Latest News

As the doors close on the Covid Testing Centre in Kirkwall, Orkney Health and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, has commended the “herculian” effort put in by staff running the facility over the past 2.5 years.

NHS Orkney announced the official closure today, Friday 30 September, prompting tributes to those behind the effort.

The inaugural Islands Forum meeting in Orkney has been hailed as a great example of the 'power of people coming together to meet shared challenges' according to Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan.

A reminder our Roads team are out and about carrying our resurfacing work on the county's roads, including a road closure on Cromwell Road from Monday (3 October) which will have an impact on the No. 9 Kirkwall Town public bus service.

Timothy Ross has been appointed as new Head Teacher of Westray Junior High School.

A start date has yet to be finalised and Tim will continue in his role as Head Teacher of Papa Westray Community School in the interim. 

“I’ve got to know Westray as a community and as a school over the last few years and am very much looking forward to getting started soon. On visits over the last few years, I’ve always felt welcomed by children and staff alike, and this has also been the case at community events such as North Isles Sports. I’m excited by the pride folk take in being from Westray and look forward to becoming part of this and working with all of the children and families of Westray soon.” 

Local community groups and individuals are being invited to work alongside an artistic team as part of the national Remembering Together project aimed at creating collaborative memorial projects with communities around Scotland to reflect on and express the recent pandemic.

Orkney Islands Council is reminding drivers that survey work on the first Churchill Barrier on 6 October is likely to add to journey times for motorists travelling to and from the linked south isles, or the Graemeshall area of Holm.

Kirkwall’s coastal flood protection barriers will be deployed on 7 October, as part of the Council's routine winter preparations, with impacts on shorefront car parks and pedestrian access.

Local visual artists and craft makers are invited to apply for a VACMA bursary of up to £750 for their creative development, in what is now the ninth round for the scheme in Orkney.

Folk in Orkney are being invited to come on board and visit “Bud” Poppyscotland’s travelling museum during its visit to the county.

Bud will be open to community groups and the public on Friday 30 September from 6pm – 9pm, Sat 1 October and Sun 2 Oct 9am – 4pm at Kirkwall’s Great Western Road car park.

Bud will be visiting schools during week days.

Like many other clubs throughout the county, the Orkney Fencing Club is run entirely by a dwindling handful of volunteers.

To ensure its ongoing success, they are appealing for others to get involved.

Moya Nelson is the backbone of the club and currently has responsibility as chair, armourer and lead coach.