HARRAY & SANDWICK LOCAL PLACE PLAN

Supporting Document

HARRAY AND SANDWICK LOCAL PLACE PLAN

Two Rural Parishes. One Shared Future.

A community-led plan for the future of two rural parishes and their shared hub

Contents

• Executive Summary
• About Harray and Sandwick
• Introduction
• How the Community Shaped This Plan
• What the Community Values
• Our Vision
• Movement and Everyday Safety
• Housing and Keeping Families Here
• Community Infrastructure
• Public Transport and Connectivity
• A Spatial Framework
• Delivering the Plan, Partnership and Review
• Action Plan
• Conclusion

Executive Summary

Harray and Sandwick are two distinct rural parishes in the West Mainland of Orkney, each with its own landscape, history and community networks. They are connected through Dounby, which functions as a shared hub at the centre of a tri-parish area, linking Harray, Sandwick and Birsay, and serving a wider West Mainland catchment.

This Local Place Plan sets out how the community would like to see the area evolve over the next 10–15 years. It reflects what residents value, where pressures are emerging, and how change can be managed positively.

Dounby plays a critical role in supporting daily life across the West Mainland, providing access to shops, services, healthcare, education and community facilities. Maintaining and strengthening this role is central to the long-term sustainability of the area.

The Plan identifies a number of key challenges, including road safety and movement, housing availability, loss of local services, and constraints relating to transport and digital connectivity. These challenges are particularly visible in Dounby, where infrastructure does not always match the level of activity and demand placed upon it.

Across all engagement, residents emphasised the importance of balance — supporting growth while protecting agricultural land, open views, heritage settings and rural character.

Community Priorities

Engagement — including a detailed survey, Steering Group meetings, community and business discussions and youth input — identified five consistent priorities:

• Movement and everyday safety.
• Housing supply and community retention.
• Village vitality and community infrastructure.
• Public transport provision.
• Digital connectivity and economic resilience.

Movement and Safety

Traffic through Dounby, particularly around the school and centre, emerged as a key concern. Residents support 20mph enforcement, ongoing monitoring and evidence-led interventions to ensure safer crossings and pedestrian routes. On rural roads, damaged verges and vehicle speeds affect walking safety and comfort.

The ongoing Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust “Getting Around Dounby” project provides a strong foundation for embedding active travel, improved crossings and clearer walking routes within the village centre.

Safe movement is closely linked to independence. Calmer roads and reliable transport enable children to travel confidently, support older residents to remain active locally, and reduce daily stress for families.

Housing and Retention

Housing is central to sustaining the parishes. Residents expressed concern about limited access to social housing beyond Dounby and Quoyloo and challenges faced by young people seeking house building plots. The community supports modest, locally-needed housing growth that strengthens the school roll and reinforces existing centres of activity.

Expansion near the school and community facilities is viewed as practical and sustainable. Smaller clusters, including the concept of a “Hall hamlet,” reflect an ambition to reinforce community anchors. There is interest in exploring community-led serviced plots to support long-term affordability.

Growth should remain proportionate, well-designed and respectful of agricultural land, landscape setting and rural identity.

Public Transport and Digital Connectivity

Current bus provision does not fully reflect dispersed rural travel patterns. Residents support exploration of more flexible, demand-responsive models capable of linking effectively with established corridors such as the X1. Improved connectivity is essential to employment access, social participation and independence.

Digital connectivity emerged as essential enabling infrastructure. Patchy mobile signal and inconsistent broadband reliability affect businesses, home working and access to services. As communication systems become increasingly digital, resilient connectivity and power supply are critical to long-term sustainability.

Vitality and Community Infrastructure

Dounby plays a critical role as a shared hub. Residents want it to function as a welcoming, safe and connected centre. There is particular opportunity around the Smithfield Hotel, which is currently on the market. Community discussions identified this as a pivotal site within a wider cluster including the school, shops, bus stop, green space and walking routes.

There is a clear desire to examine whether community acquisition of Smithfield could secure long-term influence over its future role. Any progression would require detailed feasibility work, appropriate governance and sustainable financial planning. The experience of community ownership elsewhere in Orkney demonstrates that such ambitions can be realised where robust preparation and capacity underpins delivery.

The surrounding area offers scope to integrate movement improvements, green space enhancement, multi-generational outdoor areas and well-designed recycling provision into a strengthened village heart.

The halls in the parishes, at Harray, Sandwick, and the Old School at Quoyloo remain vital anchors.

The site of the former Corrigall Museum was identified as a heritage opportunity. Residents support exploring how parish heritage, farming traditions and local stories could be made more visible and accessible, strengthening identity and intergenerational connection.

A Spatial Framework for the Future

The Plan identifies a coherent spatial framework:

• Dounby as a strengthened shared hub.
• Smithfield Hotel as a strategic village site.
• The Community Halls as local anchors.
• Corrigall Museum site and coastal heritage assets as heritage and community nodes.
• Housing clusters supporting infrastructure.
• Safe routes linking homes, services and facilities.

By thinking spatially and planning proactively, Harray and Sandwick can support housing growth, strengthen independence and sustain the rural character that defines both parishes.

Delivery and Review

Delivery will require partnership between the Community Council, local groups, Orkney Islands Council and external agencies. Some elements can be progressed locally; others will depend on planning decisions and infrastructure investment programmes.

Annual review by the Community Council will ensure it remains responsive and up to date.

This Local Place Plan reflects the commitment and practical insight of the community. It provides a clear, community-led direction for managing change with purpose.

Introduction

Harray and Sandwick are two distinct rural parishes in West Mainland Orkney. Each has its own character, history and geography. Each has its own networks and community groups. Dounby sits within a tri-parish setting, connecting Harray, Sandwick and Birsay, and functions as a key service centre for the wider West Mainland.

This Local Place Plan sets out how the community would like to see the area evolve over the next 10–15 years. It reflects what people value, where pressures are emerging, and how change can be shaped positively. It provides clear direction so that future decisions about land use, infrastructure and investment are informed by the people who live here.

This Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Place Plans) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 and has regard to the Orkney Local Development Plan, National Planning Framework 4 and the Orkney Community Plan 2025–2030. It is intended to form part of the evidence base for future planning, land-use and infrastructure investment decisions.

IMAGE: Map of Harray and Sandwick showing parish boundaries, settlement boundaries, conservation areas, Sites of Specific Scientific Interest, Local Nature Conservation Sites, the St Magnus Way, core paths, scheduled ancient monuments, key locations and proposed information points, viewpoints and benches. Inset maps show Dounby, Harray Hall and Skaill Beach.

Map Legend

• Parish Boundary
• Conservation Area
• Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI)
• Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS)
• St Magnus Way
• Settlement boundary
• Key Location
• Proposed information point, viewpoint or bench
• Core Path
• Scheduled Ancient Monument
• Planting, scrub or natural landscape

About Harray and Sandwick

Harray and Sandwick are rural parishes defined by working land, freshwater lochs, long views and dispersed homes. Farming remains central to daily life and to the stewardship of the landscape. The fields, loch shores and open skylines are both productive and deeply valued. Informal walking routes, historic paths, heritage sites and strong social traditions contribute to a sense of belonging that was repeatedly expressed during engagement. Community life centres on parish halls, churches, sporting activity and seasonal gatherings, reinforcing connection across generations.

Quoyloo forms an important part of this wider geography. While smaller in scale, it has a distinct identity and its own patterns of movement and daily life. Residents there spoke about road safety, connectivity and the relationship between local roads and visitor traffic. Quoyloo illustrates the dispersed nature of settlement across the parishes and the importance of ensuring that planning decisions reflect the needs of smaller clusters as well as shared hubs.

Dounby sits at the heart of this geography. It is where children attend school, where people shop, where buses pass through, where sport and activities take place, and where churches meet. It is also where movement, housing and service pressures are most visible. As the functional centre for both parishes, its vitality and safety are central to the sustainability of the wider area.

The wider Orkney context is equally important. The Orkney Community Plan highlights slowing population growth, an ageing demographic profile, workforce pressures, housing challenges and transport constraints. These island-wide trends are evident locally. Residents spoke about retaining young people, recruiting staff, sustaining volunteers and enabling practical housing growth that supports the school roll and local businesses.

This Local Place Plan translates those wider demographic and economic pressures into locally grounded priorities for Harray and Sandwick. Dounby functions as more than a shared centre. It operates as an interconnected local ecosystem, where the surgery, care home, pharmacy, shops and community facilities collectively support daily life across a wide rural area. Its vitality is therefore critical not only to Harray and Sandwick, but to the wider West Mainland.

IMAGE: A collage of five local places: Skaill Beach, a view over Harray Loch, Corrigall Farm Museum, Yesnaby and Skaill House.

How the Community Shaped This Plan

This Plan has been shaped through a detailed community survey, Community Steering Group meetings, open discussions, stakeholder engagement, activities with young folk and business conversations. The survey provided the quantitative foundation. Meetings and workshops with the Steering Group and others added depth, lived experience and practical insight.

Survey analysis showed variation in emphasis across age groups. Younger respondents placed greater priority on housing availability, digital connectivity and transport flexibility, reflecting the importance of work to support retaining young families and supporting employment. Older respondents emphasised road safety, accessible local services and the importance of maintaining independence within the parishes. Across all age categories, however, there was consistent support for strengthening Dounby as a shared hub and protecting the rural landscape that defines Harray and Sandwick. This intergenerational perspective has informed the balance of priorities within this Plan.

There was agreement that the existing Dounby Place Plan should be brought into this wider parish-level framework so that there is one coherent direction for the area. At steering group meetings, residents explored key local priorities including village vitality, traffic and safety concerns, housing opportunities and the future of transport provision. These discussions were constructive and detailed. Questions were asked about liability, staffing, licensing, governance structures and long-term sustainability. The approach was practical and measured.

Across all engagement activity, five consistent and evidence-based themes emerged: movement and safety, housing supply, village vitality, public transport and economic resilience.

IMAGE: Spider diagram from engagement analysis showing average scores for Moving Around, Public Transport, Traffic and Parking, Built Environment, Natural Space, Play and Recreation, Facilities and Services, Local Economy, Housing and Community, Social Interaction, Identity and Belonging, Feeling Safe, Care and Maintenance, and Influence and Sense of Control.

What the Community Values

Residents spoke with pride about the strength of community life across both parishes. Active halls and community centres, well-attended events and long-standing traditions create a strong sense of belonging. From seasonal gatherings and sporting activities to informal social events, there is a clear commitment to coming together. People value knowing their neighbours, supporting one another and feeling part of something rooted and enduring.

Farming remains central, as an economic activity, and as part of identity and stewardship of the land. The fields, lochs and open views are working landscapes as well as places of beauty. There is a shared understanding that agriculture shapes both the economy and the character of Harray and Sandwick.

