Christmas trees to be lit up across the county

Kirkwall’s Christmas tree – a gift from Norway -  will be lit up this Saturday (December 4) as part of a series of outdoor tree lighting ceremonies.

As in previous years, the Christmas tree – which will stand on the Kirk Green outside St Magnus Cathedral -  has been gifted by the county of Vestaland in Norway, a new large county incorporating Hordaland which for many years gifted the tree.

A second tree - for inside the Cathedral – has been gifted from the Fjaere Historical Society

During the tree lighting service – which starts at 5.25pm and is being held outdoors to comply with COVID-19 restrictions – the Kirkwall City Pipe Band will play outside the Cathedral, followed by short speeches from Council Convener Harvey Johnston and Norwegian Consul Leslie Burgher, and then a prayer from Reverend Fraser McNaughton.

The Salvation Army will also be there performing Christmas carols.

This weekend will actually see a bumper crop of outdoor tree lightings with ceremonies also taking place in Orphir, Finstown, Dounby, Shapinsay, Flotta, Sanday and Westray.

The Stromness ceremony takes place on Wednesday (December 1).

Council Convener Harvey Johnston said: ““For more than 30 years our Norwegian friends across the North Sea have marked our ties with the generous gift of a Christmas tree. Now more than ever this gesture of friendship and exchange resonates strongly and is very much appreciated.

“The tree will once again be delivered through the generosity of Serco Northlink Ferries and Northwards - and I thank them for their kind help with this.

“2021, like 2020 before it, has been quite extraordinary and I’m sure many of us are entering the festive period looking forward to some time with our friends and family before we enter a new year.

“Community tree lighting ceremonies are a highlight of the festive calendar – bringing together local folk in celebration and reflection. This year I’m afraid we are still restricted in how we can mark such events, but even so, the trees will still be lit and I am sure that sense of celebration will prevail.”

The tree will stand outside the St Magnus Cathedral until just after the New Year.

Full details of times and dates for tree lighting ceremonies are in this week’s Orcadian