Northern Diving Group to visit county to receive Freedom of Orkney

The Royal Navy Northern Diving Group will march through Kirkwall on July 9 as part of formalities conferring the Freedom of Orkney on the organisation.

Formalities will begin in Broad Street in Kirkwall at 12:45. There will be a short ceremony at 1pm, led by Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Harvey Johnston.

Following the close of that ceremony, a 20-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.

Spectators are welcome but will be required to wear face coverings (unless medially 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.

Convener Harvey Johnston said: “We very much look forward to being able to formally mark the bestowal of the Freedom of Orkney on the Northern Diving Group who’ve served our community and remembrance events in Scapa Flow for so many years.”

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney community safe through the safe disposal of modern and historic ordnance, including torpedoes and mines.