Residents also value the feeling of safety that comes from living in smaller rural communities. Children playing outside, familiar faces in local shops and informal conversations at the hall all contribute to wellbeing. Informal walking routes, historic paths and heritage sites form part of daily life and connect people to the landscape and to the past.

What emerged strongly from engagement is that Harray and Sandwick are not communities seeking reinvention. They are communities seeking to protect what works well and strengthen it for the future. The focus of this Plan is to build on that foundation and address the practical pressures that risk weakening it over time.

IMAGE: Diagram of community values following engagement meetings and the survey. It includes drawings and labels referring to community halls, supportive people, innovation, strength, small-community feeling and safety, and working, livable and heritage landscapes.

Our Vision

We want Harray and Sandwick to be places where families can stay, children can walk safely to school, businesses can thrive, and the landscape that defines us is protected for generations to come.

This Vision reflects the balance the community is seeking. It recognises that change is part of rural life and that growth is needed to sustain schools, services and businesses. It also recognises that change must feel proportionate, carefully located and rooted in local identity.

For families, this means housing that is accessible and achievable. For young people, it means opportunities to build or remain locally. For older residents, it means safe streets and services that are within reach. For businesses and farms, it means infrastructure and policy that support viability. For everyone, it means a village centre that feels welcoming and a rural environment that continues to feel open and cared for.

This Vision is grounded in daily experience — school runs, shop visits, community events, farm work, walks along familiar routes. It reflects a shared desire to strengthen Dounby as a vibrant hub while safeguarding the wider parish landscape that gives Harray and Sandwick their identity and economic basis.

The sections that follow translate this Vision into practical direction. They set out how movement can be made safer, how housing can support retention, how amenities can be strengthened, and how growth can be managed in a way that protects what people value most.

IMAGE: “OUR VISION” diagram surrounded by symbols representing growth, protection of the landscape, community, welcome, location, movement and support.

Movement and Everyday Safety

Movement through and across the parishes shapes daily life. Whether walking to school, driving to work, cycling between halls, or travelling to Kirkwall, how people move affects how safe and connected they feel.

The strongest and most consistent message from engagement was concern about traffic speeds through Dounby. Residents described vehicles travelling quickly past the school, the shop and along routes that children use daily. Parents spoke about feeling anxious during busy periods. The introduction of 20mph areas is welcomed, and there is support for continued monitoring to ensure they are effective. There was interest in gathering clearer before-and-after data where speed indication devices are installed so that decisions are informed by evidence and shared transparently with the community.

Outside the village centre, the issue is different but related. Rural roads are narrow and exposed. Verges are often damaged where larger vehicles pass, reducing safe walking space. While improvement plans linked to coach routes and passing places are underway in some areas, residents experience the everyday impact of traffic along local corridors. Walking between houses, to bus stops or along informal routes can feel uncomfortable when vehicles pass at speed. During the summer months, coach tours add additional pressure to the road network. There is a strong community view that these vehicles are not well suited to the narrow rural roads, increasing safety concerns and reducing comfort for everyday users.

The priority is balance, that is roads that work for local people as well as through traffic and visitors. Safer crossings, clearer pedestrian routes, maintained verges and visible speed management all contribute to that sense of balance. There is also strong support for extending footpaths radiating out from Dounby, aligned with 30mph limits, to improve safety and encourage walking between homes, facilities and the village centre.

Current Project: Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust – Getting Around Dounby

The Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust, working in partnership with Orkney Islands Council and the local community, is progressing the “Getting Around Dounby” project to improve everyday movement within the village. Building on earlier Market Green work and informed by a recent Mobility Audit, the project focuses on safer pedestrian crossings, improved bus stop access, clearer and more continuous walking routes, and measures to support appropriate vehicle speeds through the centre.

The aim is to create a village environment that feels safer and more accessible for people of all ages, strengthening connections between the school, shop, green space and surrounding residential areas. This project provides a strong foundation for embedding active travel and safer movement within the wider spatial framework set out in this Plan.

IMAGE: Concept plan for “Getting Around Dounby” showing the bus stop area, Asda, Dounby Pharmacy, Smithfield Hotel, Smiddybrae House, the village centre area, speed management area and proposed pedestrian connections. Example images show pocket-place and rest-area treatments.

There is also a strong link between movement and independence. For older residents, safe walking environments support wellbeing, and quieter roads make it easier to continue accessing local services and facilities as mobility changes over time. For young people, calmer roads support confidence and active travel. For families, reliable and safe routes reduce daily stress.

Public transport is widely described as insufficient for a dispersed rural area. Many residents live too far from existing bus routes to use them easily, and services do not always align with working hours, school activities or everyday errands. For those without access to a car, this can limit employment opportunities, social participation and access to essential services. The issue is not simply frequency, but coverage and flexibility. The community supports exploring more responsive models of provision that reflect rural travel patterns and link effectively with established routes such as the X1 corridor. Improving connectivity is central to retaining residents and strengthening independence across all age groups.

This Plan supports a continued, data-led approach to traffic management within Dounby and along key rural corridors. It supports collaboration with Orkney Islands Council and Police Scotland to reinforce safe speeds around the school and village centre. It also supports the development of safer pedestrian infrastructure where practical and the integration of movement considerations into all future housing and land-use decisions.

Movement is not simply about transport. It is about everyday safety, confidence and quality of life.

Concerns were also raised about road surface quality, particularly along the route between Dounby and Sandwick Hall, where deterioration is reported to affect safety and comfort for everyday users.

IMAGE: Map of key bus routes serving Harray and Sandwick. The map shows routes 6, 7, 8S and X1 linking Birsay, Evie, Dounby, Quoyloo, Sandwick, Harray, Finstown, Stromness, Skara Brae, Skaill House and other locations.

Housing and Keeping Families Here

Housing is central to the long-term sustainability of both parishes. Without homes that local people can access, schools become vulnerable, businesses struggle to recruit and community life thins out over time. Residents were clear that housing is not simply about buildings. It is about whether families can stay, whether young people can return after study or training, and whether older residents can remain in the place they know.

There is currently no social housing beyond Dounby and Quoyloo, and young people face real challenges in securing building plots or navigating a planning system that is widely described as lengthy and complex. For some, the time and uncertainty involved can be enough to look elsewhere. This has implications not only for individual households but for the long-term resilience of the parishes.

The community supports modest, locally-needed housing growth that strengthens the school roll and helps retain families. Expansion adjacent to Dounby, particularly near the school and community facilities, is seen as practical and sustainable because it makes use of existing infrastructure and supports daily activity within the village. Smaller clusters of homes in appropriate locations are also supported, including opportunities around the halls. The idea of a “Hall hamlet” reflects an ambition to build gently around existing community anchors, creating small groupings of homes that reinforce rather than dilute social connection.

There was strong interest in exploring community-led serviced plots with mechanisms to support long-term affordability. Such an approach could allow land to be prepared collectively and sold at cost, with safeguards to ensure homes remain accessible over time. This reflects a desire to think proactively and creatively about housing supply, rather than waiting for external delivery.

Housing is also closely linked to independence. For older residents, the ability to remain locally depends on having appropriate homes within reach of services and on being able to move safely between home, hall, shop and social activities. As mobility changes over time, access to nearby facilities becomes more important. Well-located housing supports continued independence and reduces the need for longer journeys.

Residents emphasised that growth should be proportionate in scale, well designed and integrated with infrastructure capacity. Prime agricultural land, open landscape and heritage settings are valued and should continue to be safeguarded. Development should respect views, topography and dark skies. New homes should sit comfortably within the rural character of Harray and Sandwick, strengthening the parishes without altering their identity.

In summary, the community supports housing growth that keeps people here, supports independence at every life stage and reinforces existing centres of activity. Managed carefully, housing can be a positive force for long-term sustainability and community resilience.

IMAGE: Concept diagram of Hall-Hamlets showing a community hall, housing clusters, play space and planting, EV charging, a recycling centre, bus connections and services around clustered housing.

Community Success: Milestone Kirk, Dounby

The development and continued use of Milestone Kirk in Dounby provides a strong example of community-led regeneration in practice. Delivered through local initiative, volunteer effort and partnership working, the project has created a new facility that supports worship, events and wider community activity.

Milestone Kirk demonstrates how new community infrastructure can be developed in a way that responds directly to local need while contributing to village vitality. It reflects the capacity within Harray and Sandwick to mobilise skills, commitment and collaboration to deliver valued facilities for the long term.

This experience provides confidence that future projects, whether related to village facilities, heritage or community assets, can be approached with the same care, structure and community leadership.

IMAGE: Milestone Kirk in Dounby, a modern community building with stone walls, large windows, a covered entrance and a cross on the side, set within a grassy rural landscape.

Community Infrastructure

The survey and community discussions made clear that infrastructure in Harray and Sandwick is not just about buildings. It is about whether daily life feels connected, welcoming and sustainable. Residents value strong social networks and active halls, but they also spoke about the gradual loss of everyday amenities and the impact this has on everyday life.

The absence of a café or pub in Dounby was mentioned repeatedly. Small changes in local provision can have disproportionate effects in rural areas. When informal meeting spaces disappear, the sense of energy and “buzz” in an area can fade. People described missing a place to gather casually, to meet after school events, to host visiting family or to hold small fundraisers. These conversations led to discussion about the future of the hotel and the possibility of community involvement if a viable and carefully structured model could be developed.

The emphasis throughout was on realism: any exploration of ownership would require a robust business plan, appropriate governance arrangements and long-term sustainability. More broadly, there is a sense that Dounby has lost some of its previous vibrancy as local services have reduced. The community is keen to see this rebuilt, strengthening the village as a place to live, work and gather. Opportunities such as the future of the Smithfield site, improved green space, and better integration of services and facilities form part of that wider ambition.

The parish halls at Harray, Sandwick and Quoyloo remain vital community anchors. There is an opportunity to strengthen their role further through improved car parking, small-scale EV charging and campervan hook-up facilities that could generate income, and exploration of additional revenue streams.

There is also a need to reduce operational costs through improved insulation, renewable energy solutions and other efficiency measures.

Outdoor space around halls could be enhanced to support informal play and community use, using play-led design and landscaping rather than large-scale equipment.

There is also wider potential in places such as the Smithfield Hotel and the surrounding area in Dounby. Residents expressed interest in thinking more strategically about how green space, footpaths, play areas, recycling provision and community uses and facilities, shops and services could connect more coherently. The aim is a more joined-up approach that makes the village centre more welcoming, accessible and practical for all generations.

Orkney Dance & Fitness Ltd has acquired the former Dounby United Free Church and is developing Thrive Studio Orkney as a health and wellbeing hub, delivering inclusive programmes and hybrid outreach to improve accessibility and reduce social isolation across rural and island communities.

Corrigall Museum was also mentioned as an opportunity. Residents see value in exploring how parish heritage, family histories and farming traditions could be more visible and accessible locally. A renewed heritage focus could strengthen identity and intergenerational connection, while complementing wider visitor activity linked to Skaill House, Skara Brae and the surrounding coastline, and in turn supporting other visitor-focused offers across the parishes.

