Latest News
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Applications open for 2025–26 VACMA Awards
The second round of funding is open to applications for the 2025–26 Visual Artists and Craft Makers (VACMA) Awards, offering support for Orkney-based artists to develop new directions in their practice and deepen their skills.
15 December 2025
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St Magnus Cathedral’s organ due to undergo major refurbishment
A tender document has been published for the major refurbishment of the organ at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
15 December 2025
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UHI Orkney secures funding for new state of the art laboratory
Plans have been approved by Orkney Islands Council for the Archaeology Institute at UHI Orkney to establish a new environmental archaeology laboratory.
The Council’s Policy and Resources committee approved a plan for the redevelopment of existing UHI Orkney assets into a state-of-the-art facility known as the Archaeology and the Environment Science (AEonS) facility – one of only two in the UK.
12 December 2025
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Sanday Wreck nominated for Rescue project of the year
The Sanday Shipwreck has been nominated for the Rescue Project of the year at the Current Archaeology Awards. This nomination follows on from the Wreck being named one of the top archaeological finds in 2024 by ‘Dig It!’, a hub for Scottish archaeology coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
2 December 2025
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Exhibition Celebrating Life and Legacy of Pioneering Orcadian Dance Teacher Florrie Sinclair Opens at Orkney Museum
A free exhibition honouring the remarkable life of the late Florrie Sinclair, a pioneering dance instructor whose influence spanned from Orkney to Singapore, will open at the Orkney Museum, Kirkwall, on Thursday 6 November 2025.
23 October 2025
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Local Artist Jennifer Austin Opens 'The Returning Tide' Exhibition at Orkney Museum
A new exhibition featuring recent paintings by local artist Jennifer Austin opens next Saturday at the Orkney Museum.
23 September 2025
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Council’s Culture Fund opens for 2026-27 projects
Orkney Islands Council is inviting applications for its Culture Fund – a scheme aimed at supporting cultural activity in Orkney.
30 July 2025
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Sanday Shipwreck identity revealed
All available evidence points to the vessel having been 17th century warship and survivor of sieges, HMS Hind, before becoming mighty Arctic whaling vessel Earl Chatham.
23 July 2025
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Royal Oak sword returns to Orkney in relay around the world
A dazzling silver sword, recovered from the wreck of the tragic HMS Royal Oak in the years following the disaster, has been returned to Orkney from Canada with the help of naval officers and museums professionals from around the world.
23 July 2025
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'A playful take on islandness’ shines through in Council public arts showcase
A cultural feast of public art supported by Orkney Islands Council awaits locals and visitors alike during the 2025 Orkney International Island Games.
4 July 2025