Gift of Christmas tree from Norway arrives

A special festive gift for the Orkney community has arrived in the county overnight. 

The live Christmas tree is a traditional gift from Vestland in Norway – the county formed by the merger of Sogn og Fjordane and Hordaland. 

It arrived at Hatston Pier late yesterday evening (28 November) after being transported to Aberdeen, courtesy of the Norwegians – with onward transport to Kirkwall kind courtesy of NorthLink Ferries and Northwards. 

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

The tree lighting ceremony tomorrow (Saturday 30 November) will be officiated by Convener Graham Bevan, with guest speaker His Excellency Tore Hattrem, Norwegian Ambassador to the UK.  

A second tree - for inside the Cathedral – has been gifted from the town of Grimstad’s Fjaere Kirke. 

The Kirkwall City Pipe Band is due to start playing outside the Cathedral at 4.45pm, followed by the St Lucy procession at 5.00pm. A service will then take place inside the Cathedral, following which the tree outside will be lit at 6.10pm.  

For the full list of tree lighting events head over to: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/latest-news/step-into-christmas-with-orkney-s-tree-lighting-festivities/ 

Councillor Bevan said: “For many years our Norwegian friends across the North Sea have marked our ties with the generous gift of a Christmas tree. This gesture of friendship and exchange resonates strongly and is very much appreciated.”