Orkney Norway Links Strengthened at Digital Signing

Historical links between Orkney and Norway have been reaffirmed with the digital resigning of the twinning agreement between Orkney and Vestland county.

First signed on 13 June 1983, a twinning agreement has been in place for nearly 40 years - with both councils reaffirming their commitment to the agreement at meetings earlier this year.

A report on how the agreement can be further expanded to explore co-operation on sustainable communities, renewable projects, sustainable tourism and other topics of mutual interest  will be developed and presented to the new council for consideration later this year.

The initial agreement was with Hordaland and has now been signed with the County of Vestland which was created in 2020 when the former counties of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane merged.

Orkney and Norway's longstanding relationship dates back many centuries to when the islands were populated by Norwegians in the late 700s.

Every Christmas a tree is delivered to Orkney as a gift from the region - with a delegation from Hordaland visiting as part of this every December as is possible.

Council Convener Councillor Harvey Johnston, in his last civic engagement before he steps down from the role after next week's elections, said: "Orkney has a long historical association with Norway -  Norwegians have been coming west over sea to Orkney for over thirteen hundred years since before the days of King Harrald Harfagri - it was he who realised the strategic significance of Orkney and made it the centre for Norse domination of much of Britain and Ireland.

“The Norse language was spoken in Orkney for one thousand out of the last thirteen hundred years.  Orkney has been part of Norway for longer than it has been part of Scotland.  Our culture, our dialect, and all our place names are Norse.  I look out of my window from home and see hills called Vestafiold and Hinderafiold.  I see farms called Kirkness and Seatter.

“Orkney is unquestionably the most Norse thinking, Norse feeling, Norse smelling place outside Norway.

"There have been many events, many visits and student exchanges in both directions over the years since the first signing of the original twinning agreement with Hordaland in 1983. I thank the Orkney Friendship Association for their work over the years assisting and promoting these old ties.

"We have now reaffirmed these arrangements with the new Vestland Fylkeskommune.

"Through these cultural, historical and educational links we look to assist our young people to taste, to learn and to enjoy what each of us has to offer.  We also look ahead, we look forward in realisation of our geographical and political situation, in a post Brexit world.  We have much in common, we can learn much from each other and we can work together to our mutual benefit in education, in research, in transport and in many kinds of business. 

"We will now look to use the old ties as a foundation to build an even stronger bond in the future between Orkney and Vestland.

Leader of Vestland County Council, County Mayor Askeland, said: "There are strong links between us. We are neighbours ad we share history. There is also something in the landscapes, the people and the culture which have similarities which connect us.

"Both the Orcadians and the Vestlendings have something in common in the feeling of being proud and bound to the landscape we live in.

"Vestland Fylkeskommune is very happy to continue and further develop this friendship and the agreement with Orkney Islands Council. We thank you for many shared moments and experiences during these years - many of them musical and cultural highlights. But maybe most important - the meetings between people."

The full text of the agreement reads:

Based on long historical links, Hordaland fylkeskommune and Orkney Islands Council signed a friendship agreement on 13th of June 1983. This was confirmed at the 20th anniversary of the agreement in 2003. Following the Norwegian regional reorganisation in 2020, Hordaland is part of Vestland County. Vestland fylkeskommune is happy to continue and further develop this friendship and the agreement.

Vestland fylkeskommune and Orkney Islands Council, acknowledging the success and mutual benefits of their resolution on 13th of June 1983 to establish a twinning arrangement, further resolve to continue to honour and promote that arrangement for all these purposes:

• to maintain friendly relations with each other
• to develop further mutual understanding and respect between the people of Vestland and the people of Orkney
• to encourage and assist youth and adult organisations and groups, and individuals, to exchange visits, and so to develop mutual understanding and cultural relations, and build upon this firm foundation for greater understanding, respect and friendship between the people of Vestland and the people of Orkney, for all time coming.