| Slight rise in Orkney's population |
| |
The population of Orkney has risen slightly, according to the latest figures from the General Register of Scotland.
The population estimates show the rate of growth across the Highlands and Islands in 2004-2005 reached 0.6 per cent - double the Scottish average.
Orkney's population was up 90 to 19,590, a rise of 0.5 per cent. Shetland rose by 60 to 22,000, an increase of 0.3 per cent, while in the Western Isles, the figure rose by 110 to 26,260, up 0.4 per cent. |
| Muckle Supper at Corrigall Farm |
| |
The Corrigall Farm Museum in Harray hosted a traditional Orcadian Muckle Supper on Sunday, as part of the national Show Scotland weekend.
The Muckle Supper was held at the end of harvest, so the event highlighted some of the traditional skills, which surrounded the occasion.
As well as traditional music and dancing, a display of artefacts associated with dancing, some of which have never been exhibited before, were a central part of the event. |
| Derelict Orkney croft sells for £120,000 |
| |
The spiraling cost of property in Orkney was driven home on Thursday after a derelict house in Stenness was auctioned for £122,000.
Hoy View, a croft with seven acres of land, went under the hammer at Orkney Auction Mart and ended up with a “bidding war” between two interested parties.
Bidding began at £30,000 and concluded 20 minutes later with the sale. |
| Mystery smell leaves experts puzzled |
| |
A number of public reports of a strong smell of gas on Thursday has left officials from the OIC’s harbours department puzzled.
According to OIC director of Harbours, Captain Nigel Mills, an investigation was carried out on a ship in Scapa Flow, in case potentially dangerous gas emissions were leaking into the air, but a chemist was unable to pinpoint the smell.
The smell, which has since disappeared, remains a mystery, but Captain Mills added: “We do take this very seriously, and if members of the public do smell gas I would urge them to get in touch with the One Stop Shop on 873535, or contact Harbours direct on 873636.” |
| Cathedral concert benefits children in Malawi |
| |
A charity concert was held in St Magnus Cathedral on Saturday evening.
Glenys Hughes, who spent a year in Malawi teaching, said: “Money raised at the concert will help to provide music camps and workshops for orphans and other needy children in Malawi.
“Funds will be channelled through Scottish Executive’s Scottish Malawi Appeal Fund, ensuring the money goes towards those who need it.” |
| Farmers' market returns |
| |
The first of this year’s Orkney farmers’ markets took place on Saturday.
The markets, which are held on the last Saturday of the month from April to September, are staged in the car park next to the VisitOrkney tourist office.
Organised by the Orkney Farmers’ Market Association, the events usually attract about a dozen stallholders selling a range of food and crafts, from organic meat and vegetables to fish, home bakes and savoury treats. |
| Ferry Inn hosts another Pink Weekend |
| |
Stromness came alive at the weekend with the Ferry Inn Pink Weekend kicking off on Friday night.
Marc Boal, who is paying tribute to his late partner, by raising cash for research into the cancer that claimed her life, said they were hoping for an excellent turnout.
Ingrid Rosie was only 25 when she died in November 2003, after a 12-month battle against breast cancer.
|
| Orkney Aye named winners of Young Enterprise competition |
| |
Stromness Academy's Orkney Aye were named winners of the Orkney Young Enterprise competition at a ceremony in Kirkwall on Thursday night.
Orkney Aye, who produced a CD of George Mackay Brown's work, came out on top after each group gave a presentation to judge Chris Van Der Kuyl, chairman of Young Enterprise Scotland.
The group will now compete in the Scottish finals. |
| Burness planning application granted, despite local objections |
| |
Despite a number of objections, outline plans for a house at Graveshill, Burness in Sanday, was given the backing of councillors on Thursday.
Tim Featherstone, of Bayview, was present at the OIC planning referrals sub-committee meeting to hear overwhelming support from councillors for the proposed new property.
Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan said: “I think it is great to see development in the isles.”
Objectors, which included Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, raised concerns about over development in the area and road safety. |
| Embrace named headline act for Magfest |
| |
Embrace have been announced as the headline act for a new two-night music event in Pickaquoy Centre in June.
Magfest – a collaboration between St Magnus Festival and Neil Stevenson – will take place on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1.
The Proclaimers and the Saw Doctors will co-headline the Friday evening, with Embrace and Sandi Thom following on the Saturday night. Local acts will also feature on both nights. |
| Attempt to block Picky funding increase fails |
| |
The controversial issue of Pickaquoy Centre funding reared its head again in the council chamber on Tuesday.
