Latest News

Orkney Islands Council’s Interim Chief Executive, John Mundell, is urging the community to complete their census accurately to help build a reliable picture of our community’s needs.

The Commonwealth Flag will be flown from the Kirkwall Town Hall today (March 14) for Commonwealth Day.

If the past two years has proven anything, it’s how our young students are resilient to change.

Orkney’s 6^th year pupils are preparing for their first and last full, sit-down school exams next month.

Despite the best efforts of the teachers and parents supporting them, they have spent their entire senior phase – S4 to S6 – largely in a state of limbo, uncertain of what may happen from one week as a result of the pandemic.

A Firth Primary schoolboy who had 12 inches chopped from his lion-like mane for charity has raised nearly £1,500 - 25 times his original target!

Thorfinn Leonard, 8, is pleased with his new look thanks to Natalie Armstrong at The Peedie Salon and even more delighted with the total so far.

Thorfinn and his family - Mum, Becky, Dad Sweyn, big brother Finlay and Rocco the dog, want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated, adding that there’s still time if you would like to share a few pennies to the cause – the Little Princess Trust. Here’s the link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thorfinnleonard

Councillors are to be elected for each of the 6 wards of Orkney Islands Council.

A tree-planting event will be held at Happy Valley on Saturday 26 March as part of this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Orkney Islands Council has made the above-named Order under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users during Orkney Islands Council’s works on trees either within or adjacent to the public roads specified in this Order.

The online consultation into potential future options for reducing traffic speeds and improving pedestrian safety in Finstown closes on Monday (21 March) at 9am.

New ticket machines being installed in Council car parks over coming weeks will offer contactless and ‘chip and pin’ card payments.

Orkney senior phase youngsters who are preparing for SQA exams and final assessments are set to benefit from additional funding being made available by Orkney Islands Council.

COVID disruption has meant that this year’s SQA exam diet is the first to go ahead in three years - so Orkney youngsters in S4, 5 and 6 will be sitting exams for the first time.

Additional funds will be used to improve equity and access to study support, with Mainland secondaries and isles Junior High Schools offering a range of strategies.