heart of the community.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have advised that refurbishment work at the Sunnybank Substation in Stromness will mean restrictions to traffic and pedestrian access at times over the days ahead.

Donation will go towards second detection dog.

Surface dressing work has been temporarily suspended because of a mechanical problem.

Councillors have praised the ‘magnificent efforts’ of OIC staff for their role in the delivery of many millions of pounds in Covid-19 support to businesses in Orkney.

Options for the future of inter-island transport in Orkney are being presented to the county’s isles communities for their feedback over coming weeks.

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed the award of £260,000 in support from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) for a major upgrade of the Point of Ness campsite in Stromness.

For operational reasons the Bossack Household Waste and Recycling Centre will be closed to the general public today, Thursday 24 June and tomorrow, Friday 25 June 2021.

The county’s health and social care teams have been praised for their work over the course of the pandemic in what has been described as “the most challenging and complex financial year in the history of the public sector”.

Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) is supporting efforts by NHS Orkney Public Health to contain the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

After a challenging year for many children and young people and with the school holidays fast approaching, the Council’s Sport and Leisure Team are delighted to announce Orkney’s participation in a national campaign to further develop and enhance the range of activities on offer locally this summer.

European Union citizens resident in Orkney are being reminded of the 30 June deadline to apply for “settled or pre-settled” status to enable onward living in the UK and the protection of their rights.

Almost 150 families in Orkney are to benefit from free school meal financial support over the summer holidays.

A new school holiday campaign being launched this week urges everyone in Orkney to enjoy plenty of summer fun time with extended family and friends after months of pandemic restrictions, but to be alert for signs that the lockdown experience was anything but fun for some children.

Orkney SWI knit hundreds of teddies for nursery children

Stromness Primary’s Karen Bevan is due to make a TV appearance this evening (Tuesday 22 June).

Councillors have recommended up to £106k be drawn from its own Coronavirus Response Fund to support the implementation of up to twenty Council-based ‘Kickstart’ posts for young people as part of efforts to ensure they are not left behind as a result of the pandemic.

This afternoon and tomorrow, Wednesday 23 June, crews will be carrying out surface dressing works on Tankerness Hall Road in Tankerness.

Orkney Islands Council is advising that applications are now open for assistance towards the cost of supporting young people to continue their studies.

An exciting new development to extend and alter Glaitness Primary School and Nursery is due to get underway soon.

Two youths have been charged in relation to the damage caused to seating within the Kirkwall Travel Centre.

A digital guide is now available for one of Orkney’s most popular coastal walks.

Orkney Islands Council is reminding pupils and families of the support and advice available as they await provisional results, due to be sent to pupil's homes on 22 and 23 June by post.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 22 June, crews will return to Yinstay Road in the morning to complete work there, before moving onto Tankerness Hall Road in Tankerness in the afternoon. 

Orkney Islands Council is in the process of identifying all residents in the county who are eligible for a one-off Low Income Pandemic payment of £130 to help with increased costs and lost income due to coronavirus.

Children’s Hearings Scotland in Orkney is looking for people who have good assessment, observation, and communication skills to join our team as a volunteer Panel Practice Advisor.

Friends launch crowd fundraiser for family facing uncertain future

“Cancer can take away many things, but not our precious memories” – Georgia Bendall

Orkney Islands Council has launched a public consultation into the location-specific community benefit scheme which could arise from Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project if the project is built.

Surface dressing work is planned for Tankerness on Monday 21 June and Tuesday 22 June.

Wreaths were laid today at the war memorials in Kirkwall and Stromness to mark the founding a century ago of the Royal British Legion (Scotland).

Folk in Orkney are being reminded to have a look at the exhibition boards detailing the preferred concept for a new community park at Papdale in Kirkwall, which are in place close to the path at Kirkwall Grammar School.

Social care worker Rachel Thomson not only changes some of Orkney’s most vulnerable people’s lives for the better, but she is also using her talent for painting to raise thousands of pounds to help dogs in desperate need.

A “fantastic” community scheme  - which ensures a clean and safe private water supply to residents and facilities on Papa Westray – will receive grant funding of just under £10,000 from the Council’s Community Development Fund (CDF) to enable enhancements to be carried out.

