Grainbank record falls in centenary year

Orkney Golf Club's course record has been broken for the second time inside a year.

Keith Leonard's record-breaking performance on Wednesday night saw him complete the course in 62 strokes, a 32 on the first nine holes and 30 on the last nine.

This performance by Keith of Berstane Road, Kirkwall, took two strokes off the record set by Kenneth Sinclair in the Kirkwall Open in August 2001.

CCTV fails to deter vandals

The public toilets on Shore Street in Kirkwall have been targeted by vandals again - despite the presence of CCTV.

“They were vandalised sometime between Wednesday and Thursday,” Inspector Paul Eddington said. “They are subject to CCTV monitoring, but unfortunately nothing has come from that yet.”

Archive story: Kirkwall's first CCTV earmarked for pierhead toilets

Jobcentre boss impressed by dedicated staff

Leigh Lewis in the Italian Chapel. (www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

The chief executive of the Jobcentre Plus is impressed by the dedication of staff in the Kirkwall Jobcentre and Benefits Agency.

Mr Leigh Lewis was commenting on his first visit to Orkney, during which he explained the implications of the merger between the employment service and the former department of social security.

He indicated that the new Kirkwall amalgamated office to be open for business by next March before visiting a number of Orkney's best known tourist attractions.

NorthLink break silence to strike back

NorthLink have hit back at Norse Island Ferries, stating that their rates will be £1.50 per metre cheaper than the figure quoted by the rival firm.

Commercial director, Gareth Crichton, said: “It is important that the people in the business of moving goods to and from Shetland are aware of how competitive the NorthLink freight service will be.”

Mr Crichton also gave an assurance that NorthLink were committed to using the dedicated freight and livestock vessel Hascosay, despite the threat of losing trade to Norse Island Ferries.

See also: Norse Island Ferries announce freight
and livestock plans to rival NorthLink

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has been one of the busiest Scottish MPs at Westminster since last year’s General Election.

Figures show Alistair Carmichael eleventh in a table of Scottish MPs activities, with 298 contributions in the past year.

In comparison, Western Isles MP, Calum MacDonald, made 17 contributions in the same period.

Custody after alleged Support Training break-in

One person was in police custody on Thursday following an alleged break-in at the Support Training premises in Kirkwall on Wednesday night.

It is alleged a quantity of cash was stolen and a computer damaged. A report is being prepared for the procurator fiscal.

Meanwhile, police say that two people are to be reported to the procurator fiscal following the alleged break-in at Costies Pavillion on Sunday night. A further four people are to be reported for the recovery of alleged stolen goods from Costies.

Report prepared after break-in at primary school

A report is being prepared by Kirkwall police in relation to two youths following an alleged break-in at Papdale Primary School earlier this month.

A CID spokesman from Kirkwall Police Station said property had been recovered.

New detective inspector to concentrate on drug issues

D.I. Murdo Fraser (www.orkneypho tographic.co.uk)

A Western Isles man has been appointed detective inspector for Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Sutherland.

On a visit to Orkney this week Murdo Fraser (43) said he would have specific responsibility for any major crimes within the area.

“I will be concentrating on drug issues. Class A drugs, we seem to have problems with in other areas, I want to see if that problem exists in Orkney. I have considerable experience working in island situations and look forward to the challenge of it.”

Record year for Highland Park

Highland Park Distillery's parent company, the Edrington Group, have reported pre-tax profits of £49.5 million over the past year - up 12.8 per cent on last year's figures.

Edrington say Highland Park whisky, which is one of their four key brands, saw a record year and ranked best in its class in the UK.

Oil upturn boosts Orkney's economic growth

Orkney witnessed some of the healthiest economic growth in Scotland last year, boosted by an oil and gas industry upturn, according to Inverness-based financial consultant Mackay Consultants.

Provisional estimates show Orkney with a 2.2 per cent growth in economy last year, ranking with the top five areas in Scotland.

Good fortunes in the oil industry last year are given as the main reason for the relatively high growth.

Norse Island Ferries announce freight and livestock plans to rival NorthLink

A new freight shipping service detailed in Shetland on Wednesday could include Orkney and rival NorthLink in the Northern Isles.

