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Orkney Islands Council is advising that applications are now open for assistance towards the cost of supporting young people to continue their studies.

There are two types of grants available through the Council:

You could be forgiven for thinking you have landed in an Asian country if out and about on Westray these days -thanks to the long-awaited arrival of a couple of brand new bespoke tri-shaws – Fattie Cuttie and Fitty Fitty Bang Bang!

Named following a poll on the island, the three-wheeled semi-electric cycles are getting a regular outing while the “pilots” (the person cycling the bike) become competent in using them before taking out passengers.

Lots of Council staff have already been out and about cycling as part of the Cancer Challenge fundraiser – and there’s all the more reason for others to join in on Thursday 4 August - Cycle to Work Day!

It’s the cycle scheme’s 10^th birthday and it’s been a massive success in getting thousands of commuters across the nation to make the switch to cycling to work.

Given Dounby Show day is a local holiday, it means that Hatston, Bossack and Garson Household and Waste Recycling Centres and the St Margaret’s Hope and Cursiter Recycling Centres will be closed on Thursday 11 August.

They will be open as normal on Friday 12 August.  Kerbside collections will be carried out as normal.

The Cathedral welcomed the 100,000^th person since the new vestibule was opened on 1 April earlier this year.

Jacqueline Noguera is from the Philippines, and she is one of the crew members off the cruise ship MSC Poesia, which is visiting Orkney today, 28 July.

Visitor Services Assistant Ross Flett was on hand to present Jacqueline with a small bag of Orkney goodies to mark the occasion.

The Council is reminding the Orkney public that evening bus services are now serving in the East Mainland, West Mainland and Kirkwall and Orphir areas on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Council’s Library team is helping pilot an initiative aimed at helping more people tap into ‘Near Me’ for their online health-related appointments, through their local library.

Orkney continues to punch above its weight when it comes to Team Scotland and the Commonwealth Games.

Local weightlifter, Ross Sinclair, has been announced as one of the Achieve Programme participants for the Birmingham 2022 Games from 28 July-8 August.

Ross, 20, is hoping to gain some weighty experience from the programme, which began in 2010 and aims to propel athletes and coaches from diverse backgrounds onto sporting success by preparing them for participation in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Commonwealth Games and other major sports events.

Competing for Team Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Games for the first time is a dream come true for Orkney athlete Sarah MacPhail. 

The 24-year-old from Kirkwall will be part of Team Scotland’s netball contingent competing at the Games in Birmingham’s NEC on 30 and 31 July and 2, 3 and 4 of August.

“This is my first Commonwealth Games, and I am so excited and can't wait to get started. To compete for Scotland within netball and being a part of the greater Team Scotland at the Games is a dream come true. I hope to take everything in and enjoy the moment. I hope that we inspire and continue to celebrate netball within the country as a result – and it would be great to match our world ranking of 8th.”

Orkney athlete Taylah Spence will be sprinting to ensure she gets to the church on time for her big day on Saturday – then just 48 hours later is setting off to compete for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham!

What a whirlwind time for the 23-year-old from Dounby, but she is taking it all in her stride.

“I’m not nervous for either actually, just very excited and feeling so incredibly grateful,” the midwife said. “I’m not going to lie, it’s crazy busy with working full time, training and trying to get organised for the wedding but it’s not a bad situation to be in, I wouldn’t change it!”