A number of councillors made a last ditch attempt at full council to have the recommended £1.4 million package to run the centre for two years, brought back to the drawing board for further discussion.
The attempt failed and councillors, including Janice Annal and James Stockan, were accused of “a mish-mash of malice and innuendo” by Pickaquoy Centre Trust chairman, and fellow councillor, Mike Drever.
Councillors voted nine to seven in favour of going ahead with the recommended funding package. |
| Wallace seeks "sensible solution" to Kirkwall oil depot concerns |
| |
Jim Wallace MSP has welcomed the joint initiative by Highlands and Islands councils regarding town centre oil depots, having pursued the issue of the depot in Kirkwall’s Shore Street for some time.
He said: “It would be sensible for the Scottish Executive to work with the councils and the oil companies to examine the options open to them. In Kirkwall’s case, this should include looking for possible alternative locations for the depot,
“It is possible that this could result in a sensible solution with a new up-to-date depot, on a more operationally suitable site, and with the possibility of an important site in Kirkwall being released for more suitable use.” |
Carmichael presses shipping minister over Scapa Flow container hub development |
| |
Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael has pressed the Shipping Minister, Stephen Ladyman MP over the development of the Scapa Flow as a container hub as the shipping industry expands.
After the debate, Mr Carmichael said: “I was most disappointed that despite pressing the Shipping Minister on this issue he made no response to this point.
“I shall take every opportunity to pursue this matter with the Minister and the Department in future.” |
| Hamnavoe Carers minibus reprieve |
| |
The Hamnavoe Carers got a last minute reprieve at Tuesday’s full council meeting, as councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of granting cash to enable the purchase of a new minibus.
The Stromness voluntary group, which is raising much of the £31,000 replacement costs, had been turned down in their request for £14,000 from the council.
This week Councillor Janice Annal pointed out: “This is a very cheap way of providing the transport for the elderly in the community there.”
Councillors voted in favour of giving £14,000 by 14 votes to five. |
| Murder mystery at Minehowe? |
| |
Archaeologists have confirmed that a man, unearthed at Minehowe in Tankerness last year, met a violent death.
Analysis of the 2,000-year-old skeleton have shown that the man, aged between 25 and 35, received a number of wounds that ultimately resulted in his death.
It appears that after being struck from behind, by either an arrow or spear, he was set upon by someone wielding a dagger or short sword.
Nick Card of the Orkney Archaeological Trust said that it was impossible to tell whether the victim was murdered at Minehowe, or killed elsewhere and brought to the site, perhaps as a sacrifice or offering to the gods of the underworld. |
| Investigations into Flotta terminal fire |
| |
An investigation is under way following a fire at the Flotta oil terminal.
Operators, Talisman, confirmed that their emergency response team extinguished a fire in a utility heating system shortly after noon on Monday. None of the terminal’s 171 staff were injured.
It is suspected that lagging on a hot pipe may have ignited.
Terminal manager Mike Budge said: “At no stage was there any risk to any of the terminal’s personnel and, as the location of the incident was well away from the main oil processing area of the site, the production of the terminal continued as normal and remained unaffected.” |
| Wallace vows not to let air ambulance issue drop |
| |
Jim Wallace MSP has written the Health Minister regarding last week's reports of “shortcomings” in the air ambulance service - the use an MoD helicopter to evacuate a premature baby and a patient left exposed to the weather for 45 minutes while being loaded on the aircraft.
In addition, Mr Wallace asked how, when the SAS cite hygiene standards for their refusal to maintain a backup Kirkwall-based Islander, these standards are met in the MoD aircraft?
He said: “I have no doubt that, when they first started to plan the new service, the ambulance service genuinely wanted to provide a better service. But, and it’s a very big but, having decided that they knew best, they have since refused to listen to the entirely justified concerns raised in Orkney about their plans.
"The result is, I believe, that the new service is a step backwards, not forwards. This is why I, and others, do not intend to let the matter drop.” |
| Orkney MSP welcomes EMEC grant |
| |
Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace, has welcomed Monday's grant announcement for the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Stromness.
Mr Wallace said: “When, last June, as Deputy First Minister, I published the Executive’s Green Jobs Strategy, a commitment was made to work with stakeholders to establish EMEC as the internationally recognised centre for marine energy technical operating and safety standards. Today’s funding announcement is a welcome step towards delivering that commitment.