The new Shetland consortium, Norse Island Ferries, intend operating a daily service from both Lerwick and Aberdeen from the end of August. The company are proposing to use the former P&O ferry St Rognvald and the larger vessel Merchant Venture.

A spokesman confirmed that although they were primarily providing a freight service for Shetland, they were looking to expand operations and possibly include calls past Orkney.

More cash needed to keep beaches clean

They want more money to pay for a second clean-up campaign, in addition to the current "Bag the Bruck" held each spring.

Orphir and Scapa Community Council are asking the OIC whether the current £200 made available for Bag the Bruck could be topped up.

Amnesic shellfish poisoning ban extended

The Food Standards Agency have extended the ban on lifting king scallops in Scapa Flow because of high levels of ISP toxins.

The latest ban prohibits the lifting of king scallops from the waters around the south-east Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay (Box no 19).

Two treated for decompression sickness

Two divers were transferred to the ICIT re-compression unit in Stromness on Tuesday after showing signs of decompression sickness.

The Coastguard said the 29-year-man and 36-year-old woman were diving off the St Margaret's Hope vessel, Stormdrift, and missed five minutes of a decompression stop on the way back to the surface.

An ambulance transferred the divers to the ICIT facility on their arrival in Stromness.

Foundation on the lookout for whale and dolphin sightings

Orkney folk are being urged to keep a look out for whales, dolphins and porpoises this weekend.

A national scheme hopes to provide a picture of the distribution and status of the animals, with the organisers interested in the animal's location, the time, the number and as much detail as possible about the type of animal.

Sightings should be sent to Skye Environmental Centre, Broadford Wildlife Information Centre, Broadford, Isle of Skye (Tel: 01471 822487).

Moves to preserve whalebone landmark

The Birsay whalebone, overlooking the Brough of Birsay. (S Towrie)

Moves are afoot to preserve a whalebone in Birsay which has stood overlooking the sea for more than a century.

The bone is showing signs of decay and the community council are worried about how best to preserve it.

Birsay Community Council chairman, Mr Johnny Johnston, said: “(The OIC) suggested painting it with a couple of coats of varnish and keeping it indoors. But that would defeat the purpose. It should be kept outside along the cliffs, where it has been for over a hundred years."

Guide Hall secures lottery funding

The Kirkwall Guide Hall has secured a lottery grant of £10,537 to allow it to be refurbished.

The hall, at the top of School Place, is used by a number of community organisations and it is hoped that its refurbishment will encourage more to make use of the facilities.

Police seek information on Kirkwall break-ins

Police are seeking information on two break-ins in Kirkwall on Sunday night.

Police say that a "significant quantity" of cigarettes and other items were stolen from Costie's Pavilion in Main Street.

Also on Sunday night, an attempted break-in at J. F. Groundwater in Albert Street was unsuccessful after the noise alerted nearby residents. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Archery silver for Hogsden

Steve, who is wheelchair bound, was competing in the men's recurve event in the Disability Sport England competition.

Grey start for annual Shopping Week gala

The 54th Stromness Shopping Week was officially opened in Stromness on Monday morning, launching the week long catalogue of events in the town.

Opening Shopping Week this year was Captain Willie Mackay, skipper of the ferry St Ola and vice-chairman of Stromness Community Council.

Fantasy author turns her attention to Orkney historical fiction

A piece of historical fiction set in 8th century Orkney has been released in Australia. But the title wont be available in this country until 2003.

Wolfskin, by Australian author Juliet Marillier, follows the fortune of a group of early Norse settlers and their interactions with the indigenous people of Orkney.

"In the Saga of the Light Isles, I pay tribute to Orkney and its people. I don't attempt to recreate history: I use what is known to postulate what might have been," she says.

Sea stacks on the web

An illustrated website put together by Iain Miller of Cauldhame, Birsay, was an ideal way of passing the winter months before getting back to climbing in the summer.

The site - www.orkney-seastacks.co.uk - currently covers nine of the county's sea stacks but Iain intends to add to the information over the coming months.