Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has called for an end to the confusion surrounding baggage quotas on flights from Orkney and Shetland.

It follows reports that passengers flying with Loganair and then on a connecting BA flight to a UK airport - for example Kirkwall to London - are allowed baggage weighing 23kg.

However, people travelling only on a Loganair flight, such as Kirkwall to Aberdeen, are limited to 15kg.

Mr Carmichael MP said: "This policy simply does not make sense.  Loganair and BA must end this bias so that passengers on their flights are allowed to take the same amount of baggage on their planes."

Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace, has backed a recommendation for a review of the property, rights and interests of the Crown Estate in Scotland.

He wants a meeting with the First Minister to press for fast action so the opportunity to hand control of the Crown Estate's Scottish marine assets to the Scottish Executive is not lost.

His letter to the First Minister, states: “While the review should look at all Crown Estate interests in Scotland, clearly the seabed and foreshore are particularly important.

"They are not only vitally important to coastal communities, such as those we represent, but they also have a growing importance to the whole of Scotland given the great potential for marine renewable energy developments which would both tackle climate change and create green jobs."

Islands councillors have quashed "inaccurate" claims regarding reconviction rates in Orkney.

Jamie McGrigor MSP claimed that nearly a quarter of those convicted in Orkney were reconvicted within two years, so suggested measures, which "would send a clear message to criminals in Orkney that mugging, robbing, rape and burglary will not be tolerated."

But it seems the MSP is somewhat out of touch, with mugging, robbing, rape and burglary extremely rare in Orkney.

Social work chairman, Councillor Keith Johnson, said: "We have the best record. At 24 per cent we are 11 per cent lower than the next lowest council for re-offending.

NHS Orkney has launched its annual report  for 2005-2006 with a tribute to its "hard-working and dedicated" staff.

Introducing the report, NHS Orkney Chair Jenny Dewar says that Health Minister Andy Kerr's recent description of the Board as "punching well above its weight" could be credited to good partnership working and the dedication of staff at all levels.

Scotland's agricultural and rural bodies have expressed "grave concerns" at the delay facing Scotland's Rural Development Plan and the "inadequacy"of the Scottish Executive's proposed measure to address it. 

They have called for an urgent meeting with Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie and want to see evidence as to why two alternative solutions have been deemed unacceptable.  

Councillors have recommended forging ahead with two new care homes, despite protests from South Ronaldsay councillor Cyril Annal.

Members of the OIC's social work committee agreed on Thursday to progress plans for a new 40-bed and 12-bed facility, and to explore the involvement of the voluntary and private sector and NHS Orkney.

Councillor Annal failed to get backing for a new 24-bed home in St Margaret's Hope, which he felt would be more financially viable. He expressed a fear that plans for a smaller, most costly, unit would inevitably be shelved.

He said: "I think this is the point that we can kiss the care home in the 'Hope goodbye. It is not my fault it is the fault of the committee. When they look at the detail they will say 'No. It is far too costly,' and it will end up not happening."

In light of a damning report on the OIC's housing service earlier this week, chairman of the social work and housing committee has hit out at Communities Scotland.

Councillor Keith Johnson told committee members on Thursday that the OIC chief executive will be writing to Communities Scotland raising concerns and that the OIC convener, and himself, would also be writing to the Scottish Executive expressing what they believe are the shortcomings of the housing agency.

He said: "As chairman I feel incensed by the way we have been dealt with by Communities Scotland. I would also like to say I have full confidence in the housing department at the council. Communities Scotland may feel the service is failing or poor, but it is not my view and I hope it is not your view either."

An 18-year-old man was jailed for seven months at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff Graeme Napier said that if he were to protect the people of Kirkwall, he had no option but send Michael Robert Scott Budge, of Kirklands Road, to prison.

The sentence came at a court session where four youths faced a string of vandalism charges, including seriously damaging the Boys Brigade Hall in Meadowbank.

On Thursday, Gerry and Evelyn Wilson, of Howequoy, Holm, won the Orkney Livestock Association's show of suckled calves for the second year in a row.

Their three-quarters Limousin steer took the overall championship ahead of a three-quarters Belgian Blue steer shown by Richard Taylor, of Brencherhouse, Birsay.

The show was judged by Stewart Wood, of Garson Farm, Sandwick. He said that although the reserve calf had more muscle, the Limousin was a better balanced animal.

There's a definite Orcadian flavour to the Scots Trad Music Awards this year - with three local nominations.

The Orkney Traditional Music Project is in the community project category, while Johnny Mowat was nominated for his services to the industry through the Orkney Folk Festival. Kris Drever is nominated for album of the year.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Wallace paid tribute to those involved in the work to restart the Kirbister water treatment works, which, he said, was no small feat. He then asked the Minister what progress was being made in repairing the damage to the Millburn bridge in Hoy.

The Stromness Community Business Forum hosted an open evening at the Old Academy on Wedneday night.

The event provided a unique opportunity to find out what is happening at, among others, Aquatera, ICIT, EMEC, Digitata, Tait & Style, NorthStar Newmedia and  Sula Diving.

According to Mike Craigie of CESS, these companies now employ over 80 people in the Stromness, most of them based at the old Academy.

Hallowe'en was not as tranquil in the West Mainland as it first appeared, with a number of serious incidents now coming to light.

Of particular concern to the Birsay community, is the damage caused to the old-style red telephone box at the end of the Marwick road (pictured right). The door was ripped off and the windows smashed, while the remains of a giant 'firework' were found inside. The damage is such that there are concerns it will not be replaced.

