Kirkwall company launch two new whiskies

Two unique new Orkney single malt whiskies have just been launched, offering dram lovers a Highland Park whisky “with a difference”.

John Scott’s is a limited, numbered edition of 37 and 35-year-old Highland Park that was laid down by John Scott and Miller of Kirkwall, who have been in the wine and spirits business since the 1890s.

Managing director of the company, Mr Robert Miller, explained that the new whiskies are exclusive and he plans to release a 35-year-old blended version at the beginning of December.

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Trees launches new season of exhibitions at the Orkney Museum

A new winter season of temporary exhibitions opened at the Orkney Museum on Saturday with "A Study: Trees" by Kathleen Duncan.

Kathleen, a silversmith, has used silver and other metals to create everything from vases to 2D images and sculpture.

The exhibition runs in the Orkney Museum until 1st November, and admission is free.

Sanday runner represents Great Britain in Ultra-Distance championships

Sanday ultra-distance runner William Sichel is in Holland this weekend taking part in the World/European 24-hour championships.

William is competing as part of the Great Britain time, one of 20 national teams participating.

Around 180 runners were expected to toe the start line this afternoon at 2pm.

Kiwi presentation marks end of Orkney study visit

Orkney Islands Council were to receive a presentation this afternoon from a New Zealand student who has been studying in the county.

Carmen Knowler has been in Orkney as part of her studies into drainage services in the UK. Her stay in this country was financed by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

One of her last tasks in Orkney was the presentation at the OIC offices in School Place on Friday.

New CD-ROM hope to persuade workers to move to Orkney

It is the result of a collaboration by Orkney NHS, Orkney Enterprise and the Orkney Islands Council.

The CD has been distributed to employers in Orkney and will be part of the employment pack sent out to people inquiring about vacancies at OIC, Orkney Enterprise and NHS Orkney.

Warebeth body confirmed as that of missing Kirkwall teenager

Police have confirmed that the body retrieved from the sea at Warebeth, Stromness, on Thursday morning was missing teenager Jethro Russell.

Mr Russell (19) was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 5, driving out of Kirkwall.

A report is being prepared for the procurator fiscal.

Kirkwall resident admits to child pornography charge

A Kirkwall resident appeared in Inverness Sheriff Court on Wednesday in connection with child pornography charges.

Martin Howe (48) of White Street, Kirkwall, admitted downloading 600 indecent photographs of children from the Internet between January 1999 and December 2002 at his home address.

He was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and the case was adjourned until October 29.

CCTV approved for Kirkwall streets

A three month CCTV trial will go ahead in Kirkwall after islands' councillors gave it their backing on Thursday.

A petition with 400 signatures backing the proposal was handed into the OIC.

The item was not actually discussed but instead went through on the nod.

Councillors vote for new Burray School

Plans to shelve a new Burray school were narrowly defeated today by 11 votes to ten.

Councillors at Thursday morning's full council meeting agreed to reinstate the project onto the capital list.

Council members arriving for the meeting were greeted by protesting Burray residents, angered at the latest proposal to shelve the new school.

Safety strategy launched in Kirkwall

Orkney's Community Safety Forum launched its formal strategy in Kirkwall on Thursday afternoon.

The five year strategy will focus on the broad aspects of community safety fundamental to ensuring the safety and health of the community in Orkney.

Rose window repairs near completion

The window has been cause for concern for some years, with the surrounding stone discovered to be in a very poor condition in 2000. Renovation work in 1856 used inferior stone which has not stood up well to the elements.

Work on the window began in June.

NHS dental registrations on track

This will be the final step in the re-registering of the 7,000 people who lost their NHS dentist when the Scapa Dental Centre went private last year.

Because of the sheer numbers of people involved, re-registration will be phased in, with 3,500 sent out already and the remainder going out in January 2004.

Broadband grants reminder from OE

A grant of £300 is available towards installation, setup costs and monthly rental costs for broadband provided by ADSL, wireless networks or one way satellite systems.

Any businesses or groups interested should contact Steven Heddle at Orkney Enterprise in the first instance, on 01856 888716 or by email to steven.heddle@hient.co.uk.

Relief as livestock vessels berth

Zebu Express arrives in Kirkwall on Tuesday night. (Pic M. MacLeod/Style Studio)

The 2,513 tonne ship was due to collect livestock from Kirkwall on Monday and spent Tuesday sheltering in the Bay of Firth because of the adverse weather.

But the vessel, as well as the cargo ship St Rognvald, made it in on Tuesday night and were able to collect their cargoes.

