A long-awaited decision on the future of Kirkwall's Ayre Hotel looks to be settled soon.

Current owner, Roy Dennison, said on Saturday: "We have had a number of approaches over a period of time. It seems inevitable that we will go ahead with a sale in the near future."

The show called "Gaan Tae The Nor' Wast" tells the story of what Orkney was like at the time of the Hudson Bay Company. The 44-strong group from KGS leaves for Canada on Wednesday.

A recording of one of the Canada concerts will be shown at the Pickaquoy Centre on June 23, before the group returns.

The second of Orkney's network of HLCs, it is to support the OIC's aims to promote an increase in physical activity, a healthier lifestyle and raising the standard of physical fitness.

Further Healthy Living Centres are planned for Sanday, North Walls, Westray, Stronsay, and Rousay.

The team behind the sea snail tidal device have dismissed rumours that it will take months to recover the unit from the sea bed in Burra Sound.

After a two years of delays, the prototype tidal device was deployed in Burra Sound in May.

A spokesman confirmed on Friday that damaged pneumatic components meant an attempt to recover the device on Tuesday failed, but stressed that the recovery will take place as soon as weather and workload permits.

In the meantime, the snail remains in its marked position in 18.7m of water.

Alan Moar, OIC director of technical services has told islands councillors that take up on the sites at Garson has been “disappointing”. Of the 36 sites, six have been sold as service sites and five are currently being advertised for sale.

Councillors agreed to look at earmarking the sites as affordable housing plots.

An OIC policy, earmarking housing areas for older people, will have to be rethought because it is breaking the law.

Members of the OIC social services and housing committee heard that the policy, which was introduced in 1994, to set aside housing for older people in Castleyards, Whitechapel, The Strynd in Kirkwall, Manse Park in Stromness and Market Green in Dounby, is against the law.

However, John Richards, assistant director of housing, said that the policy has worked well and reduced "clashes of lifestyle".

Councillors asked if other options to maintain the restriction could be investigated. In the meantime the policy will remain in place.

A woman was found not guilty of striking a man with a pair of scissors at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Victoria Denise Campbell Scott Howells, of Lynn Crescent, Kirkwall, was accused of assaulting Robert Sinclair in February this year.

Sheriff Graeme Napier acquitted Howells, saying that the evidence presented at the two day trial did not allow him to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.

The Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall hosted an event on Friday aimed at educating Primary 7 children on the issues of drugs, alcohol, bullying and peer pressure.

Choice for Life was launched in Inverness on Monday, and the Kirkwall event saw bob band Hypo Psycho take to the stage.

The event was co-ordinated by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.

Islands councillors have agreed that a former hostel for the homeless in Kirkwall is no longer required.

The Watergate Hostel, opposite the former Kirkwall police station, has been vacant since December, 2004, and, according to the report before members of the OIC's social work and housing committee on Thursday, is "no longer fit for purpose".

Councillors agreed that the property be classed as surplus to operational requirements.

A lack of funding could mean that there will never be a care home in St Margaret's Hope, it was revealed on Thursday.

Councillors at the OIC social services and housing committee heard that there is no funding available in council budgets to run a 12-bed care home.

However, director of OIC community social services, Harry Garland, suggested that he could investigate other options which could bring in external funding, such as a very sheltered housing complex, similar to Eunson's Kloss in Kirkwall.

Councillor Cyril Annal who represents St Margaret's Hope, said: "We need this old folks home not just for South Ronaldsay but for Orkney."

Councillors agreed to look at alternative ideas.

At the meeting of the OIC social services and housing committee, on Thursday, members were asked to consider providing £248,000 for running costs for the refuge for the next two years. But, because funding promised by the Scottish Executive had been withdrawn, the money could mean that other OIC-provided care services would lose out.

Councillors agreed that a funding solution should be found and another report will submitted to the committee at the next round of meetings in two months.

The latest craze among Kirkwall's "boy racers" has been condemned by police and the local road safety forum.

The young motorists are racing the wrong way up Albert Street - a one-way street - in a bid to test their driving nerve.