IMAGE: Dounby village centre improvement ideas sketch. The labelled proposals are:

• A: Smithfield Hotel.
• B: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust – junction improvement project.
• C: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust – bus stop improvement project.
• D: Aspiration for link to Back Road.
• E: Strengthen existing path connections.
• F: New tree/shrub planting.
• G: Informal play for young children.
• H: Improvements to back land amenity value.
• I: Improvements to waste centre.
• J: Potential for redesign of Back Road traffic movement, such as one-way operation.

Public Transport and Connectivity

Connectivity in Harray and Sandwick is about more than movement. It is about independence, opportunity and resilience. For a dispersed rural population, physical transport and digital access are equally important foundations of daily life.

Residents were clear that current bus provision does not fully reflect the realities of rural living. Many households are located some distance from established routes, and timetables do not always align with working hours, school activities or healthcare appointments. For those without access to a car, this can limit employment opportunities, social participation and access to essential services. Existing services are primarily oriented towards Kirkwall, with more limited connectivity between West Mainland communities and into Dounby itself. The challenge is about frequency, coverage and flexibility.

There is strong interest in exploring more responsive models of rural transport, including demand-responsive services that could operate across Harray, Sandwick and neighbouring parishes. A flexible service capable of linking to the X1 Kirkwall–Stromness corridor, supporting and serving community events could strengthen independence across all age groups. A pilot approach could support long-term decisions to be evidence-based and sustainable.

Digital connectivity in Dounby and across the parishes remains inconsistent and, in places, poor. This affects businesses, public services and everyday life, limiting opportunities for remote working, access to services and economic resilience. Given Dounby’s role as a service hub, these constraints are particularly significant.

Digital connectivity emerged consistently through survey responses and Steering Group discussion as a cross-cutting issue affecting daily life in Harray and Sandwick. In the community survey, residents repeatedly highlighted patchy mobile signal and inconsistent broadband reliability, particularly in the more rural parts of both parishes. For households and businesses operating beyond Dounby, connectivity can be uneven and unpredictable.

Reliable broadband and mobile coverage underpin the ability to work locally, run small businesses and reduce the need to travel to Kirkwall. Several respondents expressed interest in shared or community workspace in Dounby, and the reuse of existing buildings, noting that these ideas depend entirely on dependable digital infrastructure. Connectivity is therefore closely linked to employment opportunities and the long-term viability of housing growth.

Digital access also affects participation and resilience. Survey responses suggested that uneven connectivity and varying levels of digital confidence influence how well residents stay informed and engaged. For older residents and those less confident online, this can create barriers to accessing services or information.

The planned transition from traditional copper landlines to broadband-based digital voice services by 2027 further reinforces the importance of resilient infrastructure. As communication systems become dependent on electricity and internet access, power outages can disrupt essential contact unless appropriate backup arrangements are in place. For rural communities, such as Harray and Sandwick, connectivity must therefore be considered alongside power resilience and emergency planning.

The evidence supports treating digital connectivity as essential enabling infrastructure within this Local Place Plan. Improving coverage, reliability and resilience will support local employment, strengthen community resilience, improve access to health and public services, and enable fuller participation in community life.

Taken together, transport and digital connectivity form the backbone of independence. Safe and quiet roads, a denser public transport network, strong broadband and resilient mobile networks enable people to work locally, access healthcare, run businesses and remain socially connected. Without them, rural communities become increasingly isolated.

This Plan therefore supports continued improvement in both physical and digital connectivity. It supports exploration of flexible rural transport solutions, engagement with broadband rollout programmes, improved mobile coverage, and greater attention to power resilience for essential communication systems. Connectivity must be planned as a core utility for the long-term sustainability of Harray and Sandwick.

IMAGE: Proposed “Getting Around Dounby” bus stop and village centre design drawing. The drawing includes a village centre design boundary, bus stop design boundary, proposed kerbline alterations, pavement, white road markings, furniture zones, parking, green sustainable drainage features, buff high-friction surfacing, raised tables, tactile paving, a Market Garden site, dropped kerbs, seating, cycle stands, low stone walls and public-space improvements. The design aims are to manage vehicle speeds, make crossings easier and safer, improve links between Smiddybrae House, local shops, the Market Green and Dounby Primary School, improve accessibility, reinforce the village centre as a destination, and complement the Market Green proposal.

IMAGE: Bus stop proposal showing a bus shelter, accessible paths, dropped kerbs, cycle parking, cycle repair facilities, outdoor seating, raised planters and a low stone wall. The proposal aims to make the bus stop accessible and comfortable, improve its appearance and create a small cycle hub.

IMAGE: Photograph of Dounby bus stop on West Mainland Show day. People wait beside a glass bus shelter while vehicles are parked along the marked bus stop area.

A Spatial Framework: Strengthening Our Parishes

Across the survey responses, meetings and stakeholder discussions, a consistent spatial pattern emerged. Harray and Sandwick are thinking in terms of places — how key sites, routes and facilities connect to each other, and how investment in one area can strengthen the whole.

At the centre of this framework sits the role that Dounby plays for both parishes. It is the shared hub: home to the school, daily shopping, bus routes and many informal social interactions. Residents want Dounby to function well, with calmer movement, clear pedestrian routes, safe crossings, attractive green space and housing growth that supports the school and local services. The Bowling Club and associated recreational facilities also provide opportunities to strengthen multi-generational wellbeing.

Alongside this, there is an opportunity to support small, new and growing businesses within Dounby as the shared hub of the West Mainland. Community feedback highlights the importance of creating space for enterprise, including flexible business units, workshop space and opportunities for local services to establish and expand. Locating such provision within or close to the village centre would reinforce Dounby’s role as a service hub, increase footfall to existing businesses and support a more resilient local economy. This could be explored in conjunction with wider development at key sites, including the Smithfield Hotel and surrounding area, ensuring that economic activity is integrated with community life.

Within Dounby, there is significant opportunity centred on the future of the Smithfield Hotel and its surrounding area. The Smithfield Hotel, which is currently on the market, occupies a prominent and strategic position within the village. Community discussions and the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust Mobility Audit highlight the importance of thinking about this part of Dounby comprehensively, recognising it as a key node within the wider parishes of Harray, Sandwick and Birsay.

The Smithfield Hotel sits within central Dounby and its cluster of assets that include the school, shop, main bus stop, green space and established walking routes. Viewed together, these create the foundation for a strengthened village heart and wider community beyond Dounby. With the Smithfield Hotel currently on the market, residents have identified that there may be an opportunity for a potential community acquisition which could secure the long-term future of the Hotel. There is a clear desire to examine this option carefully and constructively, recognising that ownership could provide greater alignment between the hotel’s future use and wider community priorities.

Any such step would require detailed financial appraisal, governance planning and partnership working, but the opportunity is recognised as significant. The future of the Smithfield Hotel is of key importance to the community in Dounby and the wider West Mainland. The West Mainland currently has a limited café, pub and visitor accommodation, especially when compared to previous years and the current offering in the East Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay. The Smithfield Hotel is recognised as a strategically important site within Dounby. The community has expressed strong interest in seeing the site contribute positively to village life and the wider economy.

IMAGE: Photograph of Smithfield Hotel from the junction of Dounby. The stone-built hotel stands beside the road with a covered entrance, paved forecourt and surrounding rural village setting.

Learning from Elsewhere: Community Ownership of Stronsay Hotel

The community purchase and reopening of the Stronsay Hotel provides a recent Orkney example of how local ownership can revitalise a key village asset. Through structured governance, external funding support and a clear operational model, the hotel has been re-established as both a hospitality venue and an important social hub.

The Stronsay experience demonstrates that successful community acquisition requires robust feasibility work, appropriate legal structures and realistic financial planning. For Harray and Sandwick, it illustrates the level of preparation and partnership required should community involvement in Smithfield be progressed.

Based on community feedback and identified demand, there is confidence that additional provision could be supported without undermining existing businesses across the West Mainland. The Local Place Plan supports exploration of options for the future of the site, including potential community involvement, subject to detailed feasibility, governance and financial planning.

Any purchase of the Smithfield Hotel would provide economic benefit in a number of ways. There would be the retention and development of local employment, as well as income generation through local and tourism markets. The income that could be generated from a community-owned asset could be reinvested in other community initiatives, such as housing, recycling, capacity building and other community priorities. This mirrors the model utilised by a number of island development trusts across Orkney that have income from community turbines.

IMAGE: Photographs of Stronsay Hotel, including the exterior of the white-painted building with the words “STRONSAY HOTEL” above the entrance, and an interior bar scene with staff and customers.

The ongoing Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust work provides a strong platform for linking movement, green space and community infrastructure in Dounby. Proposals focus on safer crossings, bus stop improvements, clearer pedestrian routes and speed management through the centre. This provides a strong platform for a wider spatial approach linking movement, green space and community infrastructure.

The core path network and the St Magnus Way are valued assets, however there is a perception that some sections are deteriorating. There is an opportunity to prioritise maintenance, improve connections into Dounby, and enhance signage and interpretation.

Strengthening these links would help bring people into the village and support local businesses, while also improving everyday access for residents. Future improvements should consider path design approaches that minimise long-term maintenance requirements, including appropriate surfacing, drainage and alignment suited to local conditions.

There is also an opportunity to improve wayfinding and interpretation across the parishes. This could include clearer signage for walking routes and local points of interest, alongside the introduction of interpretation boards at key community locations such as halls. Together, these measures would improve accessibility, strengthen sense of place and support a more connected network of routes linking community assets and heritage sites.

Learning from Elsewhere: Community Stewardship of the Tomb of the Eagles

The community acquisition of the Tomb of the Eagles in South Ronaldsay provides an Orkney example of heritage stewardship at parish level. Through structured governance and phased investment, the site is being conserved, interpreted and managed for long-term sustainability.

The project demonstrates how community leadership, supported by professional expertise and external funding, can secure the future of a heritage asset while strengthening local identity and education. For Harray and Sandwick, this illustrates how a renewed future for Corrigall could be explored through partnership and clear long-term planning.

IMAGE: Photograph of the Tomb of the Eagles, showing a grass-covered archaeological site with stone walls, a low entrance and a path leading into the structure.

Learning from Elsewhere: Bruckland Community Recycling, Northmavine, Shetland

Bruckland SCRAN Recycling Centre, operated by the Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC), demonstrates how a rural community can build on the standard local authority recycling offer to deliver enhanced local value. Centrally located within the community, Bruckland provides a dedicated space for residents to reuse, recycle, and responsibly dispose of household items. Since opening in 2019, it has developed into a well-used community asset with clear environmental and social benefits. It also attracts visitors from a wider area, with many travelling to browse and repurpose items from the ‘bruck’.

