Hamnavoe takes centre stage before entering service

MV Hamnavoe

Members of the public had a second chance to see around the ferry Hamnavoe on Saturday, with an open morning from 9.30-11.30am.

The £28 million vessel then took passengers on a special fundraising cruise around Scapa Flow. A second cruise took place from Scrabster on Sunday. Money raised from the sale of cruise tickets has raised £8,000 for the RNLI.

Hamnavoe is due to begin active service today.

Highland Park reveals distillery facelift

The Highland Park in Kirkwall opened its doors on Saturday to unveil £160,000 worth of improvements to the look of the distillery.

To mark the event, the distillery ran a series of Easter event throughout the day.

Business booming but not necessarily because of eclipse

Hotels and guest houses in Orkney are reporting a surge in business - but whether or not that is down to the annular solar eclipse due in May is debatable.

Only two hotels out of ten accommodation providers contacted by The Orcadian claimed guests had booked for May 31 as a direct result of the eclipse.

Orkney set for May 1 elections

Latest figures from the Electoral Commission show that 15,487 people in Orkney are registered to vote.

The figures come just as an initiative to educate people on the electoral process is launched with leaflets entitled "Your Vote" being posted to all households in the county.

Beach blitz weekend

Bag the Bruck volunteers at work (Pic: www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

Orkney's beaches got their annual spring-clean at the weekend when Environmental Concern Orkney staged Bag the Bruck 2003.

The big clean up saw volunteers collect hundreds of sacks of rubbish and debris thrown up on Orkney shores by the winter's gales and high tides.

Anyone wishing to help should contact 761230 for details.

Click here to download a list of confirmed cleanup sites
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Mobile cybercafe Orkney bound

The Young Scot Roadshow starts its Orkney leg of a national tour of Scotland in Westray at Pierowall Junior High School on April 23. The next day, will see the van, complete with 30 Internet enabled computers, appear at Kirkwall Grammar School before heading out to Dounby for 7pm.

The roadshow is part of the Dialogue Youth national strategy, designed to promote inclusion among young people in the development and provision of local services.

OIC put homeless in £65 a night hotel

Homeless people in Orkney are being put up in a £65-a-night hotel as hard-pressed council housing staff struggle to get emergency properties habitable.

It emerged this week that at least one person is staying in one of Kirkwall's top hotels, due to difficulties being faced by the housing department.

OIC assistant director of housing admitted that it was not ideal to use hotels and bed and breakfasts but maintained that in certain circumstances the situation was unavoidable.

Cursiter painting goes for £18,500

An oil painting by Orcadian artist Stanley Cursiter took top price at Scotland's biggest art fair.

The 1958 painting, Stronsay Farm, topped the sales list at the Glasgow Art Fair, commanding £18,500.

The seller and buyer wish to remain anonymous.

Scapa Flow to host start of world dive challenge

Scapa Flow has been chosen as the starting point of an epic journey by a group of divers hoping to circle the world experiencing the ten greatest shipwrecks on earth.

Monty Halls, a dive journalist based in London, has set up the trip, which is due to begin on October 6.

Grenade surrendered in weapons amnesty

An inert hand grenade is one of the more unusual items handed in to Kirkwall Police Station during this month's weapons amnesty.

Inspector David Miller said today that he was pleased with the number of old rifles and knives that have been passed to police for destruction.

Lock away valuables at Picky say police

Patrons of the Pickaquoy Centre have been warned to lock away valuables, after thieves struck again this week.

Another theft from the male changing rooms on Tuesday night was described by police as an opportunistic crime.

"There have been several opportunistic crimes at the centre over the past few weeks, which, if the opportunity were not given to these thefts would not have taken place," said Inspector David Miller.

SARS - Orkney establishments asked to be vigilant

The guidance, issued by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, has been forwarded to Orkney Tourist Board and the Pickaquoy Centre by NHS Orkney so that local hotels, bed and breakfasts and conference venues can be made aware of it.

Pupils assist in St Magnus day celebrations

More than 30 pupils from Firth Primary school were among those taking part in the annual St Magnus Day service in Birsay on Wednesday night.

The pupils performed the Story of St Magnus at the service in St Magnus Church in Birsay.

SNP fisheries spokesman on campaigning visit

During his visit Mr Lochhead is meeting with a number of local fisheries organisations including Orkney Fishermen's Society and William Jolly.

Disappointing turnout for Kirkwall hustings meeting

Only a handful of Kirkwall voters turned out for a public meeting with council candidates for Kirkwall wards on Monday night.

Among the subjects covered were council tax increase, OIC staffing levels, pedestrianisation and long-term parking in the town.

Five out of the six candidates for the three contested seats were in attendance along with four from the uncontested seats.

Fusion opening night sells out

Tickets for the opening night of Fusion, Kirkwall's new nightclub, have sold out after going on sale on Saturday.

The 500 tickets for the Judge Jules opening night on May 22 went on sale at noon on Saturday and were sold out within three hours.

But anyone who missed out will have another chance to attend a big name DJ night when DJs Brandon Block and Alex P perform a double bill on June 6.

Kirkwall launch for SSP Highlands and Islands manifesto

The Scottish Socialist Party officially launched their manifesto for the Highlands and Islands in Kirkwall on Monday morning.

SSP candidate for Orkney, John Aberdein, highlighted five main policies - the flagship of which was the Scottish Service Tax, their replacement for the Council Tax.

Other policies included free school meals for all children and creating a minimum national wage of £7.32 for public sector workers.

Crowds flock to Hamnavoe at Scrabster

Over one thousand people flocked to view the Hamnavoe on Sunday at an open day in Scrabster.

The NorthLink vessel was open to the public for three hours during which time almost 1,500 people went on board.

Meanwhile, tickets for the fundraising cruises on board the Hamnavoe this weekend have sold out - raising £8,000 for the RNLI from ticket sales alone.

Shadow Secretary of State to visit

The Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Jackie Lait, is to visit Orkney later this month.

In the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections, Ms Lait will be lending support to Orkney's Conservative candidate Christopher Zawadski.

She is expected to visit on Monday, April 28.

Assault at mart dance

Police are seeking witnesses after an assault involving a group of youths at Orkney Auction Mart on Saturday night.

The incident, which took place at a Mart dance, saw a single male assaulted by a group of youths.

The young man was taken to Balfour Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.