The aim is to reach Laing Street, which they can then turn up, before meeting another vehicle.

Island councillor, Andrew Drever, said: "Very little thought, if any, can go through their heads as to the consequences, should things go wrong."

Mr Carmichael said: "A significant number of people locally are not able to receive an adequate analogue reception at present.

"The switchover to digital services is scheduled to occur in 2009 in the Northern Isles. It is vital that when this happens television services in the isles are improved, rather than diminished."

The Orkney Village at the Bath and West Show picked up an award.

The Best Non-Agricultural Trade Stand (Large) was presented afternoon by Falklands veteran, Simon Weston.

John Clark, Orkney's organiser, said: "I think it's a tremendous honour for Orkney to have won this top prize for trade stands on this, our first attempt."

The undisclosed sum, agreed in private by the recreation and cultural services committee, will go towards the centre's operational costs for 2005/06.

In addition, a seminar is to be held to allow all council members to look at various aspects of the centre's operation and hear the results of the "best value" review carried out at the facility.

An Orkney developer has unveiled plans for up to 82 new housing plots in Kirkwall, subject to getting the green light from the OIC.

Douglas Sinclair, of Lynnburn Ltd, told The Orcadian that he hopes to create affordable housing and self-build plots at the Meadows, situated between Bignold Park Road and Papdale East.

The 11.5 acres site is currently agricultural land, but if the OIC approves a development brief, full planning permission will be applied for in the near future.

HRH The Duke of Kent visited the Orkney stand at the Bath and West Show, in England, on Friday. The Orcadian showcase is understood to be the only commercial stand the Duke had asked to see.

Wednesday was the first day the show was open to the public, and according to The Orcadian's Margaret Carr, who is at the event, the Orkney stand was packed out - despite the poor weather.

"The food stands," she said, "are doing a roaring trade."

Although officials had recommended that planning permission be granted for the site, to the south of the Ouse, by the Finstown to Evie Road, councillors voted against the proposal.

Speaking at the meeting of the OIC's planning committee, Councillor Alistair Gordon described the proposal as a "second-class system" and voiced concerns over the capacity of the facility.

Previously described by Councillor Jim Foubister as a "monumental cock-up", the dyke was originally thought to be too low, so was removed and rebuilt - but too high.

The proposal to create openings in the wall was accepted today, although Councillor Janice Annal tried in vain to persude members to go with the official recommendations and refuse permission.

The site, opposite the Kettletoft Hotel, had raised five letters of objection from locals, who felt the development would have a negative impact on the village.

Permission was granted, subject to conditions.

Olympic hammer thrower, Shirley Webb, visited the county on Wednesday for the annual primary school athletics championships at the Pickaquoy Centre.

She was in Orkney as an ambassador of the Sporting Champions scheme, an initiative which is part of sportscotland's Active Schools programme.

Around 200 children from the Mainland and island schools took part in the event.

The Scar Plaque

The Scar whalebone plaque, one of Orkney's iconic artefacts, is heading to Australia as part of a Viking exhibition.

The plaque, found during the excavation of the Scar boat burial in Sanday, is currently housed in the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.

But councillors at the OIC recreation and cultural services committee meeting on Tuesday agreed to loan the artefact to the Australian National Maritime Museum, in Sydney, from November 2005 to 2006.

Although most councillors were in favour of loaning the plaque, Councillor Roderick McLeod expressed concern in case the "irreplaceable" item is lost or damaged.

Archive story: Sanday boat burial named one of Scotland's top ten ancient treasures

The Roseness beacon, just off Holm Sound, is no longer required by owners, Northern Lighthouse Board, who asked if the council would like it as a heritage attraction.

Little is known about the landmark's history, although it has been suggested it was built around the turn of the last century to commemorate a shipwreck and the loss of several sailors.

Councillors at the OIC recreation and cultural services committee on Tuesday agreed that the council should accept the gift.

Kirkwall police are appealing for information after a shed was broken into within the private grounds of the Strynd nursery in Kirkwall over the weekend.

The wooden shed was forced open causing damage, while two children's bikes were taken. They were later traced.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 872241.