What Bruckland Does

Bruckland provides a flexible, community-focused service including:

• Reuse hub — Residents can drop off surplus household goods, including furniture, toys, and tools, for others to take in exchange for a donation.
• Recycling and disposal — The site accepts materials such as scrap metal, waste plastics, and bulky household waste, reducing the need for long-distance trips to alternative facilities.
• Membership model — Users can opt for an annual membership, approximately £60, for unlimited skip use, or discounted volunteer membership, or pay-as-you-go access.

The facility currently includes three shipping containers and a portacabin housing a wide range of reusable items. Due to increasing demand, there are plans to replace these with more permanent shed structures. Between September 2022 and September 2023, the centre diverted over 9 tonnes of material from landfill.

Bruckland operates on a part-time basis, typically open two days per week, one weekday and Sunday, and is supported by a part-time staff member alongside volunteers. While not a full-time facility, this model balances accessibility with operational sustainability in a rural context.

IMAGE: Photographs of reusable household goods, furniture, equipment and materials stored outdoors at the Bruckland community recycling centre.

Taken together, the Smithfield Hotel and the surrounding area offer a clear opportunity to strengthen the shared hub of Harray and Sandwick, improving movement, supporting community life and creating a Dounby that feels safe, functional and connected.

The concept of strengthening housing near existing anchors features strongly in community feedback. There is a clear and evidenced need for additional housing across the West Mainland, with current availability and choice not meeting the needs of local households or supporting workforce retention. This is particularly important in sustaining school roll, local services and everyday community life.

Expansion adjacent to the school and community facilities is viewed as practical and sustainable. There is a need to deliver a balanced mix of housing, including private, affordable and social provision, to meet a range of needs and support a resilient and sustainable population.

Around the halls, the idea of small ‘Hall Hamlets’ reflects an ambition to reinforce community hubs through modest clusters of housing that sustain activity and social connection. This approach supports proportionate, infrastructure-led growth that aligns with the character and capacity of the parishes.

The halls in both parishes remain key anchors. They host events, sport, seasonal gatherings and everyday meetings. Survey responses consistently highlighted their importance. There is support for enhancing their long-term sustainability through energy improvements, adaptable internal spaces and better-designed outdoor areas, including looking at mini play parks.

Heritage and visitor assets form another important layer of this framework. The closure of Corrigall Farm Museum represented a loss to the West Mainland heritage offer. There is an opportunity to consider how heritage provision could be re-established or reimagined, potentially through a facility that provides interpretation and information on the history of the parishes and West Mainland. A renewed focus here would strengthen local identity and deepen intergenerational connection while complementing wider visitor activity.

Skaill Beach represents an important asset for both the local community and visitors, and there is an opportunity to enhance access and amenity at this location. This could include improvements to parking, provision of appropriate toilet facilities, and better connections between the road, the beach and access to the water. There is also potential to strengthen links with surrounding assets, including Skaill House and Skara Brae, to support a more coordinated visitor experience. Any future work would be progressed in partnership with relevant stakeholders and landowners, ensuring that improvements are sensitive to the landscape and local context.

IMAGE: Skaill Beach plan showing an existing beach-edge walking route, aspiration to make the route more accessible, existing toilet facilities, possible additional disabled parking and access improvements, changing spaces, options for a new slip site, additional parking and campervan hook-ups.

Skaill Beach represents an important asset for both the local community and visitors, and there is an opportunity to enhance access and amenity at this location. This could include improvements to parking, provision of appropriate toilet facilities, and better connections between the road, the beach and access to the water. There is also potential to strengthen links with surrounding assets, including Skaill House and Skara Brae, to support a more coordinated visitor experience. Any future work would be progressed in partnership with relevant stakeholders and landowners, ensuring that improvements are sensitive to the landscape and local context.

IMAGE: Photograph of Skaill Beach from the edge of the existing toilet block and potential location of accessible access. The image shows a rocky beach, shallow water, grassy coastal land and a broad open sky.

The lochs are also highly valued, both for local use and for fishing tourism. Improving access, signage and promotion of the lochs would enhance both visitor experience and community benefit. At the coastal edge, Skaill House, Skaill Beach and Skara Brae form an internationally significant heritage corridor. The community supports improved path connections, orientation and well-integrated infrastructure that strengthens links with Harray and Sandwick while safeguarding landscape character. Thoughtful integration of visitor access can enhance local economic benefit and reinforce quality of place.

Movement ties all of this together. Footpaths, safer routes to school, calmer traffic through Dounby and on rural roads, and well-maintained verges connect homes, halls, heritage sites and green space. This will enable, for example, the school children to safely access the world around the school as part of a wider learning landscape around them. The ‘Getting Around Dounby’ project presents an opportunity to embed active travel within this wider spatial framework, making it easier and safer to move between key destinations.

Throughout engagement, residents emphasised that growth should be proportionate, well integrated and respectful of context. Prime agricultural land, open views and heritage settings continue to define the parishes. Future development should respect topography, dark skies and rural character.

Taken together, these places of opportunity form a coherent network: Dounby as a strengthened hub; halls as local anchors; Smithfield Hotel as an integrated village social space; Corrigall and Skaill as heritage and visitor nodes; housing clusters located to support infrastructure; and safe routes linking them all.

By thinking spatially and building on what people value, Harray and Sandwick can support housing, vitality and independence while sustaining the character that defines both parishes.

IMAGE: Photograph of Skara Brae, Skaill. The image shows the stone walls and grass-covered remains of the Neolithic settlement, with a narrow stone-paved passage and archaeological chambers.

Delivering the Plan, Partnership and Review

This Local Place Plan sets out a clear community-led direction for Harray and Sandwick. Delivery will depend on partnership, coordination and sustained commitment over time.

Some elements of the Plan can be progressed locally. The Community Council and local groups can support feasibility work, coordinate discussion around housing opportunities, explore options for community asset development, and advocate for infrastructure improvements. Community-led initiatives, particularly around major facilities, halls, heritage, green space and local engagement, will continue to play a central role in shaping how places evolve.

Other priorities require collaboration with Orkney Islands Council and external partners. Movement and traffic management measures depend on continued partnership with Roads Services and Police Scotland. Some housing growth and land-use decisions sit within the planning framework and must align with the Orkney Local Development Plan and National Planning Framework 4. Improvements to public transport, digital connectivity and some other elements will rely on local and national investment programmes.

The Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust project in Dounby provides an example of how partnership working can translate community aspiration into design proposals and delivery on the ground. Similar collaborative approaches will be important as other elements of this Plan progress.

This Plan is intended to inform future Local Development Plan reviews and should be considered in relevant planning and infrastructure decisions affecting Harray and Sandwick. It provides spatial clarity on where growth is supported, where landscape protection is valued, and how community infrastructure can be strengthened.

Delivery will take place over time. Some projects will be short-term and incremental; others will require longer-term funding and coordination. The Community Council can review the Plan annually to monitor progress, identify emerging priorities and respond to changing circumstances. This will ensure that the Plan remains a live document.

Above all, delivery depends on maintaining the strong community involvement that shaped this document. The Vision set out in this Plan reflects everyday experience and shared ambition. Continued engagement will ensure that future decisions remain rooted in that same collective understanding.

The development of this Plan has been supported by a committed Steering Group alongside external consultancy input. To deliver its ambitions, there is a need to build and sustain local capacity within the community, including leadership, project delivery capability and organisational resilience.

Action Plan

The action plan sets out a phased approach to delivery, recognising that change will take place over time and will require coordination between partners, funding and community effort. Actions are grouped into short-, medium- and long-term priorities to reflect both early opportunities and longer-term ambition. Short term, 0–2 years, focuses on quick wins, planning and early delivery. Medium term, 2–5 years, reflects developed projects, partnerships and capital works. Long term, 5+ years, captures transformational, infrastructure-led change that will support the long-term sustainability of Harray and Sandwick.

Movement and Safety

Short term, 0–2 years

• Improve safety in and around Dounby, including extending footpaths aligned with 30mph limits and addressing rural road conditions and verge safety.
• Identify priority safety and path improvements.
• Engage on housing sites, including Hall Hamlets.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Deliver footpaths, crossings and safety improvements.
• See the development of mixed-tenure housing and small clusters.

Long term, 5+ years

• Deliver a connected, low-maintenance path network.
• Sustain housing delivery to support the population and workforce.

Housing

Short term, 0–2 years

• Support delivery of modest, locally-needed housing in and around Dounby and appropriate small clusters.
• Engage on housing sites, including Hall Hamlets.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Progress mixed-tenure housing and small clusters.

Long term, 5+ years

• Sustain housing delivery to support the population and workforce.

Community Infrastructure

Short term, 0–2 years

• Strengthen sustainability of halls and wider community infrastructure through improved facilities, energy efficiency and potential income-generating opportunities.
• Enhance outdoor space around community facilities to support informal play and community use.
• Review community facilities and recycling provision.
• Develop integrated recycling and reuse facility proposals.
• Explore a Bruckland-style recycling and reuse model.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Upgrade halls and community outdoor spaces.
• Establish a community-led recycling and reuse facility.
• Support a resilient, thriving local economy.

Long term, 5+ years

• Continue to strengthen community facilities and income-generating opportunities.

Dounby and Village Centre

Short term, 0–2 years

• Strengthen Dounby as a hub for shops, services and community activity.
• Explore future use of key sites, including the Smithfield, as part of a coordinated approach to village centre improvement.
• Review access and movement within the village, including potential improvements to back road circulation, and build on the Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust work considering movement within Dounby.
• Engage on Smithfield and village centre opportunities, exploring the business case.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Progress Dounby and key site improvements.

Long term, 5+ years

• Realise a strengthened Dounby village centre.

Transport and Connectivity

Short term, 0–2 years

• Explore more flexible and demand-responsive public transport options linked to existing routes.
• Support improvements to broadband and mobile coverage, recognising connectivity as essential infrastructure.
• Develop project ideas, working with the community and stakeholders, and explore funding opportunities.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Expand flexible and demand-responsive transport.
• Build local capacity to support delivery of projects and maintain momentum following the Plan.

Long term, 5+ years

• Establish a long-term plan, review and development process.
• Secure a sustainable future for officer capacity to support ongoing projects.

Heritage and Natural Assets

Short term, 0–2 years

• Explore opportunities for future heritage provision following the closure of Corrigall.
• Improve access to assets including Skaill Beach.
• Explore options for enhanced facilities, subject to feasibility, including access to the beach and the water and working with partners and landowners to develop proposals.
• Develop project ideas, working with the community and stakeholders, and explore funding opportunities.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Deliver Skaill Beach access and amenity upgrades.
• Progress project development, engagement and feasibility work.

Long term, 5+ years

• Deliver reimagined heritage provision.

Core Paths and Wayfinding

Short term, 0–2 years

• Improve connections between villages, community hubs and key assets through upgraded paths, low-maintenance design, enhanced signage and interpretation.
• Audit core paths, signage and wayfinding.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Improve paths, signage and interpretation.

