Diving Group events ahead of Freedom of Orkney march

The Royal Navy Northern Diving Group will be holding two displays about their Explosive Ordnance Disposal work during their visit to Orkney this week.

The team will be at the Broad Street carpark in Kirkwall from 13:00 on Thursday July 8

Later the same day, they will be at the Stromness Academy car park from 18:30 to 20:00.

In Stromness, they will be joined by members of the Stromness Royal British Legion pipe band and by bandsmen from the Royal Marines Band Scotland, who will Beat the Retreat.

Both events are open to the public, but folk are asked to wear face coverings (unless medically exempt) and space themselves along the route, maintaining two metres of physical distancing between households, to ensure a safe event for all.

Anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms, however mild, should not attend and should follow current Scottish Government’s FACTS guidance in relation to self-isolating and arranging a COVID-19 PCR test.

The same request will be made of spectators on Friday 9 July when the Northern Diving Group will march through Kirkwall as part of formalities conferring the Freedom of Orkney on the group.

Formalities will begin in Broad Street in Kirkwall at 12:45. There will be a short ceremony at 13:00, led by Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Harvey Johnston.

Following the close of that ceremony, a 24-piece marching band from Royal Marine Band Scotland, normally based at Rosyth, will accompany the sailors on a march from Broad Street, via Castle Street, Junction Road and Shore Street ending at Kirkwall Harbour.

The Council awarded the Freedom of Orkney to the Royal Navy Northern Diving group in May this year, in recognition of their long association with commemorating those lost in the sinking of HMS Royal Oak and in keeping the local community safe through the safe disposal of modern and historic ordnance, including torpedoes and mines.