Latest News

Housing measures introduced to tackle an outbreak of bird flu will be lifted on Monday 2 May, the UK Government has confirmed.

However, the mandatory biosecurity measures will remain in place for all birds.

Anyone intending to allow their birds outside on or after 2 May must take action to prepare the outside areas.

Would you like to feel like a real-life Cinderella fairy godmother?

The Council’s Community Learning and Development Team are hoping to wave a magic wand and make school prom night a reality for everyone in Orkney and they are appealing for your help.

Do you have a suitable dress, suit, shirt, tie, shoes and accessories that you would be willing to donate to ensure everyone can go to the ball and not miss out – and potentially save any pre-loved clothes from becoming a waste product, doing your bit for the environment!

With a week to go until Orkney goes to the polls to vote for the new cohort of OIC Elected Members, the Council’s Elections Team has issued some key reminders

Two Stronsay Junior High School pupils are pulling out all the stops – and a 27kg log - to help raise funds for repair work to a valuable lifesaving resource on the island - the community’s First Responder antenna.

Cooke Aquaculture has already made a donation towards the repair bill, and now Howard, P7, and Zander McQuaid, P5, want to attempt a five-mile log pull to raise £500 and cover the outstanding amount.

The sun shone for the pupils and staff at Orphir Community School during their “bag the bruck” clean up on Thursday (21 April).

Primary 1-7 picked up six full bags of rubbish from the school grounds, around the Orphir Kirk and the verges between the 30mph signs in the village.

An artwork inspired by George Mackay Brown has been installed on a trail celebrating the life and work of one of Scotland’s most prominent writers, in what has been dubbed ‘George’s end of toon’.

Members of the Orkney Wheeled Sports Club have praised the “transformation” of the Kirkwall Skatepark thanks to recently completed refurbishment works.

Partnership working between Orkney Islands Council and the Club led to the enhancements and improvement measures being carried out.

OIC Leisure and Culture Service Manager, Garry Burton, said: “We are delighted with the works carried out by the original contractor for the park, Heddle Construction Ltd. The new elements will be something different for existing users, but also attract people that might not have used the park before.

The hopes and dreams of an Orkney couple – Anna and Reuben Johnston - are turning into reality as their aspiration for building a retreat for residents affected by cancer or Multiple Sclerosis moves a step forward.

A fantastic community-wide effort has gone into reaching this stage whereby the design and plans will soon be submitted for planning approval.

It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for Anna and Reuben who came up with the idea of “The Peedie Retreat” – a home from home for those diagnosed and their families.

This is Anna and Reuben’s story.

Home First in Orkney has been described as a “leading” and “game-changing” new care model which supports people to live more independently and for longer in their own homes – which is what most people say they want.

Morven Gemmill, from NHS Orkney, said: “When I looked at the Home First evaluation, what the team in Orkney has done and are doing is leading across Scotland. There was shock at just how good the outcomes were for people that were severely frail – for 85 per cent of people who were severely frail to have their occupational performances outcomes improved is really staggering and a phenomenal achievement. I would like to congratulate the teams.”

Home First prevented four people in the county from having to leave their home to go into residential care.

An update on road works around the county, including impact on public bus services.