Long term, 5+ years

• Establish a maintenance approach.

Delivery and Capacity

Short term, 0–2 years

• Build local capacity to support the delivery of projects and maintain momentum following the Plan.
• Explore opportunities and work with neighbouring West Mainland parishes to secure capacity support.

Medium term, 2–5 years

• Build local capacity to support delivery of projects and maintain momentum following the Plan.

Long term, 5+ years

• Secure a sustainable future for officer capacity to support ongoing projects.

Conclusion

This Local Place Plan reflects the time, thought and commitment of many people across Harray and Sandwick. It has been shaped by survey responses, open discussion, community meetings and the work of the Steering Group, who have given their time to consider evidence, explore options and refine direction. The strength of this Plan lies in that collective effort.

Residents have shared their experiences of daily life — what works well, where pressures are felt and how change could strengthen the future of both parishes. From conversations about safer routes to school and housing for young families, to discussions about halls, heritage and village vitality, the input has been practical, measured and forward-looking.

The Steering Group has played a central role in guiding the process, ensuring that evidence is considered carefully and that proposals remain grounded in what the community has said. Their contribution, alongside the many individuals and groups who engaged through the survey, discussions and workshops, has created a Plan that is both realistic and ambitious.

Harray and Sandwick are strong rural parishes with a shared hub at Dounby. This Plan sets out how they can continue to evolve in a way that supports independence, strengthens community life and protects the landscape that defines them. It provides a clear, community-led framework to guide future decisions and investment.

The work does not end here. This Plan provides direction, and its success will depend on continued partnership and engagement. The commitment shown throughout this process provides confidence that Harray and Sandwick will continue to shape their future together with clarity and purpose.

IMAGE: Photograph of Harray Loch, West Mainland. The image shows the loch under a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by grassy vegetation and open rolling landscape.

Appendix B: Copies of Consultation Notices

Notification of Proposed Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan

15th April 2026

Dear Councillors King, Stevenson, Tierney and Tullock,

I am writing to inform you, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, that the Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan is now available for consultation prior to submission to the planning authority. As a local Councillor representing the area covered by the Plan, we are providing you with a copy of the proposed Local Place Plan along with this notice.

The Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan has been developed in collaboration with the local communities to set out a vision for the future development of the area. The Plan identifies key priorities and aspirations, with a focus on five consistent priorities:

• Movement and Everyday Safety.
• Housing supply and retention.
• Village vitality and community infrastructure.
• Public transport provision.
• Digital connectivity and economic resilience.

Across all discussions, residents emphasised balance, supporting necessary growth while protecting agricultural land, open views, heritage settings and rural character.

Our aim is to ensure that community-led priorities are reflected in future planning decisions.

We are now inviting representations on the content of the proposed Local Place Plan. Comments, suggestions, or concerns can be submitted to harr ayandsandwickclerk@gmail.com.

The deadline for submitting representations is 13th May 2026. If you require any further information or would like to discuss the Plan in more detail, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan Steering Group

Notification to Community Councils

15th April 2026

To: Harray & Sandwick, Birsay, Firth & Stenness, Stromness Community Councils

Dear Community Councillors,

Notification of Proposed Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan

I am writing to inform you, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, that the Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan is now available for consultation prior to submission to the planning authority. As a local Councillor representing the area covered by the Plan, we are providing you with a copy of the proposed Local Place Plan along with this notice.

The Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan has been developed in collaboration with the local communities to set out a vision for the future development of the area. The Plan identifies key priorities and aspirations, with a focus on five consistent priorities:

• Movement and Everyday Safety.
• Housing and Retention.
• Public Transport and Digital Connectivity.
• Vitality and Community Infrastructure.

Across all discussions, residents emphasised balance, supporting necessary growth while protecting agricultural land, open views, heritage settings and rural character.

Our aim is to ensure that community-led priorities are reflected in future planning decisions.

We are now inviting representations on the content of the proposed Local Place Plan. Comments, suggestions, or concerns can be submitted to harr ayandsandwickclerk@gmail.com.

The deadline for submitting representations is 13th May 2026. If you require any further information or would like to discuss the Plan in more detail, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan Steering Group

Appendix C: Summary of Community Engagement Feedback

Introduction

Community engagement and participation has played a key role in the development of the Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan.

A range of engagement methods were employed to ensure that the Plan was informed by as many voices as possible.

This Appendix provides a detailed summary of stakeholder engagement activities undertaken during the development of the Plan:

• Information about the Steering Group.
• Community survey.
• Events and community group meetings.
• Discussions with businesses.
• Discussions with external stakeholders.

The Steering Group

Whilst the initiative had been led by the Harray and Sandwick Local Place Plan, the Steering Group has been both representative and diverse; the group established brought together individuals from a range of backgrounds and sectors.

The Steering Group involved representatives from the Harray and Sandwick Community Council, an Elected Member, representatives from Harray Community Association, a resident and a representative from Sandwick Community Association/local business.

Membership was as follows:

The group met regularly with the Consultant Team and played a vital role in shaping the Local Place Plan, helping to identify and develop the key priorities.

Community Survey

A core element of the stakeholder engagement strategy has been the Community Survey, aimed at residents in Harray and Sandwick. The survey was designed to capture both overall perceptions and differences in experience across age groups and life stages, providing a robust evidence base to inform the development of the Plan.

The survey was promoted widely over a sustained period using multiple channels. This included targeted promotion through local social media groups, sharing via established community networks, and the use of posters displayed in local facilities.

This approach was intended to maximise awareness of the survey and encourage participation from a broad cross-section of the community. In total, 138 responses were received. Based on electoral register data, the combined adult population of Harray and Sandwick is approximately 1,143 people. The number of responses therefore represents around 12% of the adult population, which is a strong level of engagement for a voluntary, comprehensive community survey in a rural context.

The survey responses were drawn predominantly from people with a strong day-to-day connection to Harray and Sandwick. Over four-fifths of respondents, 81%, live within the two parishes, with the largest proportion living in the rural areas of Harray, 46%, and Sandwick, 35%, and a further 10% residing in Dounby village. A smaller proportion of respondents, 9%, do not live in the area but visit or spend time in Harray and Sandwick regularly.

IMAGE: Pie chart titled “What is your connection with Harray and Sandwick?” The chart shows respondents living in the rural areas of Harray parish, 46%; respondents living in the rural areas of Sandwick parish outside Dounby, 35%; respondents living in Dounby village, 10%; and respondents who do not live in the area but visit or spend time in Harray and Sandwick regularly, 9%.

The survey comprised a set of questions asking for feedback around the Place Standard themes. A copy of the questionnaire is attached at Appendix D.

Respondents were presented with 14 themes and asked to rate Harray and Sandwick in respect to each of these using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means there is a lot of room for improvement and 7 means that there is very little improvement needed.

The results essentially tell us how the community perceives various aspects within Harray and Sandwick in terms of what works well and what doesn’t.

Theme Rating

Average scores range from 2.60 to 4.43, indicating generally positive perceptions across many themes, alongside some clear areas of concern.

Most themes show an interquartile range, IQR, of around 2, suggesting a moderate spread of views rather than strong consensus.

A small number of themes exhibit notably higher variability, pointing to more polarised or mixed experiences within the community.

Several themes score highly on average, suggesting these are perceived as relative strengths within Harray and Sandwick:

• Identity and Belonging, 4.43 — the highest-scoring theme, with a moderate spread of views, indicating strong shared pride and attachment to place.
• Feeling Safe, 4.11, and Natural Space, 4.07 — both score highly, reflecting positive perceptions of the local environment and sense of safety.
• Social Interaction, 4.04 — suggests that opportunities for social connection are generally viewed positively.

A smaller number of themes score notably lower, highlighting potential priorities for further exploration:

• Public Transport, 2.60 — the lowest average score, indicating widespread concern about provision, accessibility or reliability.
• Moving Around, 3.16, and Care and Maintenance, 3.18 — also score lower than most other themes, suggesting challenges around everyday movement and upkeep of the local environment.

Feeling Safe shows the highest standard deviation, 1.88, and a very high IQR, 3.50, indicating strongly divergent experiences. While the average score is high, some respondents clearly feel much less safe than others.

Play and Recreation has a high IQR, 3.00, suggesting significant differences in how well facilities or opportunities meet different needs or age groups.

Themes such as Traffic and Parking, Housing and Community, and Facilities and Services also show relatively high standard deviations, around 1.5, pointing to mixed experiences depending on location, circumstance or life stage.

Key Implications for the Local Place Plan

High-scoring themes such as Identity and Belonging and Natural Space represent clear assets to be protected and built upon.

Low-scoring themes like Public Transport and Moving Around are likely to be priorities for action.

High-variability themes, notably Feeling Safe and Play and Recreation, warrant deeper qualitative exploration to understand why experiences differ and how interventions could be better targeted.

Taken together, the results reinforce the value of combining average scores with measures of spread, ensuring the Local Place Plan responds not just to overall trends but also to areas of disagreement or unequal experience within the community.

Theme Ranking by Age

The heatmap demonstrates that experiences of Harray and Sandwick vary significantly by age and life stage. While identity, belonging and natural spaces are consistently viewed positively, transport, movement and access-related themes score poorly across most age groups. Mid-aged residents report lower satisfaction across a wider range of themes, while older residents feel safe but experience greater challenges with transport, services and social interaction. These patterns reinforce the importance of targeted, life-stage-aware actions within the Local Place Plan.

IMAGE: Heatmap titled “Harray & Sandwick Local Place Plan – Theme Scores by Age Band”. It compares average scores for themes including Identity and Belonging, Feeling Safe, Moving Around, Traffic and Parking, Facilities and Services, Housing and Community, Care and Maintenance, Natural Spaces, Play and Recreation, Public Transport, Built Environment, Local Economy, Social Interaction and Influence and Control across age bands 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 75+ and Prefer not to say.

Analysis of average theme scores by age band highlights that life stage is a significant factor shaping how people experience Harray and Sandwick. While some themes are viewed positively across most age groups, others reveal marked differences in perception that help explain the variability observed in the overall results. These patterns indicate that challenges are not experienced uniformly across the community, but instead vary according to daily routines, responsibilities, mobility and access needs.

Working-age residents, particularly those aged 35–54, consistently report lower satisfaction across several themes. This is most evident in relation to moving around, public transport, housing and community, and feeling safe, where scores for this group are noticeably below both younger and older age bands. This suggests that the pressures associated with balancing work, family responsibilities and daily travel are most acutely felt by this life stage.

Younger adults aged 25–34 report a strong sense of identity and belonging and a high level of personal safety, alongside relatively positive perceptions of the local economy. However, this group records lower scores for facilities and services, play and recreation, and public transport.

Older residents, particularly those aged 75 and over, report the highest levels of feeling safe. At the same time, they record lower scores for transport, traffic and parking, facilities and services, and social interaction. This suggests that while older residents feel secure, they may face increasing challenges related to mobility, accessibility, service access and opportunities for social participation as they age.

