Latest News

The Council has set up a dedicated web page on the Scottish Government’s new short-term lets licensing regime to try and assist folk through the application process.

The page - www.orkney.gov.uk/slt-licence - contains links to a wealth of information on the Scottish Government legislation, the application process and fees.

After reading the Council’s Guidance you can complete a downloadable form or if you require further information please contact the Short-term Lets Licensing Team at the Council via email or by telephone to 01856873535 extensions 2232 or 2229 and leave a voicemail if officers are not available. An online application form will be ready as soon as possible.

Every early-stage primary school pupil in Orkney is to have the opportunity to access renewable energy education materials following a donation of 30 children’s adventure books on offshore renewable energy by Fred. Olsen-related companies.

As the doors close on the Covid Testing Centre in Kirkwall, Orkney Health and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, has commended the “herculian” effort put in by staff running the facility over the past 2.5 years.

NHS Orkney announced the official closure today, Friday 30 September, prompting tributes to those behind the effort.

The inaugural Islands Forum meeting in Orkney has been hailed as a great example of the 'power of people coming together to meet shared challenges' according to Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan.

A reminder our Roads team are out and about carrying our resurfacing work on the county's roads, including a road closure on Cromwell Road from Monday (3 October) which will have an impact on the No. 9 Kirkwall Town public bus service.

Timothy Ross has been appointed as new Head Teacher of Westray Junior High School.

A start date has yet to be finalised and Tim will continue in his role as Head Teacher of Papa Westray Community School in the interim. 

“I’ve got to know Westray as a community and as a school over the last few years and am very much looking forward to getting started soon. On visits over the last few years, I’ve always felt welcomed by children and staff alike, and this has also been the case at community events such as North Isles Sports. I’m excited by the pride folk take in being from Westray and look forward to becoming part of this and working with all of the children and families of Westray soon.” 

Local community groups and individuals are being invited to work alongside an artistic team as part of the national Remembering Together project aimed at creating collaborative memorial projects with communities around Scotland to reflect on and express the recent pandemic.

Orkney Islands Council is reminding drivers that survey work on the first Churchill Barrier on 6 October is likely to add to journey times for motorists travelling to and from the linked south isles, or the Graemeshall area of Holm.