Our roads teams are out and about across the county carrying out the current programme of surfacing and patching work.

A service of reflection and thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at St Magnus Cathedral this Sunday evening led by Reverend Fraser Macnaughton, Minister to St Magnus Cathedral.

The service, at 6.30pm, will feature hymns, readings, and reflections from Council Convener Graham Bevan and Vice Lord-Lieutenant Dr Sarah Scarth.

A reminder of the revised uplifts for waste and recycling as a result of the national bank holiday for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday 19 September.

Orkney Islands Council is advising of upcoming road closures in central Kirkwall and Stromness starting next week.

All non-essential Council services and Council buildings – including schools and nurseries - will be closed on Monday 19 September for the national bank holiday for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.

This will also mean a revised waste collection timetable – further details below - and no leisure and culture facilities.

Essential services, such as 24/7 care and some harbour operations, will continue, although the Harbour Office at Scapa will be closed. Day Centres will also close, this includes - West Mainland Day Centre; Gilbertson Day Centre; Lifestyle Service; St Colm’s and Kalisgarth day service.

An update (as at 16:00 on Monday 12 September) for inter-isles air passengers in Orkney on current service disruptions:

An update of road works and impacts on public bus services for the week starting Monday 12 September:

A local ceremony to proclaim King Charles III will take place outside St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on Sunday 11 September at 2.00pm.

Following the sad death of the Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon, her eldest son Charles becomes the new monarch, but that needs to be formalised through what is known as the Proclamation.

As a mark of respect and to honour the period of mourning following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the visit to Hoy and formal opening of Scapa Flow Museum by Sir Chris Hoy and the ‘Hoy on Hoy’ community events will not be going ahead on Saturday 17 September. 

It has been announced by Buckingham Palace that The Queen has died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Councillor Graham Bevan expressed his deepest sympathies to His Majesty the King and The Royal Family.