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Guide To Courses

Autumn 2026

IMAGE: The cover displays the Orkney Islands Council crest and the title “Guide To Courses Autumn 2026”. Logos for ActiveLife, Community Learning Development and Employability (CLDE Orkney), and The Learning Link appear at the bottom.

Contents

  • Enrolment — 3
  • How to Enrol — 3
  • Course Fees / Payment / Instalments — 3
  • Concessions — 4
  • ActiveLife — 4
  • Refunds — 4
  • Who can apply — 4
  • Closing date for enrolments — 4
  • Indoor Courses — 5
  • DOUNBY — 5
  • DB001 - Yoga & Relaxation – Milestone Kirk, Dounby — 5
  • KIRKWALL — 6
  • KW001 - Yoga – Kirkwall Community Centre (Supper Room) — 6
  • KW002 - Meditation - Kirkwall Community Centre (Supper Room) — 6
  • STROMNESS — 7
  • ST001 - Yoga - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room) — 7
  • ST002 - Yoga with a Chair - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room) — 7
  • ST003 – Gentle floor based yoga - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room) — 8
  • ST004 - Yoga & Relaxation – Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room) — 8
  • Outdoor Courses — 9
  • OD001 – Birdwatching – Various Locations — 10
  • OD002 – Birdwatching – Various Locations — 10
  • Postal Application Form — 11
  • Privacy Statement — 12

Enrolment

Sign Up Now!

Enrolment opens Thursday 20th August 2026

Welcome to the Community Learning Guide for Autumn 2026.

This guide contains our programme of courses, drawn together by the Community Learning Development and Employability Service. Further copies of the Guide to Courses may be obtained from Orkney Islands Council Customer Services in Kirkwall and Stromness, as well as in local libraries and leisure facilities. A large print version is also available on request.

There are significant positive benefits associated with community learning including:

  • It brings people together.
  • It builds cohesive and supportive communities.
  • It increases confidence and can lead to improvements in physical and mental health.

How to Enrol

If you have any health issues, please consult your doctor or health professional prior to enrolling on any of the courses. Please complete/update the Medical Questions section when signing up online.

Classes are filled on a first come first served basis and will only run if we have sufficient numbers.

To enrol on a course online you will need to login or register at https://www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/community-learning-and-development/adult-learning/community-learning-courses/

To enrol by phone contact Customer Services at Orkney Islands Council, on 01856 873535.

To enrol by post please complete our postal application form.

Our aim is to make learning accessible to all. Please advise Customer Services if you have any specific requirements to enable you to attend your chosen course.

Course Fees / Payment / Instalments

Course fees can be paid in full at the time of enrolment, through the online booking system or over the phone. You will be required to give details of your debit or credit card to enrol by phone. If booking by post, cheques should be made payable to Orkney Islands Council.

Fees can be paid in full or by instalments (50% initially and two further 25% payments). If you wish to pay in instalments, please request this option at the time of enrolment. This option also applies to concessionary students.

Concessions

Concessions are available on all non ActiveLife courses for participants who are eligible. You are entitled to apply for a 50% concessionary rate if you are an Orkney resident and are receiving any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance (contributions-based is not accepted)
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Universal Credit and your monthly earned income is under £995
  • Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment
  • Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment
  • Aged over 60 and receiving Pension Credit

ActiveLife

We are working in partnership with ActiveLife which allows anyone with individual or family membership to enrol for our health and wellbeing classes as part of their membership at no extra cost. We operate a 6-hour cancellation policy in line with membership terms.

If you are a current ActiveLife budget holder you are eligible for a concessionary rate of £1.00 per session. All ActiveLife courses are clearly marked.

Refunds

All course fees are NON-REFUNDABLE except in the event of a course having to be cancelled due to not reaching the minimum number of students or if cancelled by the tutor. However, if you feel you are on the wrong course, please let us know as soon as possible and we shall try and arrange a transfer to another course.

Who can apply

The minimum age for enrolment on non-certified courses is 14, unless specified.

Closing date for enrolments

A closing date of one week before the start date of the course is applied to all courses. If your chosen course has been cancelled, we will let you know. Please contact us directly to see what other courses may be available.

Indoor Courses

DOUNBY

DB001 - Yoga & Relaxation – Milestone Kirk, Dounby

Classes include movement, breathing and relaxation with the emphasis on awareness and moving according to your own limits. Yoga has the benefit of safely stretching and strengthening the body and improving joint mobility, in addition we develop our awareness of moving in a way that releases excess tension so there is an overall experience of softness and relaxation. As this becomes more familiar to us, we can then bring this relaxed way of being into our daily lives thus improving our overall feeling of wellbeing

Students must provide their own mats

Optional items you can bring are blocks, blanket, small cushion.

  • Tutor: Carolyn Stewart (8 sessions in total)
  • Mondays
  • 5th, 12th, 19th October 2026
  • 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th November 2026
  • 7th December 2026
  • 10:00 - 11:30
  • £91

KIRKWALL

KW001 - Yoga – Kirkwall Community Centre (Supper Room)

In this class you will be working mainly down on the floor, lying, sitting, kneeling and sometimes standing. You will be exploring ways of arriving at yoga postures more by chance rather than having a fixed goal in mind. Repeating sometimes unusual patterns of movement helps to keep bodies and minds adaptable and open to change.

