Latest News

This Challenge Poverty Week, Orkney’s Child Poverty Task Force is asking the community to reflect on what being poor really means to local families as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and actions we can all take to help reduce stigma and bring about change.

Orkney Islands Council is advising that work to repair flagstones on Bridge and Albert Streets in Kirkwall is progressing well, with Bridge Street and the section of Albert Street up to Laing Street now re-opened.

Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out road patching and resurfacing works across Orkney over coming months.

It’s hard to believe that we are at this time of year again, but we are reminding folk that the Council’s Waste and Recycling Centres will be moving to the winter opening hours on Friday 1 October 2021 until 30 April 2022.

If you are planning a visit to any of our sites please check when they open and close before setting off.

More than 800 children and young people throughout Orkney have benefited from free activities as part of the Get into Summer national campaign.

Thanks to the efforts of the Council’s Active Schools team, alongside seasonal staff, a range of free fun “come and try” sports and activities were offered over six weeks during the summer holidays.

Children and staff are settling in well at the new Council-run Willow Tree Nursery, with families sharing their positive experiences.

The new facility opened its doors for children from six months to three years last month (August) addressing some of the county’s childcare needs.

Orkney people are being invited to walk through ‘Islands Deal’ proposals for future management of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (WHS) to help ensure developments strengthen the sense of connection locals have with the wonders left behind by past islanders and protect them for future generations.

 Orkney Islands Council is inviting tenders for much anticipated road surfacing repair works in Finstown.

The Council is seeking tenders to provide the consultancy services to oversee the design and build of a third new tug – Vale of Scapa - for the Orkney Harbour Authority.

In 2020 the Harbour Authority took delivery of two new 32m vessels – Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa - following the award of a successful design and build contract with a shipyard in Turkey. This was undertaken with the assistance and input at all stages from a suitably qualified and experienced contractor, similar to the details contained within the specification on the Public Contracts Scotland website and invitation to quote documentation.

The Council confirmed that there were a small number of positive cases of COVID-19 on board two cruise liners visiting Kirkwall on Monday 20 September.

These included four passengers on board the Marella Explorer 2 at anchor in Kirkwall, and one passenger from the Celebrity Silhouette, which called alongside Hatston Pier.