Across all age groups, transport and movement emerge as cross-cutting issues, with public transport scoring poorly regardless of life stage, though the impacts are likely experienced differently.

Analysis by Theme

Moving Around

People value the rural setting and the availability of quieter back roads and informal paths, but moving around without a car is widely seen as unsafe, fragmented and difficult, particularly along main roads and between settlements.

Key strengths

• Quiet side roads, lanes and informal tracks offer good walking opportunities.
• Existing rural routes and core paths are well used by those who know them.
• Recent improvements in Dounby and at Skaill are welcomed.

Key concerns

• Lack of continuous pavements, footpaths and cycle routes linking Dounby to surrounding areas.
• Fast traffic, high vehicle volumes and large vehicles make walking and cycling feel unsafe.
• Significant concerns about children walking or cycling to school on high-speed roads.
• Poor lighting, worn road surfaces and eroding verges reduce safety, particularly in winter.
• Public transport does not meet the needs of many rural residents or commuters.

What People Want to See

• More connected and clearly signposted walking and cycling routes.
• Safer routes between settlements, schools and key destinations.
• Better use, protection and reopening of historic rights of way.
• Improvements designed with accessibility in mind, including for buggies, wheelchairs and those with limited mobility.

Responses relating to moving around highlight a strong appreciation for the rural environment and the availability of informal walking routes, alongside consistent and widespread concerns about safety, connectivity and accessibility, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and children.

Many respondents value the quiet nature of side roads, back roads and lanes, which provide opportunities for walking and cycling away from main traffic routes. Several people highlighted the availability of rural tracks and informal paths, particularly in Harray, as well as recent improvements such as new public spaces in Dounby, improved parking at key locations and seating at Skaill.

The most consistent issue raised relates to the lack of safe walking and cycling infrastructure, particularly along main roads and between settlements. Respondents repeatedly highlighted the absence of pavements, footpaths or cycle routes connecting Dounby to surrounding areas such as North Bigging, Howaback, Harray village and Skaill.

Traffic speed and volume were identified as major barriers to walking and cycling. Many respondents described walking along main roads as intimidating or dangerous, particularly with increasing numbers of coaches, camper vans, agricultural vehicles and buses.

Public transport emerged as another significant concern. Calls were made for more meaningful bus services, better-located stops, and park-and-ride or hub-style facilities.

There was very strong support for improving access to rural walking routes, with the majority of respondents stating they would use more routes if they were accessible, well signposted and clearly identified as public.

A recurring theme was the need to improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges, prams, wheelchairs and buggies. Suggestions included dropped kerbs, widened pavements, better surfacing, boardwalks in wet areas, and improved access to popular destinations such as Skaill Beach.

Overall, responses indicate that while Harray and Sandwick offer a strong foundation for walking and outdoor movement, the current network is fragmented and car-dependent, with safety concerns limiting everyday walking and cycling.

Public Transport

Public transport is seen as designed primarily around commuter travel to Kirkwall, with limited usefulness for day-to-day living, social activities or access to services. There is strong support for more frequent, flexible and better-connected services.

Key strengths

• Existing weekday commuter services to Kirkwall are valued, particularly early morning and evening buses.
• Some respondents highlighted request stops, free Young Scot travel and recent improvements as positives.
• A small number of residents are able to rely on buses when cars are unavailable.

Key concerns

• Services are infrequent outside peak commuter times, with long gaps during the day.
• Weekend and evening services are very limited or impractical, particularly for Sandwick.
• Journeys can be long and indirect, for example via Evie or Birsay, making bus travel unattractive compared to driving.
• Timetables do not support hospital appointments, shopping, social activities or flexible working patterns.
• Bus stops, shelters, lighting and signage are often inadequate, particularly on rural roads.

What People Want to See

• More frequent services throughout the day, not just at commuter times.
• Later evening and weekend buses.
• Better connections between rural areas, Dounby, Kirkwall and Stromness.
• Smaller or feeder buses linking into main routes.
• Strong interest in a community bus or demand-responsive service to fill gaps in the existing network.

Levels of Support

• A clear majority of respondents indicated they would support a trial of community bus services.
• A similarly strong majority said they would use the bus more if services connected better with the X1 or linked rural areas to Dounby.
• Only a small minority opposed these ideas, with most uncertainty coming from people who do not currently use public transport.

Responses relating to public transport consistently highlight a system that works reasonably well for weekday commuting to Kirkwall, but poorly for most other purposes. Many respondents described the current service as effectively a “workers’ bus”, with early morning and evening journeys timed around standard office hours.

Despite these challenges, there is strong appetite for improvement rather than disengagement. Many respondents stated that they would use buses more often if services were more frequent, better timed and better connected.

Overall, the responses suggest that public transport is not currently meeting the needs of a large proportion of residents, but that there is clear willingness to use improved services if they are designed around everyday life rather than narrow commuting patterns.

Traffic and Parking

Traffic and parking are seen as manageable in places but increasingly under pressure, particularly in and around Dounby. Concerns focus on speed, pedestrian safety and crossing points, rather than any lack of parking.

Key strengths

• Parking provision at community halls and recent new parking areas in Dounby is generally welcomed.
• Passing places on single-track roads are seen as reasonably well provided and signed.
• Some recent traffic management measures, such as flashing school lights and extended 40mph zones in parts of Harray, are viewed positively.

Key concerns

• Speeding through Dounby and along main routes is a dominant concern, particularly near the school, shops and crossroads.
• Pedestrians feel unsafe crossing the road, especially children, older people and those with mobility issues.
• Parking is perceived as disorganised in some locations, notably around Asda, the crossroads and older shop frontages, affecting visibility and safety.
• Verges, potholes and road edges are deteriorating, particularly where heavy vehicles and tourist traffic are common.
• Seasonal pressure from coaches, camper vans and agricultural traffic intensifies safety issues.

20mph Limits

• A clear majority support 20mph limits around the school and in the village where people are most likely to walk and cycle.
• A minority express concern about compliance and enforcement, rather than the principle of lower speeds.

Crossings

There is strong support for one or more formal crossings in Dounby, with commonly suggested locations including:

• Near Asda and the medical practice.
• At or close to the crossroads.
• Between the new parking areas, toilets and village shops.
• Near the school and Market Green.

Several respondents suggested that more than one crossing may be needed to serve different desire lines safely.

Traffic Calming

Most respondents would support traffic calming measures, particularly:

• Smiley-face speed signs.
• Interactive or electronic speed indicators.

Physical measures such as speed bumps or road narrowing are more controversial and attract mixed views, especially on rural roads. Enforcement is frequently cited as critical to making any measures effective.

What People Want to See

• Slower traffic through Dounby, especially near the school and shops.
• Safer, clearer crossing points for pedestrians.
• Maintenance of verges, road edges and potholes.
• Proportionate, well-targeted traffic calming rather than blanket approaches.

Built Environment

The built environment is shaped by a strong network of community buildings and halls, but this is undermined by under-used, neglected or closed buildings, particularly in Dounby. There is a strong desire to see existing assets brought back into use, rather than new buildings added without a clear purpose.

Key strengths

• Community halls, Harray and Sandwick, and Milestone Church are well used and highly valued.
• Dounby School and associated facilities are seen as important community assets.
• Recent investment such as the new toilets and Market Green has improved parts of the village.
• The overall rural built form and landscape setting are viewed positively.

Key concerns

• Closure and deterioration of prominent buildings, especially Corrigall Farm Museum and the Masonic Hall in Dounby.
• Poor condition of some buildings, walls, fences, car parks and public realm features.
• Limited facilities in Dounby following the loss of shops and hospitality uses.
• Perceived imbalance in development opportunities between Harray and Sandwick.
• Lack of informal, accessible spaces for older people, young people and those at risk of social isolation.

What People Want to See

• Vacant and under-used buildings brought back into productive community or mixed use.
• Corrigall Farm reopened and re-imagined as a living heritage and community asset.
• Improvements to the public realm, including paths, boundaries, play spaces and village appearance.
• Better alignment between buildings, services and community needs, rather than “buildings for buildings’ sake”.

Responses relating to the built environment consistently highlight the importance of existing community buildings as anchors of local life in Harray and Sandwick. Community halls, Milestone Church and Dounby School were repeatedly described as well used, valued and central to social activity.

Alongside these strengths, there is widespread frustration about the loss, closure or under-use of prominent buildings, most notably Corrigall Farm Museum and the Masonic Hall in Dounby. Corrigall Farm was repeatedly cited as a missed opportunity, with respondents describing it as a valuable heritage asset that could support education, volunteering, tourism and social connection.

Dounby, in particular, was described as having lost some of its vibrancy, with respondents noting the closure of shops and hospitality venues and a lack of informal places for people to meet. There were repeated calls for facilities such as a café, pub or flexible community space to help bring people together and support social life.

Across the responses, there was a strong preference for making better use of what already exists, rather than expanding the built environment without a clear plan.

Natural Spaces

Harray and Sandwick are widely valued for their high-quality natural environment, including coastline, beaches, lochs and open landscapes. The main issues raised are access, maintenance, pressure from tourism and inclusivity, rather than a lack of natural space itself.

Key strengths

• Strong appreciation of Skaill Bay, Yesnaby, lochside landscapes and wider open countryside.
• Existing walking routes, tracks and the St Magnus Way are highly valued.
• The area is recognised as one of Orkney’s key natural assets, both for residents and visitors.

Key concerns

• Limited accessibility to some natural spaces, particularly for people with mobility issues, such as Skaill Beach.
• Coastal erosion, path degradation and lack of maintenance in places.
• Pressure from tourism, including campervans, motorhomes and seasonal congestion.
• Insufficient bins, toilets and supporting facilities at popular sites.
• Poor visibility or lack of signposting for walking routes and access points.

Tourism Management

• Many respondents support designated campervan and motorhome areas to manage impacts, provided they are well located, serviced and managed.
• Views are mixed on location, with strong emphasis on avoiding sensitive landscapes and residential areas.
• There is clear support for modest charges to fund upkeep and facilities.

What People Want to See

• Better access to beaches, lochs and paths, including inclusive design.
• Improved signage, maintenance and clarity around where people can walk.
• More benches, picnic areas and informal seating in appropriate locations.
• A more managed, sustainable approach to tourism that benefits the community and protects the environment.

Responses relating to natural spaces reflect a strong and consistent appreciation of the quality, variety and importance of the natural environment in Harray and Sandwick. Many respondents described the landscape, coastline and open spaces as outstanding and central to quality of life.

Despite this high level of appreciation, accessibility emerged as a major concern. Respondents highlighted difficulties accessing certain beaches and paths, particularly Skaill Beach, where loose stones, steep gradients and lack of defined access points make it challenging or unsafe for older people, those with mobility impairments, families with buggies and others.

