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Orkney’s special friendship with Norway will be celebrated this Tuesday (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, courtesy of Stagecoach, for official guests from Kirkwall Pierhead to the cemetery at 10:00.

At 12:00 the Tog will set off from the Kirkwall Pierhead to the Market Green, led by members of the Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Norwegian visitors, school children and any members of the public who would like to join in.

Public toilets at St Magnus Lane in Kirkwall and Mull Head Heritage Centre in Deerness have reopened this weekend.

Both the facilities, owned and run by Orkney Islands Council, are open 24 hours a day, every day.

The Mull Head toilets were closed throughout the pandemic as resources couldn’t meet the enhanced cleaning required.

Orkney Islands Council is appealing to members of the public to keep clear of the road closure at Highland Park and observe safety barriers in place.

Orkney voters have determined who they wish to represent them within Orkney Islands Council for the next five years.

There will be a number of new faces joining returning councillors to the chamber representing Orkney’s six wards.

The wards and councillors are:

The final ward results are in for Orkney – with the announcement of the Kirkwall East ward results.

The four councillors elected for the area are John Ross Scott, Gwenda Shearer, Steven Heddle and David Dawson.

A total of 1,694  first priority votes were cast in the ward with John Ross Scott taking 476 of these votes, Steven Heddle taking 428, Gwenda Shearer taking 413, and David Dawson taking 285.

It’s a trio of new faces to represent the East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray ward – with all former councillors having stood down.

They are Raymie Peace, Gillian Skuse and James Moar.

A total of 1,344  first priority votes were cast in the ward with Raymie Peace taking 642 of these votes, Gillian Skuse taking 278, and James Moar taking 111.

Three councillors have been elected to represent the North Isles for the next five years.

They are Heather Woodbridge, Stephen Clackson and Melissa Thomson.

A total of 1,029  first priority votes were cast in the ward with Heather Woodbridge taking 443 of these votes, Stephen Clackson taking 256, and Melissa Thomson taking 204.

The first results are in for the Orkney Islands Council elections.

The three seats for Stromness and South Isles ward have now been announced at the Pickaquoy Centre.

James Stockan, Graham Bevan and Lindsay Hall have been elected as councillors.