Latest News

Centuries-old exquisitely crafted weapons owned by Captain James Moodie – known locally for his dramatic murder in Broad Street, Kirkwall - have been gifted to the people of Orkney by his modern-day family and have arrived in the county and into the care of Orkney Islands Council’s Museums service.

The North Isles Landscape Partnership has been highly commended in the Nature of Scotland Awards 2024 for working alongside farmers and other landowners to restore natural habitats for wading birds.  

Three archaeological digs in Orkney supported by the Council – Swandro in Rousay, Blomuir tomb in Holm, and The Cairns in South Ronaldsay – have captured slots in popular UK-wide programmes this winter.

The Sanday shipwreck timbers have been named as one of 5 most amazing archaeological finds in Scotland by ‘Dig It!’, a hub for Scottish archaeology coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has awarded £21,000 to Wessex Archaeology and Dendrochronicle to carry out further research of the Sanday Wreck, an intact section of shipwreck timbers uncovered on Sands o’Erraby earlier this year. The funding will support in-depth analysis of the wreck including dating, reporting and archiving to help shed light on this remarkable discovery. 

Orkney Library & Archive has been awarded £11,000 from the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) to create an interactive Orcadian trail of native flora in the library forecourt. 

Simpson & Brown have been appointed to carry out a quinquennial (five year) survey of St Magnus Cathedral. 

An award winning show celebrating disability and diversity has toured four schools in Orkney, in the third year of a Council partnership with Theatre in Schools Scotland - National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s successful schools touring project.

Originally founded by forward-thinking women to provide opportunities for learning, finding friends and sharing skills, the Scottish Women’s Institute in Orkney is celebrating its centenary year. 

The distinct heritage of Orkney’s many communities is set to benefit from the expertise of the Council’s Museums team, thanks to almost £100,000 of support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.