Orkney Islands Council has today (9 May 2023) signed an agreement with the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation - or NORA.

NORA’s focus is on making the North Atlantic a strong and dynamic part of the Nordic region, sustainable economic development and cross-border collaboration between the private sector and research and development bodies, extending to Canada and Scotland.

“Fun, fantastic, awesome and amazing” – words used by the two young Orkney girls to sum up the official naming ceremony of their namesake vessel Freyja of Scapa.

The county’s third tug received a traditional ‘champagne’ blessing at Scapa Pier on Monday (15 May) by five-year-old Freyja Hazel Seatter, from Orphir, and Freya Evans, 9, of Tankerness.

Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee and local minister, David Dawson performed the religious blessing for the onward safe passage of the vessel and all who sail on Freyja of Scapa.

The Orkney Museum is playing host to some of the Ness of Brodgar’s finest artefacts this summer.

Most of those selected formed part of last year’s World of Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum and are on display together in Orkney for the first time.

The programme for Orkney's first Carers Conference, happening this Thursday 18 May, has been finalised.

Orkney’s special friendship with Norway will be celebrated this Wednesday (17 May) when the annual Norwegian Constitution Day takes place.

The day will begin at 10:30 with a Remembrance service at the Norwegian war graves in St Olaf's Cemetery. Transport will be provided for official guests from Kirkwall Pierhead to the cemetery at 10:00.