Latest News

St Magnus Cathedral has been shortlisted within the tourism category of the National Church Awards 2022 for its warm welcome to all.

The awards by the National Churches Trust recognise churches that make a particular effort to welcome a wide variety of users and visitors from near and far and share in their history and heritage.

Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) are holding an information session on Monday evening (26 September) as they look to recruit volunteer panel members across Scotland (including Orkney) to help support our most vulnerable infants, children and young people.

Orkney users of the NEC (National Entitlement Card) who receive Mainland Scotland (and/or Shetland) ferry travel vouchers are being asked to help shape improvements to the service.

Transport Scotland are looking at improvements to the concession travel service that could offer a digital version of the NEC paper ferry vouchers, which could be electronically stored on NEC smartcards, like the bus pass is.

To ensure that any potential changes meet folk’s needs, they want to speak to users to best inform any future improvements to the service and allow people the opportunity to help shape the changes.

If you are an Orkney resident and NEC cardholder over 60 years old; or living with disability or aged between 16 and 18 years then Transport Scotland wants to hear from you at an event on Wednesday 21 September between 13:00 - 14:00 in the Kirkwall & St Ola Town Hall and Community Centre, Meeting Room 3.

If you are unable to attend but would like to provide feedback, or you have any questions please email saltirecard@gov.scot or call Keli Donnelly on 07826903834.

This does not involve Orkney’s internal concessionary travel on the inter-isles ferries – only ferry vouchers in relation to travel to Mainland Scotland (and/or Shetland).

Members attending today’s OIC Policy and Resources Committee meeting stood for one minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II just after 9.30am before undertaking the business before them.

After a 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel, Windsor yesterday, Monday, following a national state funeral.

Directions for the registration service

In accordance with sections 14(1A)(b) and 23(1A)(b) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (as amended by the Coronavirus
(Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022), and with the approval of the Registrar General, the District Registrar for the registration district of Orkney Islands
directs as follows, with effect from 24 September 2022.

Our roads teams are out and about across the county carrying out the current programme of surfacing and patching work.

A service of reflection and thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at St Magnus Cathedral this Sunday evening led by Reverend Fraser Macnaughton, Minister to St Magnus Cathedral.

The service, at 6.30pm, will feature hymns, readings, and reflections from Council Convener Graham Bevan and Vice Lord-Lieutenant Dr Sarah Scarth.

A reminder of the revised uplifts for waste and recycling as a result of the national bank holiday for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral on Monday 19 September.

Orkney Islands Council is advising of upcoming road closures in central Kirkwall and Stromness starting next week.

All non-essential Council services and Council buildings – including schools and nurseries - will be closed on Monday 19 September for the national bank holiday for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral.

This will also mean a revised waste collection timetable – further details below - and no leisure and culture facilities.

Essential services, such as 24/7 care and some harbour operations, will continue, although the Harbour Office at Scapa will be closed. Day Centres will also close, this includes - West Mainland Day Centre; Gilbertson Day Centre; Lifestyle Service; St Colm’s and Kalisgarth day service.