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.

“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.

The Orkney Museum is playing host to some of the Ness of Brodgar’s finest artefacts this summer.

Most of those selected formed part of last year’s World of Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum and are on display together in Orkney for the first time.

The programme for Orkney's first Carers Conference, happening this Thursday 18 May, has been finalised.

Orkney’s special friendship with Norway will be celebrated this Wednesday (17 May) when the annual Norwegian Constitution Day takes place.

The day will begin at 10:30 with a Remembrance service at the Norwegian war graves in St Olaf's Cemetery. Transport will be provided for official guests from Kirkwall Pierhead to the cemetery at 10:00.

Still connecting communities in 2023, the Churchill Barriers have been recognised with the unveiling of a National Transport Trust Red Wheels plaque on Friday (12 May) – the 78^th anniversary of their official opening in 1945.

The Red Wheel Plaque is mounted in the entrance of Barrier View Cafe - with grateful thanks to Celina Rupp – on the site of Balfour Beatty’s Headquarters during the construction of the causeways.

The latest exhibition at the Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Kirkwall, is a collection of celebrated Scottish artists, with a very strong local connection.

The Scottish Bestiary was created in 1986 and features prints by John Bellany, Steven Campbell, Peter Howson, Jack Knox, Bruce McLean, June Redfern and Adrian Wiszniewski.

They bring together Scottish animals, both real and legendary, from a fieldmouse to a dragon and a capercaillie to a unicorn. There are also two uniquely Orcadian beasts, straight out of Orkney folktales, the colossal Stoorworm and the terrifying Nucklavee.

Still connecting communities in 2023, the Churchill Barriers are to be recognised with the unveiling of a National Transport Trust Red Wheels plaque today Friday (12 May) – the 78^th anniversary of their official opening in 1945.

The Red Wheel Plaque is mounted in the entrance of Barrier View Cafe - with grateful thanks to Celina Rupp – on the site of Balfour Beatty’s Headquarters during the construction of the causeways.

We have a round-up of works underway or soon to start around Orkney from Monday 15 May 2023.

Scottish Water are working on the A960 in Toab, under traffic lights for the duration of the work.

The collapsed culvert on the Harray Road (A986) is remains covered by steel plates while replacement options are investigated. Further information will be provided in due course.

A brand new website has been launched to showcase the wealth of information, exhibits and artefacts available at Council-owned museums in the county