An artists-writer duo have been appointed to take forward a public art project based in Stromness to celebrate the life, work and character of much-loved Orkney writer George Mackay Brown.

Contractors are not the only ones who have been hard at work on the redevelopment of the Scapa Flow Museum - local pupils from North Walls Community School have been undergoing training with a range of professionals to help them fulfil the role of Junior Curators at the Museum when it reopens.

It’s the season of goodwill and that is certainly being felt by the Kirkwall Grammar School’s partner school in Pakistan thanks to fundraising efforts in Orkney.

Kirkwall’s Christmas tree – a gift from Norway -  will be lit up this Saturday (December 4) as part of a series of outdoor tree lighting ceremonies.

As in previous years, the Christmas tree – which will stand on the Kirk Green outside St Magnus Cathedral -  has been gifted by the county of Vestaland in Norway, a new large county incorporating Hordaland which for many years gifted the tree.

Garson Recycling Centre will be closed from Friday 3 December to Monday 6 December inclusive due to operational issues.

St Magnus Cathedral was recently named in Europe’s top 100 Cathedrals – and while it may be hard to believe, one of Orkney’s most revered historical treasures just became a little bit more magnificent!

If you are lucky enough to be able to take a wander through St Magnus Cathedral, then you will be in for a lovely surprise. For the temporary screen inside the main entrance is now down, revealing the most wonderful new wooden vestibule.

Inspirational, innovative, life-changing – just a few of the words used to describe Young Enterprise Orkney by students and business leaders who have enjoyed some fantastic experiences thanks to their involvement in the programme.

The voluntary group has restarted following a two-year gap and is looking for volunteers from the business community to share their expertise by joining the local area team.

The Council is encouraging those who are working from home due to COVID-19 to check if they are eligible for HM Revenue and Customs tax relief for 2021/22.

This month has seen the Council’s Museums team welcome Nick Hewitt as Team Leader - Nick already has a special link with some of Scapa Flow Museum's most significant artefacts - read on!

Local contractors Heddle Construction and Orkney Builders Contractors Ltd have successfully eased 100-year old naval guns from their plinths at the Scapa Flow Museum under the watchful eye of the Council’s Museums team.