News - Leisure and Culture
Latest news
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23 June 2026
It's Game On as the 2026 Summer of Sport launches in Orkney
This summer, inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, communities across Scotland are being encouraged to embrace sport and physical activity as part of a wider £20 million Scottish Government investment.
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17 June 2026
Picky Centre gearing up for major equipment replacement.
Major works are underway at The Pickaquoy Centre and are due to continue throughout July and August, with repairs and replacement of the equipment and plant damaged by a flood earlier this year.
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21 May 2026
19 Orkney athletes to benefit from latest round of ATAS funding
"Flying to Glasgow once or twice a month isn't cheap," says Rosa Leonard - one of 19 Orkney athletes to benefit from the latest round of Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) funding.
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27 April 2026
Poet Laureate to visit Orkney as part of UK library tour
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will visit Orkney later this spring as part of his nationwide Laureate’s Library Tour, with Orkney Library & Archive being the final stop for the 2026 schedule.
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27 March 2026
Picky disruption to continue
A major programme of repairs is required to the plant room at The Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall – meaning the facilities that are currently closed in the Centre are unlikely to open fully before the…
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10 March 2026
Orkney’s 5th Parasport Festival
There were smiles all round as a group of children and young people tried a variety of sports during Orkney’s 5th Parasport Festival last week.
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20 February 2026
Orkney's Fifth Parasport Festival registration is open
Registration for the popular event is now open!
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16 February 2026
Pickaquoy Centre facilities closure - update
Part of the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall is set to remain closed to users until at least the end of March following a significant flooding incident in the plant room of the swimming pool.
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9 February 2026
Orkney Islands Council announces Major Upgrade for Birsay Campsite
Birsay Campsite is set to undergo a significant upgrade after the Council’s Sport and Leisure Service successfully secured over £900k in funding.
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6 February 2026
Extended opening hours at Stromness Swimming Pool during Pickaquoy Centre pool closure
Stromness Swimming Pool is extending its opening hours and adding extra sessions to support the community whilst facilities at the Pickaquoy Centre remain closed for essential repairs.
