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Members of the public wishing to support, or object to, proposals for a six turbine wind farm at Wee Fea in Lyness are being reminded they have until the end of the month (31 January) to do so.

A replacement gritter has arrived on Hoy, and one is en route to Westray, ready to resume road treatments as required following breakdowns earlier this week.

Schools across Orkney will open tomorrow morning (Thursday 7 January) to provide childcare for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met this afternoon (5 January) to discuss yesterday's (4 January) update from the Scottish Government and the current rollout of vaccines to people aged over 80 in Orkney.

Unfortunately, due to vehicle breakdowns over the festive period, Orkney Islands Council gritters on Westray and Hoy are temporarily off the road.

Following the First Minister’s statement yesterday, Orkney Islands Council will fulfil the Scottish Government’s directive to open schools this week for the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children – largely in line with the timeline set out to local families and carers before Christmas.

The Reel was a well-established and valued business in Kirkwall, providing a popular café bar alongside a venue for teaching and performance of traditional Orkney music.

Kirkwall’s Marlene Croy has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her voluntary service to St Magnus Cathedral and the wider Orkney community.

The Leader of Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to finally bring in cheaper ferry fares for residents and visitors to the county – more than a decade after they were first rolled out elsewhere in Scotland.

Orkney Islands Council understands and shares the Scottish Government’s concerns relating to the latest developments with the COVID 19 Virus and the continual need to review the prevailing circumstances across the Country and for each Council area. However, there currently remains no recorded COVID cases in Orkney. Accordingly, the Council believes that a bespoke Orkney response can be accommodated for the lead up to Christmas and for the New Year based on the prevailing data and science for the operation of our internal ferries and the return to school arrangements.