Maintenance issues were also raised in relation to litter, dog fouling, lack of bins and insufficient toilets at popular locations. Many respondents stressed that encouraging use of natural spaces must be accompanied by basic supporting infrastructure.

Views on campervans and motorhomes were mixed but nuanced. A significant number of respondents supported designated areas for campervans as a way to manage impacts, reduce informal overnight parking and protect sensitive sites. Support was strongest where proposals included:

• Toilets, waste disposal and chemical toilet emptying points.
• Modest overnight charges to fund maintenance.
• Clear rules and management.

Overall, the natural environment of Harray and Sandwick is seen as a major strength and defining asset, but one that requires careful stewardship.

Play and Recreation

Play and recreation opportunities are seen as strongly concentrated in Dounby, with recent improvements welcomed, but significant gaps remain in Harray and Sandwick. Respondents consistently call for more local, age-appropriate and inclusive play spaces, rather than relying on a single central facility.

Key strengths

• The new playpark at Dounby School is widely praised and well used.
• Sports facilities, including football pitches, the school sports hall and tennis court, are valued.
• Community events using outdoor spaces, such as tree lighting, are seen as positive uses of shared spaces.

Key concerns

• Very limited play provision in Harray and Sandwick, particularly for younger children.
• Older or secondary play areas in Dounby are described as run-down or under-used.
• Lack of facilities for under-5s, teenagers and informal social play.
• Centralisation of facilities in Dounby is seen as eroding parish identity and accessibility.
• Safety concerns, including traffic speed and walking routes, deter families from accessing facilities.

What People Want to See

• Small-scale play areas linked to parish halls in Harray and Sandwick.
• Better use of existing spaces, such as gardens, the show park and Market Green.
• More natural play, seating and picnic areas.
• Ongoing maintenance and renewal of play equipment.
• Clearer separation of play, sport and cultural provision where appropriate.

Play and recreation opportunities across Harray and Sandwick are perceived as unevenly distributed, with provision strongly concentrated in Dounby. While recent investment in Dounby is widely welcomed and seen as successful, respondents consistently highlight that this centralisation leaves significant gaps in more outlying parts of the parish.

The new playpark at Dounby School is repeatedly identified as a major asset and is clearly well used by local families. Alongside this, respondents value access to sports facilities such as football pitches, the school sports hall and the tennis court, as well as the use of outdoor civic spaces for community events.

However, reliance on a single central hub does not meet the needs of all residents. Families living further from Dounby describe limited local options for everyday, informal play, particularly for younger children.

Looking ahead, respondents expressed clear support for a more distributed approach to play and recreation. Suggestions included modest play areas associated with parish halls in Harray and Sandwick, better use of existing green and civic spaces such as gardens, the show park and Market Green, and increased provision of natural play features, seating and picnic areas.

Facilities and Services

Facilities and services in Harray and Sandwick provide a strong core of essential provision, but respondents feel that the loss of key everyday services and social hubs has significantly weakened community life. While Dounby remains the main service centre for the parishes, its role has been undermined by closures, leading to reduced vibrancy, fewer opportunities to meet locally, and increased reliance on Kirkwall and other centres.

Key strengths

• Supermarket, post office, pharmacy, GP services and fuel provision in Dounby.
• Important local shops such as Isbister’s in Quoyloo.
• Community halls, churches and clubs providing activity and social contact.
• Schools, sports facilities and health services serving the wider parish.

Key concerns

• Closure of the Smithfield Hotel as a pub, café and restaurant.
• Loss of the butcher and reduction in food and hospitality options.
• Lack of cafés or informal meeting spaces across the parishes.
• Decline in Dounby’s role as a lively local hub.
• Very limited local services in Harray.
• Increasing isolation for some groups, particularly older people and young parents.

What People Want to See

• A café, pub or equivalent community hub in Dounby.
• Reopening, repurposing or replacing the Smithfield Hotel.
• Support for remaining local businesses and encouragement of new ones.
• Exploration of community ownership of key buildings or premises.
• Flexible, sustainable models that combine community benefit with private operation.

Survey responses show that residents value the essential services that remain across Harray and Sandwick, but feel strongly that the overall offer has been weakened by a series of closures and missed opportunities. Dounby is widely recognised as the natural hub for the parishes, with a concentration of services including the supermarket, post office, pharmacy, GP services, school and fuel provision.

Smaller local facilities also play an important role. Isbister’s shop in Quoyloo is repeatedly highlighted as a vital service, while community halls, churches and clubs are valued for the activities, lunches, classes and social opportunities they provide.

The closure of the Smithfield Hotel as a functioning pub, café and restaurant is the most commonly cited issue. Respondents describe this as more than the loss of a business; it is seen as the loss of a social heart, an informal meeting place and a driver of footfall for other businesses.

There is exceptionally strong agreement on the importance of a café, pub or equivalent meeting place for community life. Most respondents rate this as extremely important, linking it directly to wellbeing, social connection and inclusion.

Support for community ownership of facilities is widespread. Many respondents express willingness to support or participate in community-led solutions, particularly where these help to secure key assets for the long term.

Local Economy

The local economy in Harray and Sandwick is seen as having solid foundations, particularly in farming, tourism and established local businesses, but respondents feel there is significant unrealised potential. Economic activity is perceived as overly concentrated, limited in range, and constrained by the loss of premises, services and infrastructure that would allow small businesses and local employment to grow.

Key strengths

• Farming, agriculture and land-based businesses.
• Tourism-related employment, including Skara Brae, Skaill, Merkister, Orkney Brewery and the Craft Trail.
• Established local shops, hotels, halls and service businesses.
• A strong sense of community enterprise and willingness to support local businesses.
• Growing levels of home working and self-employment.

Key concerns

• Limited range of local jobs outside farming, tourism and public services.
• Closure of businesses and loss of premises in Dounby.
• Lack of small business units, shared workspaces or start-up accommodation.
• Over-reliance on tourism, with limited year-round opportunities for locals.
• Transport, connectivity and digital infrastructure constraints.
• Underused and neglected buildings detracting from confidence and investment.

What People Want to See

• Small business and start-up units in Dounby and rural locations.
• Shared workspaces, offices and meeting facilities.
• Reuse of underused buildings such as the Smithfield, back road workshops, halls and vacant shops.
• Better support for locally owned businesses and trades.
• Improved transport, digital connectivity and coordinated marketing of local businesses.
• A long-term, community-led economic vision for the area.

Survey responses suggest that the local economy of Harray and Sandwick is viewed as functional but fragile, with residents recognising both its strengths and its limitations. Farming and agriculture are consistently identified as core economic pillars, alongside tourism-related employment linked to Skara Brae, Skaill House, Orkney Brewery, Merkister Hotel, accommodation providers and businesses on the Craft Trail.

Dounby is repeatedly identified as the natural economic centre for the parishes, but many respondents feel it is failing to realise its potential. The closure of businesses such as the butcher and Alison Moore is seen as symbolic of wider decline.

A recurring theme is the lack of suitable premises for small businesses, start-ups and people working locally. Many respondents express strong support for small business units, shared offices or flexible workspaces in Dounby or rural locations.

Transport and connectivity issues are also seen as economic constraints. Limited public transport, dependence on private cars, and variable digital connectivity are all identified as barriers to accessing jobs, running businesses and attracting new activity.

Housing and Community

Housing in Harray and Sandwick is widely seen as one of the most critical issues facing the parishes. Respondents consistently highlight a shortage of affordable and appropriate homes for local people, alongside frustration with planning constraints, second homes and empty properties. There is strong support for proactive planning to enable housing that sustains community life, while concern remains about protecting rural character and choice.

Key strengths

• Some recent housing development in and around Dounby.
• Existing housing stock generally seen as being in good condition.
• Strong sense of community identity and desire to support local families.
• Recognition that Dounby has infrastructure, including school, health services and shops, that can support housing growth.

Key concerns

• Lack of affordable housing for local people, families and key workers.
• Very limited housing development in Sandwick and parts of Harray.
• Planning barriers to building on family land or small-scale rural sites.
• Growth in second homes, holiday lets and empty properties.
• Young people and families being priced out or forced to leave.
• Risk of over-centralisation or poorly designed clusters affecting rural character.

What People Want to See

• More affordable and social housing targeted at local need.
• Serviced plots or small housing clusters identified through the Place Plan.
• Easier planning routes for locals to build on their own land.
• A balanced approach combining village-focused housing and rural options.
• Better use of empty or underused homes and buildings.
• Housing that supports schools, services and long-term community sustainability.

Survey responses make clear that housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing Harray and Sandwick, with strong and often emotive views expressed about affordability, availability and fairness. Many respondents feel that the current housing system does not adequately support local people, particularly young families, key workers and those who have grown up in the area and wish to stay.

Affordability is a dominant concern. Many respondents state that housing costs, whether for purchase or rent, are beyond the reach of local people. The private market is seen as increasingly dominated by retirees, incomers and second-home owners.

Planning constraints are repeatedly cited as a barrier. Respondents express frustration at the difficulty of securing permission to build on family land or small rural sites, even where there is clear local need.

The idea of housing clusters or serviced plots generates broad but nuanced support. Many respondents support identifying areas through the Place Plan where housing clusters or serviced plots would be acceptable, particularly near Dounby or community halls where infrastructure already exists.

Overall, the survey responses point to a strong mandate for the Place Plan to take an active role in shaping housing outcomes. Residents want clearer identification of where housing should go, stronger support for local need, and a planning framework that helps sustain communities rather than seeing them hollowed out over time.

Social Interaction

Social interaction in Harray and Sandwick is generally seen as active and varied, with a strong base of clubs, halls and events supporting community life. However, respondents also highlight gaps in inclusion, accessibility and connection between groups, alongside the loss of informal meeting spaces that help bring people together across ages and backgrounds.

Key strengths

• Wide range of clubs, groups and activities for different ages and interests.
• Active community halls in Harray, Sandwick and Quoyloo.
• Strong programme of events including lunches, bingo, coffee mornings, sport and fitness.
• Good opportunities for children and young people to be involved.
• Dedicated volunteers and hall committees sustaining local activity.

Key concerns

• Lack of a central informal meeting place such as a café or pub.
• Fragmentation, with activities often serving specific groups rather than the whole community.
• Barriers to participation including transport, timing and limited promotion.
• Challenges for incomers or quieter residents in integrating socially.
• Decline of traditional whole-community events.
• Risk of volunteer fatigue and limited involvement from younger generations.

What People Want to See

• A café, pub or social hub to support informal interaction.
• Better communication and coordination of events and activities.
• More inclusive, family-friendly and alcohol-free events.
• Support for integration of newcomers and quieter residents.
• Community transport and accessible timings to widen participation.
• Renewed opportunities for whole-community gatherings.

Survey responses indicate that social interaction across Harray and Sandwick is supported by a strong foundation of community activity. Many respondents describe the community as active and well served by clubs, halls and organised events, with opportunities available for people of different ages and interests.

