Orkney Health and Care is highlighting a national campaign running til the end of March aimed at encouraging people who care for others to seek the support that will help them look after themselves too.

A former Council employee helped a mother and her two small children evacuate war-torn Ukraine.

After around 1,500 miles and a 12 hour wait at the Ukraine Border Control, Ian Ward, his wife Svetlana and the others have made it out of the country.

Ian and his wife are currently in Hamburg in Germany, but he hopes they will be able to make it to the UK soon.

Flagstone repairs in the centre of Stromness are continuing, with the road closures in place on Alfred Street moving towards Mayburn Court next week.

Orkney Islands Council’s Harbour Authority bid a fond farewell to the tug Einar at the weekend (13 March) after 33 years’ service.

She has been sold to a company in Tromsø, Norway and the transfer of ownership will take place in Aberdeen.

The Einar’s sister ship, Erlend, is also on the market and expressions of interest have been made.

The Council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement this week that face masks will still be required to be worn on public transport and most indoor public settings until at least early April.

The legal requirement to wear facemasks had been expected to be dropped on March 21 – but the rising number of COVID cases across Scotland has led to the delay.