Tomorrow, Friday 18 June, will see crews finishing off surface dressing on the B9069 in Sanday, between West Langamay and Russness Cottage if required - which will complete their surface dressing work in Sanday.

I, John Weir Mundell OBE, Constituency Returning Officer for the above Election, in accordance with the Scottish Parliamentary Elections Order 2015 Articles 50 and 55, do hereby give notice, that the election expenses returns, declarations and all accompanying documents of candidates at the above election may be inspected between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays, at Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney (Tel: 01856 873535) for a period of one year after receipt by me. 

Stromness Primary’s Karen Bevan has cooked her way through to the national final of the School Chef of the Year competition.

Karen, the chosen North East and Scotland contestant, joined the morning regional heat in a virtual cook-along on 10 June winning her way to the final, which will be held over 12-13 October in Birmingham.

One of the Council’s Building Inspectors - Leslie Miller - has played a significant role in ensuring Orkney retains its rightful place as one of the premier destinations in the UK for fly fishers.

The Council's selfless staff - who do a power of good work within their communities in addition to their day jobs - are being recognised nationally.

Help for parents to increase their confidence and earning power is now available through Orkney Island Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team.

Following completion of Ortie Road in Sanday yesterday, surface dressing road works will take place today, Thursday, on a section of North Loch Road, Sanday, between the junction with the main B9069 through to Sandquoy.

The Council is aware of a public petition on social media in reference to the withdrawal of funding from Advocacy Orkney and allegations of a shortfall of care provision in the county in relation to an individual.

We acknowledge the level of well-intentioned public interest, however, as it is not possible for a local authority to divulge details in relation to a vulnerable person – it is a version which is lacking in key information that is being circulated. This is causing great distress to the individual concerned and family members.

Organisations in Orkney who assist unemployed young people and adults are being encouraged to apply for digital devices for those they represent through the Scottish Government’s phase three Connecting Scotland programme.

Families in Orkney are being encouraged to apply for free school meals and clothing allowances before the end of term – which may open up other pandemic support grants available to them.

Orkney Islands Council's Roads team will be continuing surface dressing road work on Ortie Road in Sanday tomorrow, Wednesday 16 June.

Stromness Primary school cook Karen Bevan is already a winner in the eyes and bellies of some the bairns she feeds on a daily basis – and they are backing her to win a national competition!

Families with young children in Orkney are being invited to register for places at the Willow Tree Nursery in Kirkwall – signalling a major step forward in addressing some of the county’s childcare needs.

Orkney Islands Council is advising surface dressing road works will continue in Sanday tomorrow, Tuesday 15 June, on Airon, Rue and Ortie Roads.

Members of the travelling public in Orkney are being reminded to make sure they are taking advantage of travel concessions available to them.

Public bus timetables are being made available this summer individually rather than as part of a combined ‘transport guide’.

In her day job, Pat Robinson can be found number crunching as Chief Finance Officer with Orkney Health and Care – a formal partnership arrangement between OIC and NHS Orkney.

Orkney Islands Council’s roads team will be carrying out surface dressing work in Sanday on Monday 14 June.

Milestone memories of a bygone era

Four generations of one family were able to reunite to celebrate St Rognvald House resident Barbara Jolly’s 100^th birthday today, Wednesday 9 June.

Orkney Islands Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing committee has recommended Flotta Primary School be partially reopened to school pupils on the island.

Tomorrow, 10 June, crews will be completing surface dressing road works on Stratheast Road in Holm before moving to Ferryhouse Road, Holm later in the day.

Orkney Islands Council has welcomed the news that a contract has been awarded for the concept design of a hydrogen fuelled ferry, which could eventually operate on the Kirkwall to Shapinsay ferry route.

Kirkwall Police are using CCTV installed at the Kirkwall Travel Centre to assist in catching the culprits responsible for damaging seating within the centre recently.

Tribute has been paid to OIC’s Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Gavin Barr, who will be leaving the Council during the summer to take on a new roll.

Following completion of surface dressing today at Heath House Road in Stenness, crews will be moving to Graemeshall and Stratheast Roads in Holm tomorrow, 9 June.

A new exhibition at The Orkney Museum marks 100 years since the birth of one of Orkney's most prominent writers, George Mackay Brown.

