Latest News

Orkney Island Council and Crown Estate Scotland have today (11 April) unveiled further details of a ground-breaking project aimed at giving Orkney islanders greater say in decisions about the use of the seabed around them.

The arrangement involves both organisations working closely to evaluate new applications for agreements on the seabed surrounding Orkney, ensuring key decisions are informed by the priorities of those who live and work nearby.

A number of ex-Council vehicles and plant are offered for sale this month.

Vehicles include a Mercedes Econic RCV SV59 ZPK, Iveco Eurotrakker Gritter SV05FGE, Iveco Trakker Gritter – ST12 OTK, Bomag Roller – GN06 FBO, Iveco EuroTrakker SY53 EWY, Mercedes Axor Gritter AY06EJE and a Mercedes Axor Gritter WR11 NXU.

Council Convener Graham Bevan will cut the ribbon to officially open the Papdale East Community Park in Kirkwall on Friday 21 April.

The community are invited along to celebrate the occasion from 12noon until 4.30pm with speeches, guided walks, a treasure hunt and light refreshments available.

An open day is being held at Eday London Airport on Wednesday 19 April for island residents to get a behind-the-scenes insight into the role of an airfield attendant.

The Council is looking to recruit relief staff to bolster the core airfield team.

You could take off with a new career while also playing an important community role and reducing the likelihood of flight cancellations due to a lack of available staff.

A team of S3 students from Stromness Academy has secured a grant of £3,000 for Orkney Rape & Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS) through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

The group – made up of Alida, Erin, Eden, Sofia and Keryn – compiled a presentation that detailed information about how rape and sexual violence against women concerns them and how ORSAS is working to both prevent these offences and support those who have been affected in Orkney.

Kinship carers in Orkney are being invited to get together for a “cuppa and chat” at the Storehouse Restaurant, Kirkwall, on Tuesday 18 April from 1-3pm.

The “Real Talk” informal gathering is a chance for kinship carers - also known as family and friends’ carers – to connect in a safe, peer led environment, to offer support and friendship, and to share their experiences.

A roundup of works underway or soon to start around Orkney, for the week starting Monday 10 April:

Travelling Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in a bus, will arrive in Orkney this April, with the exhibition To avoid falling apart by Emmie McLuskey and Janice Parker. This two-person art exhibition explores and illuminates our human capacity for mutuality, connection and interdependence through movement, language, and film.

We have some information relating to our amenity sites and kerbside collections on Easter Monday.

There will be no disruptions to our kerbside collections on Monday for residential and commercial customers – they will run as normal.

A further 175 Council cost of living £200 payments are arriving in folk’s bank accounts this week.

We are continuing to receive applications and would urge anyone who has not done so yet to see if they are eligible – as the closing date of 30 April is fast approaching.