“Scotland, and Orkney’s, potential to lead the way in marine renewables is immense, although there are still challenges to be met. But, by establishing EMEC as the place where world quality control standards will be developed, we will ensure we are well positioned to lead the way in marine renewables technology.” |
| Councils join forces to call for relocation of town-centre fuel depots |
| |
The OIC has added its voice to a plea to the Scottish Executive to help move oil depots out of towns.
A letter signed by seven Highlands and Islands council conveners was presented to ministers at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Kirkwall on Monday.
The move follows widespread concerns over the safety aspects of operating fuel depots in residential areas - concerns revived by the blaze at the Buncefield oil depot, in England, last December. |
| Stromness arrest leads to discovery of suspected hard drugs |
| |
A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal after a man arrested in Stromness was found to be in possession of a suspected class ‘A’ drug.
Police were initially called to attend a breach of the peace on Friday night in Brown’s Hostel, Stromness, when two males, aged 47 and 41, were apprehended.
One was subsequently found to be in possession of what is believed to be a controlled drug. |
| First Minister announces quality control standards grant for EMEC |
| |
Visiting Stromness on Monday morning, First Minister Jack McConnell said he is determined to see Scotland exploit its potential to become a world leader in renewable energy.
Mr McConnell was speaking as he announced a £300,000 government grant to help the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Stromness achieve another world first.
The funding package will allow EMEC to establish the world's first quality control standards - setting the benchmark for the entire industry. The First Minister said the announcement would further position EMEC as a worldwide centre of excellence. |
| MSP disappointed at lack of funding discussion |
| |
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said he had hoped the “Scottish Executive’s continued under-funding of Orkney when compared to Shetland and the Western Isles” would be raised during the First Minister's visit to the county.
Mr McGrigor said: “Mr McConnell’s fellow visitor, finance minister Tom McCabe, has previously said any claims of under-funding were "perceived” and that Orkney is in only a "seemingly” poor position.
“Orkney’s Band D council tax passed the £1,000 barrier for the first time this year and the gap between what the other islands communities and Orkney receives is increasing.” |
| Orkney College has place in new research programmes |
| |
Two new research programmes involving Orkney College aim to put the Highlands and Islands at the forefront of Scotland’s drive to generate renewable electricity.
Orkney is one of four partners in the UHI Millennium Institute network where the programmes will be delivered, aiming to research, develop and implement the use of renewable energy
The projects will support research opportunities in renewable energy generation for more than 20 graduates across the region. They will seek to develop local skills in generating electricity from wave, tidal, wind, solar, biomass and waste energy sources.
Anyone wishing further information should contact Richard Hunt on 01847 889594/89 or by email. |
| VisitOrkney joins forces to promote Northern Isles |
| |
This week, for the first time, VisitOrkney is joining forces with VisitShetland and Northlink Ferries to promote the Northern Isles at VisitScotland Expo, Scotland’s only business-to-business event for the travel trade.
Alongside the tourism agencies and ferry company will be partner organisations including the Orkney and Shetland Touring Company and Orkney and Shetland Tourist Guides Associations, as well as representatives from a number of quality accommodation providers.
Taking place in Glasgow’s SECC on Wednesday and Thursday this week, Expo will feature around 200 businesses from around the country exhibiting at this year’s event. |
| Orkney visit for First Minister |
| |
First Minister, Jack McConnell was in Orkney on Monday, opening the Highlands and Islands Convention in Kirkwall.
In addition, Mr McConnell visited the Garson Dental Practice, the European Marine Energy Test Centre in Stromness, and the Firth Primary School in Finstown.
Joining Mr McConnell for the convention in the Pickaquoy Centre were finance minister, Tom McCabe, and deputy environment and rural affairs minister, Rhona Brankin. |
Waulkmill voted Orkney’s ‘Best Kept Beach’ |
| |
Waulkmill beach in Orphir has been voted the winner of the first VisitOrkney ‘Best Kept Beach’ award.
The results were announced on Saturday morning at Scapa Beach, ahead of the annual ‘Bag the Bruck’ beach clean-up.
VisitOrkney’s Carly Simpson said: “We’ve had a really positive response to the Best Kept Beach competition, with the majority of nominations being logged online. There was a great variety of beaches put forward for the award, and Waulkmill proved to be this year’s favourite, beating Rackwick beach by just a few votes.”
The public nominated the beach they thought deserved the award by voting online at www.visitorkney.com or by completing nomination forms at the tourist information centres. |
