Latest News

Orkney Ferries fares are to remain unchanged til the spring of 2024 – with the exception of the multi journey books of tickets.

The status quo is in line with the Scottish Government’s freeze on external ferry fares to the Northern Isles announced on Wednesday 28 June, by the Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop.

We are looking for all the “Lucy’s” to have led the Norwegian Tree Lighting procession at St Magnus Cathedral between 1997 and 2022.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the procession in Orkney and it is planned to put on a special event to commemorate the occasion.

What do the words dilder, fleg, claa, deeskit, blide, rookel, rive and snirl have in common?

Most folk in Orkney will know that they are examples of Orkney dialect but if you would like an insight into the dialect and the Orkney Norn language, then a series of talks are being held by Dr Tom Rendall in the exhibition room at the Orkney Museum during July and August.

The Papay community has joined forces with a local artist to create an animated short film that raises awareness of worldwide environmental issues that are also impacting closer to home.

The first screening of the 12-minute film “Peedie Island” went ahead at the Papay School on Friday (23 June) when around 30 folk, including school children, gathered together to watch the end result.

A summary of road works underway or soon to start in the county - from 3 July 2023.

A reminder there are road closures this Sunday, 2 July, affecting central Kirkwall including Albert St, Broad St, Bridge St and Castle St, for the St Magnus Marathon. 

There’s no time for any “Summertime Blues” as the OIC Sport & Leisure Team launches its packed programme of activities for the summer months – and even better, some of them are free!

If you are looking for something to do “All Summer Long”, then take a spy at our booklet here - Sports and Leisure (orkney.gov.uk)

Orkney Islands Council is seeking views on its enforcement policy - which sets out its approach to how it enforces some of the laws it is responsible for - for example in environmental health, trading standards and animal welfare.

With the support of the OIC’s Licensing team, a longheld dream to run a hostel and campsite business is continuing.

Papdale Primary pupils are polite and proud of their school with good staff relationships underpinning a supportive learning climate, a recent inspection has found.

Learning, teaching and assessment and raising attainment and achievement was rated as “good”, by HM Inspectors of Education with leadership of change and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion said to be “satisfactory”.