Latest News

A former Council employee helped a mother and her two small children evacuate war-torn Ukraine.

After around 1,500 miles and a 12 hour wait at the Ukraine Border Control, Ian Ward, his wife Svetlana and the others have made it out of the country.

Ian and his wife are currently in Hamburg in Germany, but he hopes they will be able to make it to the UK soon.

Flagstone repairs in the centre of Stromness are continuing, with the road closures in place on Alfred Street moving towards Mayburn Court next week.

Orkney Islands Council’s Harbour Authority bid a fond farewell to the tug Einar at the weekend (13 March) after 33 years’ service.

She has been sold to a company in Tromsø, Norway and the transfer of ownership will take place in Aberdeen.

The Einar’s sister ship, Erlend, is also on the market and expressions of interest have been made.

The Council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement this week that face masks will still be required to be worn on public transport and most indoor public settings until at least early April.

The legal requirement to wear facemasks had been expected to be dropped on March 21 – but the rising number of COVID cases across Scotland has led to the delay.

With Phase 1 road resurfacing works at Ferry Road roundabout in Stromnessprogressing well, work will switch over to Phase 2 at some point in the morning tomorrow, Thursday 17 March - with a four mile diversion for some drivers.

Orkney Islands Council is advising of road works underway in the county or due to start shortly, and the impacts on public bus services - including works recently started at Ferry Road roundabout in Stromness which involves a 4 mile diversion in Phase 2.

Cattle farmers in the county are celebrating the news that their herds have been declared free of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).

The office of Scotland’s Chief Vet, Sheila Voas, has confirmed that Government records show the last Orkney animal infected with BVD, was removed on

4 March 2020 – resulting in Orkney being clear of BVD for two years.

The lead up to the 2022 Local Government elections picks up pace this week with the publication of a Notice of Election and the arrival of polling cards on doormats.

Orkney Islands Council’s Interim Chief Executive, John Mundell, is urging the community to complete their census accurately to help build a reliable picture of our community’s needs.

The Commonwealth Flag will be flown from the Kirkwall Town Hall today (March 14) for Commonwealth Day.