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  • Norwegian Constitution Day – in pictures

    Orkney’s special friendship with Norway was celebrated on Wednesday (17 May) when the annual Norwegian Constitution Day took place.

    Norwegian Constitution Day is celebrated in Orkney every year and the longstanding relationship dates back many centuries to when the islands were populated by Norwegians in the late 700s.

    19 May 2023

  • Short-term lets drop-in information day at the Council

    In a bid to support folk further, we are planning a drop-in information day focusing on the short-term lets licensing application process.

    It will be held at Customer Services in Kirkwall on Tuesday 30 May 2023.

    19 May 2023

  • Shapinsay bairns “inspired” by poet

    Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2022-2024), Joseph Coelho, visited Orkney Library & Archive this week - as part of his nationwide ‘Library Marathon’ tour from May to August.

    On Monday, the award-winning performance poet, playwright, and children’s author met with children from Shapinsay and Stenness Schools.

    19 May 2023

  • Shining a light on fostering

    Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.

    The campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers.

    19 May 2023

  • Aurrida House Comfort Fund appeal

    Staff at Aurrida House are taking part in a fancy dress sponsored walk/run at the Picky running track on 10 June from 2-4pm.

    They are aiming to raise £500 for the Aurrida House Comfort Fund...

    19 May 2023

  • Covid fund for Culture closing soon

    The closing date for applications to our Covid Recovery Fund for Culture is fast approaching.

    19 May 2023

  • Constituency boundaries consultation underway – proposals will not impact Orkney

    Boundaries Scotland has begun a public consultation on provisional proposals for new Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries.

    The review covers all of Scotland, however the three island groups of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles are protected by legislation and will remain unchanged.

    18 May 2023

  • Changes to bus services from Monday 22 May - including X1 service

    Changes to bus timetables come into effect from Monday 22 May, including significant changes to the X1 St Margarets Hope - Kirkwall - Stromness service.

    18 May 2023

  • Council signs agreement with Nordic Atlantic Cooperation

    Orkney Islands Council has today (9 May 2023) signed an agreement with the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation - or NORA.

    NORA’s focus is on making the North Atlantic a strong and dynamic part of the Nordic region, sustainable economic development and cross-border collaboration between the private sector and research and development bodies, extending to Canada and Scotland.

    16 May 2023

  • “Fun and fantastic” - Freyja of Scapa is officially named by two Orkney namesakes!

    “Fun, fantastic, awesome and amazing” – words used by the two young Orkney girls to sum up the official naming ceremony of their namesake vessel Freyja of Scapa.

    The county’s third tug received a traditional ‘champagne’ blessing at Scapa Pier on Monday (15 May) by five-year-old Freyja Hazel Seatter, from Orphir, and Freya Evans, 9, of Tankerness.

    Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee and local minister, David Dawson performed the religious blessing for the onward safe passage of the vessel and all who sail on Freyja of Scapa.

    16 May 2023