The new Kirkwall office of MP Alistair Carmichael and MSP Jim Wallace was officially opened on Friday afternoon.

The opening ceremony for the new Broad Street premises was carried out by OIC convener Councillor Stephen Hagan.

Marine development chairman appointed

Councillor Iain MacDonald was made chairman of the OIC's marine development sub-committee on Friday afternoon.

Councillor MacDonald was proposed by OIC convener Stephen Hagan and seconded by vice-convener Jim Sinclair.

Memorandum signed with September date for ICHL public proposal launch

International Container Hubs Ltd (ICHL), the company developing the Scapa Flow container hub, look set to publicly launch details of their proposals in September.

The announcement follows the conclusion of the formal 'Memorandum of Understanding' between the OIC and ICHL on Thursday afternoon.

This document gives ICHL exclusive rights to work up their concept for the Golta Peninsula on Flotta and be in a position to begin construction within two years.

Orkney exempt from stock disposal ban

All of Orkney is to be exempt from a general Scottish Executive ban on burying and burning fallen livestock on farms.

Originally only the islands were being considered for exemption, but following the confirmation that the Chingliebraes incinerator, outside Kirkwall, could not cope with disposing of all fallen stock, the Orkney Mainland has now also been included.

Island culture may put lives at risk

Orcadians are risking their lives by failing to go to the doctor soon enough, a report has claimed this week.

Consultant general surgeon Mr Ameir Al-Mukhtar warned that reluctance to seek early help can have devastating results.

Doubts have also been raised as to whether Orkney's population is as healthy as has been suggested in the past. Although the low uptake of health services has been seen as a measure of health, it has been reported that delays seeing a doctor are due to "cultural reasons" and employment patterns in Orkney.

Demonstration in London to highlight "plight" of Biz Ivol

A spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said the demonstration was to raise awareness of Mrs Ivol's "battle with the Scottish Criminal Justice System".

Orkney boat owners recruited in cetacean recording scheme

Sighting records over the past 20 years have built up a picture of the different species, time of year and areas where they occur, but the organisers say, much is still to be learned.

Boat owners have received letters from the Orkney Wildlife Emergency Response Group along with an illustrated A3 laminated sheet to help with identification - but any who have not can contact Scottish Natural Heritage on 875302.

'Hope parking restriction plans to be amended

The parking restrictions are intended to cope with the increased traffic volumes in the village's narrow streets since the start of the St Margaret's Hope - Gills Bay ferry service.

The plans will be amended to remove an area outside the Bellevue Hotel in St Margaret's Hope, following an objection by the owner.

MP pension book campaign gathers pace

A campaign being led by Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael to save pension books has received signatures from 1,000 local people over the past month.

Mr Carmichael said: "The strength of feeling on this issue has been very evident. People of all ages recognise that pensioners should be given the freedom to decide how they receive their pensions. Under Government proposals this right will be removed in less than two years time."

Poll shows people support medicinal cannabis use

The North Tonight poll follows the abandonment of the Biz Ivol court case last week and her subsequent overdose.

Campaigning MSP Margo MacDonald said she welcomed the result of the poll. She claimed that the vast majority of people in Scotland back the use of cannabis for the relief of pain. "The taking should be legal," she said.

Technical problem delays sea-snail launch again

Trials of a prototype tidal energy turbine in Eynhallow Sound were postponed again on Tuesday after a hole was discovered in one of the device's buoyancy tanks.

The launch of the £180,000 prototype, designed by Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University, is now expected to be delayed for around ten days.

Standing 15 metres in height, the turbine support frame uses hydrofoils which use the down-thrust from tidal currents to hold the structure firmly on the seabed.

Wallace to chair tourism Ministerial group

Mr Wallace said: "I do think that Orkney provides a number of examples of good practice in our tourism promotion, and I shall want to reflect these in my own contributions to the Group's work."

He added that he intends asking Tourism Minister, Frank McAveety, to visit Orkney, to learn first hand, how the county addresses the challenge of attracting tourists.

Sichel tackles road record on debut 48 hour race

William Sichel competing in Basel in May

Sanday-based runner William Sichel (49) is planning to make his first ever attempt at a British road record when he travels to Cologne for the International 48-hour road race on Friday.

The current record of 312.212kms/194 miles is held by Al Howie and was set in 1989. William is quietly optimistic about his chances of success.

The Cologne race, William's debut 48 hour race, will take place on a scenic 1.5km long course next to the Rhine in central Cologne.

Hrossey goes into dry-dock

NorthLink's ferry Hrossey went out of service on Monday for eight days so weld defects on the vessel can be repaired in dry dock.

The hairline fissures, which came to light during a routine inspection in May, do not constitute a safety issue and were temporarily repaired at the time.

The Hrossey is expected back in service on Tuesday, July 15.

Royal Oak oil removal resumes

The Ministry of Defence are to resume oil removal operation from the wreck of the HMS Royal Oak this week.

An MOD spokesman confirmed that some 600 to 800 tonnes of oil have been removed from the World War Two wreck so far.

He added: "We hope to get more, which will have moved to the spaces where the valves are and will put more extraction valves elsewhere. The plan is to investigate and estimate the way forward."

Archive stories: Royal Oak oil leak solution could come from new bid
Relief as Royal Oak work begins at last

Family concerned about missing Devon man believed in Orkney

Richard Briant

A missing Devon man is believed to have made his way to Orkney.

There is serious concern for the safety of Richard Briant, who has been missing since June 27. It is thought he is in Orkney, where he used to deliver to and from the fish farms. His family want to know he is safe, sending the message: "We just need to know that you are safe, our hearts and your home will always be open to you. Love you always".

Richard is 5ft 6", of medium build, with short grey hair and a slight scar above his right eyebrow. Anyone with information can contact the Missing Persons Helpline on Freephone 0500 700 700.

2001