A 50-year-old man appeared from custody in Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Tuesday afternoon, following a breach of the peace in Stromness on Monday.

Robert George Doig Gatt of Guardhouse Park, Stromness, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Sentence was deferred for one year for Gatt to be of good behaviour.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has renewed his campaign for the Westminster Government to apply for European permission to allow non-commercial boat users to continue using red diesel.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Treasury Minister John Healey told Mr Carmichael: "We shall take the decision on whether to seek to extend the derogation in good time. We shall hold full discussions with those who have interests and are concerned about that beforehand, and when we make the decision we shall take into account all factors that may be relevant-social, economic and environmental."

Commenting afterwards, Mr Carmichael said: "Yet again we have another non-answer from the Treasury to what was a very straightforward question. It is well known that Treasury Officials are not keen on the idea of red diesel and would not weep many tears if it were to be scrapped completely."

NorthLink chief executive Bill Davidson presenting the sponsorship cheque to John Scott, chairman of Shetland Island Games 2005 Ltd, along with NorthLink and Games staff.

NorthLink Ferries is to contribute £20,000 towards the travel costs of staging the Shetland 2005 Island Games.

The sponsorship contribution is being made available by way of a discount against ferry bookings. The games begin on July 9 and over half of the event's 2,000 competitors are already booked to travel to Shetland on NorthLink's vessels.

Alongside NorthLink's sponsorship contribution to the games, the company is also directly supporting the travel of the 147-strong party representing neighbouring Orkney, who will make the short sail north on the special daytime schedule.

The Longhope lifeboat goes to the aid of the Dasher. (Picture:59 Degrees North)

The bravery of the volunteer crew of the Longhope lifeboat was recognised on Tuesday, with a presentation of awards in Perth.

Coxwain Kevin Kirkpatrick will receive the thanks of the institution on vellum for his part in the rescue of the stricken yacht, Dasher, in August last year. The yacht had lost its anchor and was being driven towards rocks off Burray in Storm Force 10-12 winds.

Admiral Sir Jock Sclater made the presentations, which saw a framed letter of thanks go to mechanic John Budge, and vellum service certificates for the crew.

The company's managing director, Duncan McLean, confirmed on Monday: "Three full-time staff and several part-time - amounting to one and a half full-time equivalents - were laid off. The current staffing levels are now 27 full-time and 11 part-time staff, of which part-timers amount to approximately four full-time equivalent."

Staff were laid off following what was described as "an assessment of our staffing levels versus current business requirements".

A leading environmental group has hit out at the Government's support of marine renewable technologies, demanding it backs marine renewable technologies.

Friends of the Earth's call follows a news article in the national press stating that plans to build the world's largest wave farm in Orkney are to be abandoned due to a lack of government funding.

FoE's Duncan McLaren said: "Unless ministers get a grip of the situation we can kiss goodbye to becoming world leaders in this energy technology, just as failed to do with wind power. It is now time for government to put its money where its mouth is and properly back marine renewables."

The 290-metre long Golden Princess

The arrival of the largest cruise liner scheduled to visit Orkney this season was cancelled on Sunday, due to bad weather.

Storms in the Irish Sea disrupted the vessel's schedule, so it was decided to miss the planned Kirkwall stop. The 109,000-tonne Golden Princess is capable of carrying 2,700 passengers.

OIC harbours director, Nigel Mills, said: "We are in discussions with the company to see if we can arrange to come alongside at Hatston on June 18, alleviating the tendering problems between the boat and Kirkwall pier."

View the Golden Princess' bridge webcam here.

Following police inquiries the youths will be charged with causing damage to the recently relocated Groatie Hoose in Tankerness House Gardens.

It is understood that Kirkwall jewellery firm, Ola Gorie, has paid off nine members of staff. The redundancies were made on Friday afternoon.

In a prepared statement earlier in the week, the company¹s managing director, Duncan McLean, said: "As part of normal ongoing business, we are always attempting to make our operations more efficient.

"Now is no exception, and we are currently considering a restructuring to meet the requirements of our customers."