Orkney Islands Council is proud of its workforce – many of whom will be your friends, neighbours or relatives - with over a quarter of Orkney’s working population employed with the local authority.

Exhibition boards detailing the preferred concept for a new community park at Papdale in Kirkwall are now in place close to the path at Kirkwall Grammar School.

Surface dressing road works are continuing with work at Heath House Road in Stenness today, 8 June.

This Carers Week we're asking could you - or someone you know - be an unpaid carer?

We have completed surface dressing works on Upper Twatt Road now and crews will be moving to Heath House Road, Stenness, on Monday 7 June.

Boundaries Scotland, present our proposals for Orkney Islands Council area resulting from our Review of Electoral Arrangements under, and in accordance with, section 20 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

Tribute has been paid to the crew of the Orkney Ferries’ vessel, Hoy Head, after their quick-thinking led to the rescue of two people in distress from the sea.

Residents of Orkney can now place online orders for free period products funded by the Scottish Government and have them delivered direct to their door, through the Orkney Islands Council MyOrkney website.

Public Bus routes 4 (the Kirkwall Airport bus) and 9 (Kirkwall Town Service) are affected by road closures in central Kirkwall between 7 and 13 June - passengers should catch these services from Kirkwall Travel Centre rather than from Broad Street.

Following completion of surface dressing road work on Ness Battery Road, Stromness, today, crews will be moving to Upper Twatt Road, Stenness tomorrow, Friday 4 June.

Devoted husband cares for wife at home thanks to family and community support

From this day forward, for better for worse…. in sickness and in health….Colin and Liz Kennedy made this pledge to each other when they married in 1964 – nearly 57 years ago.

The devastating impact of Covid-19 on the dementia community in Orkney has been deeply felt these past 15 months – exacerbating what can be a challenging condition for families.

A multi-agency approach is being taken locally in a bid to ensure the dementia community are “never forgotten” while raising awareness of a number of initiatives kickstarted during Dementia Awareness Week, which runs until 6 June.

Orkney Islands Council is proud of its workforce – many of whom will be your friends, neighbours or relatives - with over a quarter of Orkney’s working population employed with the local authority.

A closer look at some of our 2,700 staff has revealed a treasure trove of community-spirited and selfless individuals.

Orkney is renowned for its world-class fresh produce, some of which ends up on the school menu for bairns and staff to enjoy.

Following completion of road work on The Waterworks Rd in Stromness today, crews will be moving to Ness Battery Road, Stromness, tomorrow, Thursday 3 June.

The Orkney public are being urged to continue to focus on the FACTS as the county moves into Level 0 Covid-19 restrictions from 5 June.

The Glaitness Nursery children, who were lucky enough to meet the Royal visitors recently, have been reflecting on the special occasion – although not all of them were entirely star struck!

With the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions Orkney’s 2021 football season has been able to kick off, however, there is still specific guidance relating to sport, sporting events and physical activity that must be adhered to.

As the nation looks recover from the worldwide pandemic, never has it been more important for our young people to take a stand and ensure their voices are heard on the political stage.

The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has welcomed news of a move to Level 0 of Scottish Government Coronavirus restrictions from 5 June - but reminds people a range of restrictions remains in place.

Following completion of surface dressing road works on Nistaben Road in Harray today, crews will be moving to The Waterworks Rd, Stromness tomorrow (2 June). This is a minor, dead end road and crews will be dressing the entire length of the road.

A number of Orkney Sea Cadets were able to get a taste of life on board a tall ship when the sail training brig, Royalist, called into Scapa on Thursday (May 27).

Orkney Islands Council is inviting suitably qualified contractors to register an expression of interest in the contract to build a new 40-bed care facility in Kirkwall to replace St Rognvald House.

Passengers on Orkney Ferries will see standard fares reduced by 38% from 14 June and the 50% discount on pre-paid books of 50 tickets retained, following debate and agreement of a new fares structure at a Special Full Council meeting of Orkney Islands Council on Monday (31 May).

Orkney’s Road Safety Forum is urging anyone who drives with children to take advantage of free online car seat checks with a ‘Good Egg’ expert this Child Safety Week (7-13 June).