Community groups urged to attend renewable energy conference

Community groups from Scotland and beyond are being encouraged to attend the opening Community Day of next week's renewable energy conference in Stromness.

The Community Day is backed by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Community Energy Unit and financial support is being offered to groups who want to bring potential projects to the conference.

The Community Day will be a 'One-Stop Shop' for communities to meet experts in the industry and get technical and financial advice and support about ideas and projects.

Click here for Renewable Realities website.

Success for Orkney partnership at Highland Trade Fair

The fair ended on Tuesday and according to Elaine Bentley of The Quernstone, the partnership have doubled their target orders for the event.

Orkney Ice Cream have also been successful at the fair, having gained 30 orders - most of which are from new companies.

MPs challenge Crown Estate's marina rent proposals

The Crown Estate are charging Orkney Marinas Ltd £2,000 for Kirkwall and £1,500 for Stromness per annum. This works out at £23 per berth - greater than the sum quoted and agreed in 1998.

Alistair Carmichael said: "These marinas are important to Orkney and they must not be burdened by the greed of the Crown Estate."

Fixed link broadband comes to Kirkwall

The BT Scotland and THUS plans will make Orkney one of the first island communities in Scotland to benefit from fixed-line ADSL broadband.

Work is expected to be completed by Spring 2004.

Four islands designated 'Initiative at the Edge'

Two more areas of Orkney - Eday and Stronsay and North Ronaldsay and Sanday - were designated "Initiative at the Edge" on Monday.

The announcement was made at Monday's meeting of the Initiative at the Edge (IatE) steering group meeting in the Western Isles.

The islands follow Westray and Papay, who were made IatE in 1998.

IatE is a community-led Scottish Executive and multi agency partnership aimed at regenerating the most fragile areas of the Highlands and Islands.

£74,000 lottery grant for VAO befriending scheme

Voluntary Action Orkney have secured a £74,000 lottery grant for a new befriending scheme.

The cash will go towards setting up the scheme to help isolated adults in communities as well as help people take a more active role in society.

VAO's first step will be to advertise for a project co-ordinator to progress the initiative.

Domestic wind turbine tested in Orkney

Leading the project is Orkney's Bryan J. Rendall (Electrical) Ltd who are the country's first Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) accredited wind power installer. Standing nine metres high, the twin bladed turbine will produce enough electricity to power a family home.

Bryan Rendall stressed that the turbine is an opportunity to develop local skills as some of the component parts will be made in the county.

Teenagers gather to discuss issues

Big Brother winner Cameron Stout launched a two-day event in Kirkwall on Monday morning, being held as part of Mental Health Week.

'Walk Tall and Chill' is taking place in Kirkwall's Fusion club and will allow Orkney's S3 pupils to discuss issues affecting young people today as well as raising the profile and awareness of mental health and well-being.

Nursery nurses strike after "insulting" pay offer

As a result industrial action will see OIC run nurseries closing in Orkney on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Another two day strike is planned for later in the month.

A UNISON spokesman said: "It is a huge disappointment to nursery nurses to have to intensify their action. We know it hurts our children and their parents. But the kind of treatment our members are getting means that we are left with no alternative."

MAIB publish Claymore incident report

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report into the incident in which a Pentland Ferries' vessel lost power earlier this year has been published.

The ro-ro ferry Claymore, with 12 passengers on board, lost power in gale force winds while approaching St Margaret's Hope in March. The passengers were evacuated to the Longhope lifeboat and put ashore at the 'Hope.

Crew unfamiliarity with the vessel and a lack of safety management regulations are among the factors contributing to the accident as listed by MAIB report.

Divers' global expedition begins in Scapa Flow

A team of divers embarking on an epic journey across the world were due to arrive in Orkney at the weekend.

Scapa Flow has been chosen to start their voyage, which will see the divers experiencing the ten greatest shipwrecks on earth. Diving was due to start today, Monday, and after Orkney they will travel to Europe, Asian and Australia.

Explaining why Scapa Flow had been chosen start the ten-week, organiser Monty Halls said: "Scapa Flow is universally recognised as one of the premiere wreck dive locations in the world. When I sat down with my project manager, out of the ten that had to be included, Scapa Flow was up there as one of the easy choices."

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Loganair have announced a number of improvements to its winter air schedule to and from Orkney.

The daily flight from Glasgow will now depart at 7.40am, arriving in Orkney at 9.40am thus giving passengers from Glasgow and Inverness a longer working day in the county.

As a result the daily Orkney-Shetland flight will also leave 90 minutes earlier, at 10.05am.

2001