New trail leads to Orkney artists

A new tourist trail devoted to local artists was launched on Sunday, with an open day.

Studios that can be visited include Alan Watson in Rendall, Sam MacDonald in Kirkwall, Ian Urquhart in Orphir and Pam Farmer in Sandwick.

The trail also includes island artists Edwin Rendall on Westray, Doug Muir on Sanday, and Leila Thomson's studio in South Ronaldsay.

St Peter's Kirk opens doors for public viewing

The refurbished St Peter's Kirk in Sandwick opened its doors to the public on Sunday for the first time in decades.

The kirk, which has been extensively renovated by the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, held a special open day to allow visitors to see the building, and other items relating to the history of the kirk.

End of an era as museums officer retires

Bryce (60), from Stromness, has been Orkney¹s museums officer since 1975, prior to which he was principal teacher of art in Stromness.

Back then the museum only employed three people but the OIC's heritage department now employs ten full-time and 13 part-time staff administering eight facilities, including four museums, two interpretation centres, the St Magnus Cathedral and the Italian Chapel.

Next Sunday's Pentland Firth sailings cancelled to allow terminal work

Sailings next Sunday, April 6, have been cancelled to allow the installation of an adjustable platform at the end of the existing linkspan, meaning the NorthLink vessel Hamnavoe will be able to come into operation by the end of April.

For more information contact the NorthLink information line on 0845 6000 449.

MEP in Orkney for two-day visit

Ms Attwooll arrived in the county on Friday to attend Jim Wallace's adoption meeting in St Andrews.

St Magnus Festival 2003 prospectus launched

The 2003 St Magnus Festival prospectus, detailing the artists performing at this summer's festival, was launched in Kirkwall on Thursday afternoon.

The launch of the new brochure coincides with a relaunch of the festival's website - www.stmagnusfestival.com - which also contains details of this year's performances.

Click here to view site

Mountains, Sea and Sky in Orkney Museum

A new exhibition of oil paintings by the Flotta-based artist Andy Johnstone opened at the Orkney Museum on Friday.

They depict landscapes and seascapes, from the Cullins of Skye to the imposing Girnigo and Sinclair Castles in Caithness and the sea stacks of Shetland.

The exhibition runs until the 19th of April and admission is free.

Treasure Trove reminder from archaeology curator

"Anything discovered, whether by a metal detector or not, is crown property and there's a legal obligation to report it," she explained.

"If the Crown decides to exercise its power a reward would be given to the finder. The find would then be allocated to an appropriate museum."

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Troubleshooters on the way to tackle health crisis

A team of financial experts from the Scottish Executive are being brought in to help sort out NHS Orkney's financial crisis.

And assurances have been given from the Executive that a feared 40 per cent cut in funding - leading to the loss of 18 GPs in the islands - will not happen.

Marina set to go ahead

Work is expected to begin soon on the new Kirkwall marina after a solution to the land wrangle that has delayed the project.

The marina was held up by a dispute over the valuation of an area of foreshore on Kirkwall's Cromwell Road that was needed for access.

Instrumental role for Stromness in achieving Executive's renewables target

Environment minister Ross Finnie said that the research centre at Billia Croo, north-west of Stromness, will be central to their plans and accelerate "the exploration of Scotland's major wave and tidal resources."

Consultation on outdoor access code launched

A series of open meetings are to be held throughout Orkney as part of consultation on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The draft code ­ prepared by Scottish Natural Heritage ­ must be approved by the Scottish Parliament as part of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act which gives people a legal right of access to the countryside.

SNH are seeking comments on the draft Code and as part of this consultation they will be holding a series of meetings in Orkney.

Click here for meeting details

Another £2 million to Stromness Marine Energy centre

A second cash grant to the proposed Marine Energy Test Centre in Stromness has been announced by the Scottish Executive.

Environment minister Ross Finnie announced the £2 million pound investment in the project yesterday, as the Executive adopted a 40 per cent target for energy created by renewable sources by 2020.

This is in addition to the £2 million grant announced by the UK's energy minister Brian Wilson last Friday.

Crown Estate should drop cable "tax" say Orkney and Shetland MSPs

The MSPs describe the rental as a tax hampering the development of communications to Orkney and Shetland.

They also hit out at the "insensitive arrogance" of the Crown Estate's Frank Parish, who recently said that "despite all the wails about it" nothing the Crown Estate was doing was effecting the project.

£5 million investment in Orkney's water

Work to improve the water supply on the Orkney Mainland, which according to Scottish Water does not meet current EU standards, is due to begin at the end of April.

Scottish Water are investing £5 million to upgrade the Boardhouse Water Treatment Works to provide water to the latest quality standards and remove the older works at Stromness and Wideford.

Work is also planned to improve the water supply on Rousay, South Hoy and Flotta.

Japanese visitors rediscover Skara Brae

Skara Brae

A Japanese film crew are in Orkney this week, filming at a number of the county's best-known sites.

As well as the Ring of Brodgar today, the visitors were at Skara Brae and Skaill House in Sandwick, filming a re-enactment of the discovery of the Stone Age village in 1850.

Executive cash for Scrabster upgrade

The Scottish Executive is providing £300,000 for modifications to the existing Scrabster pier to allow the Hamnavoe to come into use.

The announcement was made by deputy transport minister Lewis MacDonald, who visited Scrabster on Monday afternoon.

Also meeting with representatives of NorthLink, the minister saw for himself the situation regarding the new £19 million Scrabster terminal - which is months behind schedule.

Pupils experience manufacturing industry at Picky event

Nearly 300 Orkney school pupils took part in an event on Tuesday highlighting the manufacturing industry.

The Make it in Scotland event, part of a national programme organised by Careers Scotland, took place in the Pickaquoy Centre.

£2 million cash boost for Stromness Energy Test Centre

The Marine Energy Test Centre in Stromness is to receive £2 million funding from the Government.

The cash, part of a national £19 million funding package, will go towards developing two tidal energy projects - Stingray and Seaflow.

Energy minister Brian Wilson said: "The big drive to take wave power off the drawing board and into the water is really under way."

Stromnessians turn out for meeting on floating hotel project

Around 100 people attended Monday night's public meeting on the proposed floating hotel at the Northern Lighthouse Board pier in Stromness.

The public meeting followed previous meetings with businesses and community council representatives.

Birsay website goes online

Birsay has become the first Mainland parish to have its own website.

Originally designed to highlight the work of the Birsay Heritage Trust, the site has been expanded and now sells Trust souvenirs online.

The site can be found at www.birsay.org.uk.

The preferred partner for furthering the development of a transhipment hub in Orkney has been named.

Details are vague at present but International Container Hubs Limited (ICHL) is described as "a consortium of parties from various relevant disciplines".

An OIC spokesman added: "The announcement is subject to further discussion on contractual issues pertaining to the development, including the issue of land acquisition at Flotta."