Man admits to Stromness break-ins

A man appeared from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Friday and admitted breaking into the Stromness Cafe on two separate occasions.

Social inquiry and community service reports have been called for after Andrew Velzian (22), Greenvoe, Stromness, admitted stealing a quantity of alcohol and cigarettes on December 3 and December 5.

Sentence was deferred until January 15 and Velzian was released on bail.

Stromness invasion as 'twitchers' seek rare dove

Birdwatchers in Stromness on Friday (pic: www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

Stromness was under siege yesterday, with hundreds of bird-watchers from across the country hoping for a glimpse of a rare visitor.

The rufous turtle dove, which is more commonly found in Asia, often winters in Scandinavia, but its visits to Britain are rare.

More ornithologists are expected to make their way to Orkney to view the dove, which was last seen in this country in November, 1975.

Concern over Flotta future after BP announce Atlantic oil contracts

Concerns have been raised over the future of Orkney's oil industry following the news that BP have only renewed Flotta terminal's Foinaven oil contact for one year.

Oil from the Atlantic field will continue to be shipped to Flotta for another 12 months, but BP have made no further committment.

Meanwhile, Shetland's Sullom Voe terminal has been awarded a five year contract to handle oil from the Schiehallion Field.

Drug possession man found guilty with intent to supply

A 23-year-old joiner was found guilty of possession with intent to supply at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Ross John Spence (23), Wideford Cottage, St Ola, was charged with possession and supplying cannabis resin on May 19, 2001, at his home address.

Sentence was deferred until January 16 for social inquiry reports.

Increase in Executive cash but Orkney still lags behind other islands

The Scottish Executive have announced funding levels for Orkney Islands Council - but although it is an increase on previous years, it's still less than other island authorities in Scotland.

Over the next three years the OIC will receive: £49.477 million in 2003-04; £51.872 million in 2004-05 and £53.636 million in 2005-06 - a total of £154.98 million.

This compares with £219.885 million allocated to Shetland.

Monday decision on fate of lighthouse depot

Orkney's MP, Alistair Carmichael, is hoping to secure an eleventh hour meeting with the Northern Lighthouse Board commissioners to back the case for retaining the closure threatened Stromness depot.

Commissioners are due to meet on Monday to decide the depot's fate, and that of the six staff and two technicians employed there.

Orkney's festive season officially began on Wednesday night with the first of the county's tree lighting ceremonies.

Stromness led the way, with the town's Christmas tree and street lights being switched on at 6pm.

Commendation for "ingenious" tourism company

An "ingenious" form of tourism in Orkney has been commended at a national awards ceremony.

Roving Eye Enterprises, which uses an underwater camera to allow visitors to view the remains of the German High Seas fleet in Scapa Flow, received a "highly commended" award at the British Archaelogical Award 2002 last month.

Set up in 1997, the company is run by Orphir couple Keith and Kathy Bichan.

Bus destroyed in depot fire

A bus was completely destroyed on Monday night after a blaze at Orkney Coaches depot in Kirkwall.

Two units from Kirkwall Fire Brigade attended the fire just before 6pm on Monday night.

A police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Record price for Orkney artist's still-life

Dounby artist Peter McLaren's Homage to Velasquez with Red and Yellow Tulips was bought by a private collector.

Cash lifeline thrown to rural post offices

The Government have announced a multi-million pound aid package aimed at safeguarding Scotland's rural post offices.

The cash is intended to cushion the loss of post office cash payments of benefits and pensions - from April 2003 these will be paid directly into claimant's bank accounts.

The Royal Mail Group have said that, without the cash grant, up to 80 per cent of Britain's rural post offices face closure.

£2 million grant towards Pier Arts Centre extension

The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) have awarded a £2 million grant to the Pier Arts Centre to extend the building.

The lottery grant will go towards building extended gallery and exhibition space and will, the SAC say, develop the Stromness gallery's status as a cultural resource.

Archive Story: Ambitious £4.2 plans revealed for Pier Arts Centre

Late night screening for Brodgar film

A film partially shot in Orkney in 1999 had its British television premiere this week.

Hold Back the Night, starring Sheila Hancock, tells the story of a terminally-ill woman trying to get to Orkney to view a sunrise over the Ring of Brodgar.

The film was broadcast on Channel Four at 12.15am on Tuesday morning.

Relief as whales return to sea

The eight whales were spotted last Wednesday, but according to one eyewitness had gone by dusk on Thursday.

They have not been sighted since.

Ultra-distance runner William Sichel has broken the world record for 24-hour treadmill running.

William, who finished his 24-hour run at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall on Sunday morning, ran 112.46 miles - beating the previous record of 105.18 miles.

Orkney's first Local Plan inquiry begins

The first ever Local Plan Inquiry to be held in Orkney began in Kirkwall on Monday.

The Local Plan contains the OIC's planning policies and proposals for the next five years and the inquiry will discuss outstanding objections to the finalised version.

Published in February, around 100 of the 240 objections received remain to be resolved.

Click here for a list of dates and venues

Maeshowe webcams back online

The annual Maeshowe winter solstice webcams are now live, broadcasting images from the interior of the tomb across the Internet.

Three cameras are broadcasting from the 5,000-year-old structure in Stenness - an outside camera running from 9am until 4pm and two interior cameras broadcasting from 2pm until 4pm.

The webcams can be viewed at www.maeshowe.co.uk until February 4, 2003.