Students are advised to bring the following: yoga mat, long strap, belt or tie (not stretchy)

Optional items you can bring are blocks, blanket, small cushion.

We would suggest you wear comfortable layers of clothing. Students must be happy to work on the floor lying, sitting and kneeling and be able to get back up again.

  • Tutor: Mary Scott (10 sessions in total)
  • Wednesdays
  • 9th, 16th, 23rd September 2026 (23rd September – session will be in Room 3)
  • 21st, 28th October 2026
  • 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November 2026
  • 2nd December 2026
  • 10:30-12:00
  • £113

IMAGE: The course page for Kirkwall displays the KW001 Yoga and KW002 Meditation listings, including their descriptions, tutors, session dates, times and fees. ActiveLife logos mark both courses. The visible course text is transcribed in the surrounding sections.

KW002 - Meditation - Kirkwall Community Centre (Supper Room)

An opportunity for students to revisit their meditation practice with Beginners Mind. Looking with fresh eyes at what we have learnt. There will be bodywork, moving and seated meditations. A zen practice.

To attend this class previous experience of attending meditation classes/courses is required.

  • Tutor: Meg Webster-Gaertner (6 sessions in total)
  • Thursdays
  • 15th, 22nd, 29th October 2026
  • 5th, 12th, 19th November 2026
  • 11:00 - 13:00
  • £91

STROMNESS

ST001 - Yoga - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room)

In this class you will be working mainly down on the floor, lying, sitting, kneeling and sometimes standing. You will be exploring ways of arriving at yoga postures more by chance rather than having a fixed goal in mind. Repeating sometimes unusual patterns of movement helps to keep bodies and minds adaptable and open to change.

Students are advised to bring the following: yoga mat, long strap, belt or tie (not stretchy)

Optional items you can bring are blocks, blanket, small cushion.

Students should wear comfortable layers of clothing. Students must be happy to work on the floor lying, sitting and kneeling and be able to get back up again.

  • Tutor: Mary Scott (10 sessions in total)
  • Wednesdays
  • 9th, 16th, 23rd September 2026
  • 21st. 28th October 2026
  • 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November 2026
  • 2nd December 2026
  • 18:30-20:00
  • £113

IMAGE: The course page for Stromness displays the ST001 Yoga and ST002 Yoga with a Chair listings, including their descriptions, tutors, session dates, times and fees. ActiveLife logos mark both courses. The visible course text is transcribed in the surrounding sections.

ST002 - Yoga with a Chair - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room)

This class will suit people who would like to use a chair as their starting point for a yoga practice rather than lying or sitting on the floor.

Through repetitive and perhaps unusual patterns of movement your body can learn to adapt, which can help you to move around and through the various physical and mental restrictions that we all have.

You should be able to walk, stand, sit in a chair and be able to get out of it.

Students might want to bring along a blanket and small cushion for comfort.

  • Tutor: Mary Scott (9 sessions in total)
  • Tuesdays
  • 15th, 22nd September 2026
  • 20th, 27th October 2026
  • 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November 2026
  • 1st December 2026
  • 15:00-16:15
  • £85

ST003 – Gentle floor based yoga - Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room)

In this class students will be encouraged to get down onto the yoga mat to explore movement and asana’s (posture), adapting things as required. The option of a chair will always be there but participants should be willing to try work on the floor. This class will suit beginners as well as those who have done some yoga before with or without a chair.

Students are advised to bring the following: yoga mat, long strap, belt or tie (not stretchy)

Optional items you can bring are blocks, blanket, small cushion.

Students should wear comfortable layers of clothing.

Students must be happy to work on the floor lying, sitting and kneeling and be able to get back up again.

  • Tutor: Mary Scott (10 sessions in total)
  • Wednesdays
  • 9th, 16th, 23rd September 2026
  • 21st. 28th October 2026
  • 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November 2026
  • 2nd December 2026
  • 16:30-17:45
  • £95

IMAGE: The course page for Stromness displays the ST003 Gentle floor based yoga and ST004 Yoga & Relaxation listings, including their descriptions, tutors, session dates, times and fees. ActiveLife logos mark both courses. The visible course text is transcribed in the surrounding sections.

ST004 - Yoga & Relaxation – Warehouse Buildings, Stromness (John Rae Room)

Classes include movement, breathing and relaxation with the emphasis on awareness and moving according to your own limits. Yoga has the benefit of safely stretching and strengthening the body and improving joint mobility, in addition we develop our awareness of moving in a way that releases excess tension so there is an overall experience of softness and relaxation. As this becomes more familiar to us, we can then bring this relaxed way of being into our daily lives thus improving our overall feeling of wellbeing

Students must provide their own mats

Optional items you can bring are blocks, blanket, small cushion.

  • Tutor: Carolyn Stewart (8 sessions in total)
  • Thursdays
  • 1st, 8th, 15th October 2026
  • 12th, 19th, 26th November
  • 3rd, 10th December 2026
  • 10:00 - 11:30
  • £91

Outdoor Courses

The following information applies to all our Bird Watching & Wildflower classes.