Community halls are consistently identified as central to this activity. Harray Hall, Sandwick Hall, Quoyloo Old School and the Milestone Church are described as hosting a wide range of events, from regular weekly activities to seasonal gatherings.

Despite this activity, there is a strong sense that social interaction is unevenly experienced. While many people feel well connected, others report feeling excluded or unsure how to engage, particularly those who are new to the area, less confident socially or not already part of established networks.

A recurring theme is the absence of informal, everyday meeting spaces. The lack of a café or pub is repeatedly cited as limiting spontaneous social contact and reducing opportunities for people to meet outside structured activities.

Identity and Belonging

Identity and belonging in Harray and Sandwick are strongly rooted in people, shared activities and local places, but are experienced unevenly across the parishes. While many residents feel a strong sense of community, others — particularly incomers or those less connected to organised groups — find identity harder to define.

Key strengths

• Strong community spirit and neighbourly support.
• Active community halls and events that bring people together.
• Shared identity through schools, sport, agriculture and local traditions.
• Distinctive landscape, coastline, farming heritage and cultural events.
• Well-known local events such as shows, runs, fishing competitions and festivals.

Key concerns

• Identity feels fragmented across a large and dispersed parish area.
• Some residents do not feel a strong sense of belonging, particularly “incomers”.
• Loss or weakening of parish identities over time.
• Under-used community assets that could strengthen identity.
• Over-emphasis on tourism benefits rather than local identity.
• Limited informal spaces for everyday connection.

What People Want to See

• Clearer expression of local identity through signage, storytelling and place-based projects.
• Better use of halls and community spaces to support everyday belonging.
• Events and activities that bring together the whole community, across ages and backgrounds.
• Recognition of farming, nature, heritage and community life as central to identity.
• Balanced approach to tourism that supports rural areas without overwhelming them.
• A welcoming narrative that supports integration of newcomers.

Survey responses indicate that identity and belonging in Harray and Sandwick are closely tied to people, relationships and shared activity rather than to formal boundaries. Many respondents describe the community as caring and supportive, with strong informal networks where people look out for one another.

Events such as agricultural shows, runs and races, fishing competitions, horticultural events and sports fixtures are highlighted as moments when identity is most visible and shared. Respondents also point to the landscape itself — beaches, lochs, farmland, brochs and sunsets — as fundamental to how people connect emotionally to the area.

However, there is also a strong theme of uneven belonging. While many people feel deeply connected, others express uncertainty about what the shared identity of Harray and Sandwick actually is.

A recurring concern is the under-use of local assets that could help strengthen identity. Respondents reference halls, heritage resources, farming history, natural sites and community spaces that could play a bigger role in expressing what makes the area distinctive.

Feeling Safe

Harray and Sandwick are widely perceived as safe places to live in terms of crime and community trust, with strong neighbourly support and people looking out for one another. However, respondents consistently identify road safety, walking routes and traffic behaviour, particularly around Dounby, schools and main roads, as the primary areas where safety could be significantly improved.

Key strengths

• Very low levels of crime and strong community trust.
• People look out for each other and offer help when needed.
• General sense of personal safety within villages and neighbourhoods.
• Drivers are often considerate towards walkers, cyclists and horse riders on rural roads.

Key concerns

• Speeding traffic, particularly through Dounby and on main approach roads.
• Unsafe walking routes to school, especially outside village cores.
• Lack of pavements, footpaths and safe crossing points.
• Poor lighting in some residential and rural areas.
• Sudden speed limit changes, such as 60mph to 30mph, without transition.
• Heavy vehicles and agricultural traffic creating safety concerns.

What People Want to See

• Slower speeds and traffic calming in Dounby and near schools.
• Extended 20mph or 40mph buffer zones approaching villages.
• Improved pavements, footpaths and off-road walking routes.
• Safer and better-marked crossing points.
• Improved street lighting in key locations.
• Safer routes for children and those ineligible for school transport.

Survey responses show a clear distinction between how safe people feel in social terms and how safe they feel when moving around the area. In terms of crime and personal safety, Harray and Sandwick are widely described as very safe places to live.

However, concerns about safety are overwhelmingly focused on roads, traffic and active travel. While walking and cycling within village cores is generally seen as acceptable, many respondents feel that routes outside villages, particularly along main roads, are unsafe.

Dounby emerges as a particular focal point for safety concerns. Respondents repeatedly reference speeding traffic through the village, congestion at peak times and the difficulty of crossing the main road, especially near the school and crossroads.

Across the responses, there is strong support for practical, proportionate safety measures rather than major infrastructure. Suggestions include extended buffer speed limits approaching villages, 20mph zones around schools at key times, better-marked crossings, modest traffic calming, and improved maintenance of verges and footpaths.

Care and Maintenance

Care and maintenance across Harray and Sandwick are seen as mixed. While respondents value the general cleanliness of the area, community pride and the retention of key facilities such as the Dounby recycling site, there are widespread concerns about the condition of roads, verges, drainage and the limited scope of recycling provision.

Key strengths

• General cleanliness and pride in the local environment.
• Community volunteering, including tidy-ups and litter picks.
• Retention of the Dounby recycling facility, which is widely valued.
• Some well-maintained areas, including parts of Dounby and new facilities such as the playpark and Market Green.
• Delayed verge cutting in some areas supporting wildflowers and biodiversity.

Key concerns

• Poor and deteriorating road surfaces, potholes and edge damage.
• Damage to verges from heavy agricultural and tourist vehicles.
• Inconsistent or poorly timed verge cutting affecting safety and biodiversity.
• Limited recycling options at the Dounby facility, particularly cardboard and plastics.
• Dog fouling and lack of bins on walking routes.
• Drainage, flooding and erosion issues on roads, verges and low-lying areas.
• Poorly maintained or silted drainage ditches pushing water onto road surfaces.
• Localised flooding near Skaill, Quoyloo Road, Harray Hall and burn crossings.
• Coastal erosion at Skaill as an ongoing concern linked to wider climate impacts.
• Perception that some maintenance issues are left unaddressed for too long.

What People Want to See

• Improved road maintenance, resurfacing and edge strengthening.
• Better drainage, ditch clearing and flood prevention measures.
• A wider range of recycling options at the Dounby facility.
• More dog waste bins and litter bins, especially on rural walking routes.
• Smarter, safer verge cutting that balances visibility, access and biodiversity.
• Continued support for community clean-ups and local volunteering.
• Clearer responsibility and coordination between agencies.
• Proactive inspection, clearing and maintenance of ditches, burns and drainage infrastructure, with a focus on known flood hotspots and climate resilience.

The Dounby recycling facility emerges as a particularly important asset. Many respondents describe it as extremely useful, especially for gardeners and for managing recycling without travelling to Kirkwall or Stromness. There is strong concern about retaining this facility and recognition that community pressure in the past has helped protect it.

Road condition is the most significant concern raised. Respondents repeatedly describe potholes, poor resurfacing, breaking road edges and rutted verges, particularly on single-track and rural roads.

Drainage and flooding are raised as distinct and growing concerns across the parishes, with many respondents pointing to the same locations flooding repeatedly year after year. Specific problem areas are identified around Skaill, Quoyloo Road, near the Orkney Brewery and quarry access, around Harray Hall, and at burn crossings near Harray Loch.

Overall, drainage is seen not just as a maintenance issue, but as a safety, resilience and climate adaptation priority for the area.

Influence and Sense of Control

Residents’ sense of influence and control in Harray and Sandwick is mixed. While there is respect for the work of the Community Council and other local groups, many respondents feel disconnected from decision-making, unclear about how to raise issues, or unaware of what is happening locally. Communication and visibility, rather than a lack of structures, are the main barriers identified.

Key strengths

• Active Community Council and local associations.
• Strong volunteering culture and willingness to help.
• Recognition that the Community Council is an important link with Orkney Islands Council.
• Growing use of social media and informal channels to share information.
• High engagement with this survey itself, seen as a positive step.

Key concerns

• Many residents do not feel well informed about what is happening locally.
• Lack of clarity about who to contact, and how, to raise issues or influence decisions.
• Inconsistent or fragmented communication across different channels.
• Limited awareness of the role, remit and achievements of the Community Council.
• Perception that local voices are not always listened to by decision-makers.
• Barriers to involvement including time pressures and work commitments.

What People Want to See

• Clear, regular communication about local issues, decisions and opportunities.
• Better visibility of Community Council activity, including minutes and actions.
• Multiple communication channels to reach different audiences.
• Clear signposting of how to get involved, raise concerns or volunteer.
• Local noticeboards and simple, accessible information.
• Continued momentum from this survey and Place Plan process.

Communication emerges as the dominant issue within this theme. Many respondents state that they do not feel there is enough information about what is happening in Harray and Sandwick, while others feel information exists but is difficult to find unless you already know where to look.

Respondents repeatedly call for clearer, more consistent and more accessible communication. Suggestions include regular newsletters, better use of noticeboards, clearer signposting to Community Council minutes, and improved promotion of meetings, consultations and volunteering opportunities.

Despite these concerns, there is strong evidence of goodwill and willingness to participate. Many respondents say they would be happy to help or get involved if they knew how, had the time, or felt their contribution would make a difference.

The survey itself is frequently referenced as a positive example of engagement, with respondents encouraging momentum to be maintained through feedback, updates and visible outcomes.

Final Survey Comments

The additional comments reinforce the overall picture emerging from the survey: Harray and Sandwick are places that people care deeply about, value for their rural character and sense of community, and want to see strengthened rather than fundamentally changed.

A consistent message is to build on what already exists, rather than focusing solely on new initiatives. Respondents repeatedly stress that many positive things already happen in the parishes, through halls, community groups, events and informal neighbourly support, and that these should be supported, resourced and grown.

Protecting rural character and tranquillity is a recurring priority. Respondents emphasise the importance of keeping the parishes rural in feel, maintaining peace, landscape quality and access to nature.

At the same time, there is a strong call to attract and retain young people and families. Respondents recognise that without affordable housing, accessible services and opportunities for social interaction, the long-term sustainability of the parishes is at risk.

Dounby is repeatedly identified as a critical focal point. There is clear support for measures that would encourage people to stop, walk, meet and spend time in Dounby, rather than simply passing through.

Road safety and walkability continue to cut across multiple themes. Speed, deteriorating road surfaces, lack of pavements and poor lighting are repeatedly raised.

Several comments express frustration with perceived distance from decision-making and public bodies. There is a strong sense that communities should have more control, influence and resources to address local priorities directly.

Finally, there is a clear message that community halls remain the backbone of parish life. As other services disappear, halls are increasingly seen as the remaining central points of each parish.

Overall, these comments strengthen the case for a Place Plan that:

• Protects rural character while supporting everyday life.
• Focuses on people, community and place rather than growth for its own sake.
• Prioritises walkability, safety and shared spaces.
• Empowers local decision-making.
• Sustains the social and physical heart of the parishes.