As the investigations into Friday's fatal helicopter crash get under way, the pilot who perished has been named as Anthony John Taylor (53) from Insch, Aberdeenshire.

A police spokesman has confirmed that the Air Investigation Branch are assisting with the investigation and that following police inquires, a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal at Kirkwall.

Police are also asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Kirkwall Police Station as soon as possible on 01856 872241.

A spokesman said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked and our thoughts go out to all those involved"

He added that the NLB vessel MV Pharos is "searching and salvaging for wreckage" while a team from Edinburgh are being sent north to assist with inquiries.

See: Body of pilot recovered after Brough of Birsay helicopter crash

New particle contract issued by Dounreay

Dounreay operators UKAEA have awarded a new contract to monitor beaches near the Caithness nuclear plant for radioactive particles.

The contract has been awarded to RWE Nukem and Dounreay say it is conditional on the company being able to meet the specifications laid down by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Coastguard helicopter Oscar Charlie searches the Brough coastline for the missing pilot. (Pic: Orkney Photographic)

Divers recovered the body of a helicopter pilot yesterday after his aircraft crashed into the sea off the Brough of Birsay in the morning.

The Northern Lighthouse Board helicopter plummeted into the sea around 11.20am on Friday. The pilot's body was eventually found at 2.16pm following a search in 20 knot easterly winds co-ordinated by Shetland Coastguard.

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Carmichael seeks statement on sea fatality increase

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has sought assurances from the leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook, that a Minister for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, will make a statement regarding the increase in fatalities at sea last year.

Mr Carmichael said there may or may not be a link between the rise in death and the closure of the Pentland and Oban Coastguard stations but requested a statement so the issue can be given a proper hearing.

Finance Minister pledges quick response to OIC transport cash plea

Scots Finance Minister Andy Kerr has said he is fully aware of Orkney's air and ferry cash crisis and will be delivering a response to the OIC as soon as possible.

Orkney Islands Council need £500,000 from the Scottish Executive to claw back a shortfall for inter-isles ferry and air services. They wrote the Executive for help, but are still waiting for a reply.

Speaking during his visit to Orkney on Thursday, Mr Kerr said he understood the OIC's concerns and would investigate the delay in the response to their request for additional money.

See: Ferry cutbacks on the cards unless Executive come up with cash

June start for East Kirk's 'One Stop Shop' conversion

Work on converting Kirkwall's East Kirk into a One Stop Shop is due to start next month.

The news was announced on Thursday by project manager Jim Robertson during a tour of the premises by Scots Finance Minister Andy Kerr.

Commenting on his visit Mr Kerr said: "This initiative demonstrates the real benefits of a first contact centre for customers - simpler access, greater availability of services and more responsive and accessible services, using the most modern technology to build services around the customer's needs."

See: Minister visits One Stop Shop site

New group seeks air travel subsidies

A strong case to bring down the cost of air services to Orkney and the rest of the Highlands and Islands by subsidising the routes has been mounted by a new transport group.

The Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership say a major study has shown there is a compelling case to subsidise Scottish air services.

Orkney Islands Council are a member of the group and the services highlighted include routes to Kirkwall.

Child abuser back in Orkney

Child abuser Brian Hill is back living in Orkney after an appeal to the High Court for his release on bail was successful.

Hill, was remanded in custody until sentencing on May 30 at Alloa Sheriff Court after he was found guilty of sex acts against two sisters when they were aged seven and nine from 1978 to 1983.

A spokesman from Alloa Sheriff Court confirmed this week that Hill had been granted bail by the High Court on Wednesday, May 15.

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Minister visits One Stop Shop site

Minister for Finance and Public Services, Mr Andy Kerr, visited the former East Kirk yesterday - the site of Orkney's One Stop Shop project.

The Scottish Executive supported project is a joint OIC/NHS Orkney venture that will bring together the county's housing, health and social services.

Petition after Stromness folk declare walkway "unacceptable"

Stromness folk have unanimously declared that the passenger walkway planned to serve the new NorthLink ferry is “unacceptable” and raised a petition against the proposed design.

At Tuesday night's public meeting of the Stromness Town Centre Partnership, townsfolk voted to express concern at the scale of the unit and how it would restrict the use of the pier in future.

Chairman of Stromness Community Council, Mr Ian Johnstone, is to call on the OIC to make a ‘Variation Order’ to the specifications so that a larger area of the pier is left free for operational use.

Archive story: Revised design welcomed
but more walkway discussions needed says Brown

Deputy minister in Orkney for closed doors meeting

Deputy Justice Minister, Dr Richard Simpson, is to visit Orkney on Monday for a meeting behind closed doors with the local Drug, Alcohol and Smoking Action Team (DASAT).

The former GP will discuss local progress on national objectives with DASAT, but the meeting will be held in private, with an opportunity for the press to speak with Dr Simpson after the meeting.

Ferry cutbacks on the cards unless Executive come up with cash

Orkney Islands Council are looking at drastic cutbacks to the North Isles ferry service - involving tying up one of the three vessels - unless the Scottish Executive come up with £500,000 to maintain inter-island air and sea services for the coming year.

The radical proposals are contained in a contingency plan due to be put before Scottish Executive finance minister Andy Kerr on his visit to Orkney today.

The inter-island air services are £189,000 over budget while Orkney Ferries require an extra £338,000.

Archive story: Executive help sought over Orkney Ferries overspend

Launch promotes workplace health and safety

A new scheme to promote health and safety in the workplace was launched in Kirkwall on Tuesday.

The "toolkit" aims to help businesses work towards the national Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) award.

Locally a bronze SHAW award is held by Orkney College and Talisman Energy of the Flotta terminal. Ortak have successfully progressed to the silver level.

An Orkney man who saved a dog from drowning in a canal has been honoured by an animal welfare charity.

David Threadgold, who is now a policeman in Westhill, was awarded a bronze medal by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at their annual meeting in Edinburgh.

Constable Threadgold waded into the canal at Port Elphinstone, Inverurie, to save the struggling Jack Russell-collie cross on October 8, last year.

Fish farm works licence revoked

The Scottish Executive have revoked the works licence for a fish farm at Kirkhope in South Walls.

An appeal was lodged by two Longhope residents against the decision by Orkney Islands Council’s transportation committee to grant a licence for the development at Kirkhope to Aquascot Seafarms Ltd.

Following a site inspection by a Scottish Executive reporter, Scottish Ministers have agreed to revoke the licence.

Report calls for permanent customs cover

In their report into the Customs and Excise service in Scotland, the Scottish Affairs Select Committee have called for permanent Customs cover to be put in place in Orkney, before the proposed container trans-shipment hub is created in Scapa Flow.

Commenting on the findings and recommendations, Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael, said: “The report makes the point that an intelligence-led Customs service is not to be pursued at the expense of everything else."

Monday start for Sandwick kirk restoration

St Peter's Church after the renewal of its roof around 1907. (Photo: Orkney Photographic Archives)

The restoration of St Peter's Kirk in Sandwick began on Monday.

The kirk, by the Bay of Skaill, is being rennovated by the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT).

The work is being carried out by local architects Pentarq and contractors Orkney Builders.

Once the nine month programme of work is complete, the SRCT intend the kirk to be accessible all year round, resuming its role as a place of worship.