All walks will be undertaken on the Mainland of Orkney, Burray and South Ronaldsay.

Venues: Venues will be decided closer to the scheduled dates and will take into account weather, tides and whether certain plants are flowering or birds have arrived. The tutor will contact you either by phone, email or text the evening before the scheduled meeting. Venues may be changed at short notice due to very inclement weather or the appearance of strange and interesting plants/birds. Your tutor will inform you promptly.

Postponements: Should any class be postponed (usually weather related), we shall endeavour to meet on the same day either the following week or the next. Postponements are quite rare.

Walks: This course includes walks of up to four miles, often over uneven, rough or challenging terrain. There will usually be a picnic stop of approximately 20 minutes during the walk. Participants should have sufficient fitness, stamina and mobility to complete the walk safely. If you have any concerns about your ability to participate, please discuss these with the tutor before enrolling. We will consider any reasonable adjustments that may enable participation; however, participation may not be possible where the physical requirements of the course cannot be met safely. Orkney's weather forms part of the experience but can occasionally be challenging..

Equipment: Binoculars are essential for birdwatching; and very useful for plants. Appropriate optical equipment can be supplied.

Footwear: Strong footwear (walking boots or wellingtons) is essential.

Clothing: Waterproofs and clothing that can withstand Orkney weather is essential. Please wear subdued colours.

Refreshments: A picnic break will be included – please bring a packed lunch & flask.

Safety: First aider, first aid kit and mobile phone will be carried by the tutor.

Please leave dogs at home in front of the fire.

OD001 – Birdwatching – Various Locations

A course of monthly birdwatching walks around Orkney Mainland and the connected South Isles between 6th October 2026 and 6th April 2027. We hope to see over 100 bird species, visit different habitats and walk in most parishes. Venues will be decided closer to the date and are dependent upon presence and abundance of birds, weather conditions (particularly wind) and tidal conditions.

  • Tutor: Tim Dean (7 sessions in total)
  • Tuesdays
  • 06 October
  • 03 November
  • 01 December
  • 05 January
  • 02 February
  • 02 March
  • 06 April
  • 10:00 - 14:00
  • £212

OD002 – Birdwatching – Various Locations

A course of monthly birdwatching walks around Orkney Mainland and the connected South Isles between 3rd October 2026 and 3rd April 2027. We hope to see over 100 bird species, visit different habitats and walk in most parishes. Venues will be decided closer to the date and are dependent upon presence and abundance of birds, weather conditions (particularly wind) and tidal conditions.

  • Tutor: Tim Dean (7 sessions in total)
  • Saturdays
  • 03 October
  • 07 November
  • 05 December
  • 09 January
  • 06 February
  • 06 March
  • 03 April
  • 10:00 - 14:00
  • £212

IMAGE: The outdoor courses page displays the OD001 and OD002 Birdwatching listings, with descriptions of the monthly walks, tutors, dates, times and fees. ActiveLife logos mark both courses. The visible course text is transcribed in the surrounding sections.

ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL

Postal Application Form
Name:
Address and Postcode:
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email Address:

Do you have any special needs related to your chosen course(s)?

Course Details

Ref. No:Course Details:Course Fee:Amount Due:
Total Due:£

Charges

Tick the box(es) that apply and give details below:

  • Full fee.
  • Activelife/Budget Holder.
  • Instalments.
  • 50% Concession

If you have ActiveLife membership, please provide your card number (this can be found on the back of your card) ………………….....................…….

If paying by cheque, please make it payable to Orkney Islands Council.

You may be asked to provide proof of being eligible to claim concessions.

Additional costs: Participants may be required to pay for additional materials at the start of the course as detailed in the programme. Concessions do not apply to additional costs.

Office Use Only
Reason for concession claim:
Signature:
Date:

Privacy Statement

We need the information on this form to process your enrolment. Providing this public service is the legal basis for the Council’s lawful processing of this form. Only members of staff with a need to know will access this information. More information about how the council will process your personal data and about your rights is available here: www.orkney.gov.uk/privacy.

IMAGE: The postal application form contains fields for name, address and postcode, telephone, mobile, email address, special needs, course details, charges, ActiveLife card number, concession information, office use, signature and date. The form text is transcribed in the surrounding sections.

Community Learning, Development & Employability Service

This programme of courses was drawn together by the Council’s Community Learning, Development and Employability Service.

If you have ideas for courses you would like to see available or if you have a skill or interest, you would be willing to share, please get in touch with the Community Learning, Development & Employability Team (CLDE) on 01856 873535 ext. 2408 or email: cld@orkney.gov.uk

Privacy Statement

We require the information obtained at the time of booking to process your booking request. Providing this public service is the legal basis for the Council’s lawful processing of these details. Only members of staff with a need to know will access this information. More information about how the Council will process personal data and about your rights is available online www.orkney.gov.uk/privacy.

Community Learning, Development & Employment Service

Education, Communities and Housing

Council Offices

Kirkwall, KW15 1NY

Telephone 01856 873535

or email cld@orkney.gov.uk