Meanwhile, mail was destroyed in Dounby after a firework was dropped into the Post Office mailbox and a number of trailers were 'relocated' around the countryside by pranksters.

Anyone with information on any of the above should call police on 872241.

VisitOrkney officially launched its new 2007 brochure in Kirkwall on Wednesday night. 

The brochure has been redesigned to have a more contemporary feel, and encourages potential visitors to “experience the magical ebb and flow of the tides and seasons.”

Plans to convert a building in Kirkwal's Victoria Street were deferred for further consultation on Wednesday.

Councillors on the OIC's planning committee were considering Orkney Housing Association's application for full planning permission to replace the former James M. Croy shop with a three-storey office.

The original planning application for a four-storey building was withdrawn in March, after a barrage of objections from neighbouring property owners.

Hallowe'en passed relatively quietly in the county on Tuesday night, although police have highlighted the 'stupidity' of a few pranksters.

Sergeant Eddie Graham said: "There were a couple of incidents of bales being placed across the road in Tankerness, near Bossack, and in Stenness. This presents a considerable road safety risk, particularly in the hours of darkness. We cannot over-emphasise the stupidity of this behaviour"

He added that the weather seemed to deter many venturing out and additional police patrols minimised further inappropriate behaviour.

A transmission fault disrupted the county's phone system for a period on Tuesday afternoon.

The fault in the radio network to Wideford Hill caused a loss of telephony on Orkney for one hour and 22 minutes. However, broadband and the 999 service were not affected.

Councillors at the OIC's planning committee meeting heard that the Scottish Executive has overturned a previous decision to refuse planning permission for a six-bedroomed guesthouse in Stenness.

After a site visit in February, the committee refused the application on the grounds that the development would affect road safety in the Button road area.

The need to conserve water has passed, says Scottish Water, with the Kirbister waterworks now fully operational and stocks returning to normal.

Paul Whitefoot, Scottish Water networks manager, said: “Whilst our Boardhouse water treatment works on the other side of the mainland worked overtime, staff pulled out all the stops, working day and night to turn valves to keep water kept flowing through the system.

Loganair unveiled the new livery for the inter-island Islander aircraft on Tuesday afternoon – a design based on the Highland Park's whisky branding.

The airline and Highland Park have joined forces to create a brand new image for the two Islanders, which have been fully refurbished inside and out and are liveried in the distillery's new identity.

Orkney Islands Council has been awarded a 'fair' rating for its housing management, but 'poor' for other services following an inspection by inspectors from Communities Scotland, the housing regulator.

The council was awarded a 'C' or 'fair' rating for its housing management, and 'D' or 'poor' ratings for its property maintenance and homelessness services following the inspection in June 2005.

Fanchea Kelly, head of inspection at Communities Scotland, said: "Our inspection identified clear improvements which the council has to put in place in its property management, homelessness and housing management services."

The OIC's Active Schools Team has issued a "use it or lose it" warning regarding six school's out clubs.

The current funding for the childcare clubs is ending and, without more support from local communities, the service will have to stop along with the funding.

The Big Lottery Fund grant-aided the Council by providing three years funding on a sliding scale, to help clubs establish themselves and become self-sustaining. This hasn’t happened and now most clubs will not be able to support themselves when the funding stops.

A burning hydro pole in Stromness parish left householders in an area of the West Mainland without power on Monday night.

Forty-seven houses lost power for eight hours, however, a further 133 homes had their supply cut for 45 minutes while engineers isolated the affected area.

A report from the member of the public alerted Scottish and Southern Energy to the burning pole. Hampered by poor weather and waterlogged fields, engineer worked through the night to restore the supply.

The emergency services on Junction Road on Monday night. (Pic: Graham Macdonald)

Around an inch of rain fell on Orkney on Monday, resulting in more areas of flooding.

Orkneydirect workers were back on standby on Monday afternoon, as police are also reminding drivers to take care on the road.

Once of the worst hit again was Kirkwall's Junction Road, sections of which were back under water for a period last night.

Multiple Sclerosis patients in Orkney face two months without treatment after the hyperbaric chamber flooded last week.

Secretary of the MS Therapy Centre, Bruce Mainland, said the cost of damage was expected to run into thousands of pounds. Now the charity are appealing for help in securing temporary new premises to allow physiotherapy and aromatherapy of patients to continue.

Mr Mainland said: "Anyone using the chamber is facing two months without treatment. If we can secure temporary premises we can, at least, continue alternative treatments."

Anyone who can help is asked to call the therapy centre chairman, Bob Adams, on 874693.

A motorist has been charged after driving through Kirkwall's flooded Junction Road last Thursday.

Kirkwall Sergeant Eddie Graham said the man was charged with careless driving after ignoring road closed signs, as residents attempted to sandbag their property to keep the water at bay.

Jim Wallace has written to Ross Finnie, the Minister for Environment and Rural Development, urging him to consider seeking a Highlands and Islands exemption from aspects of new EU regulations on the welfare of animals during transport.

The regulations come into force in January but, says Mr Wallace, seem to have been drafted with little consideration for the practical problems faced by Highlands and Islands farmers.

Kirkwall retailer, The Longship, is the winner of the prestigious "Restaurant Wine Supplier of the Year 2006" award.

Spokesman Duncan McLean said that they were "surprised and very pleased" to reach the finals, adding: "But to win is quite astounding!"

A Harray guesthouse has scooped an award at the 2007 Thistle Awards – the tourism "Oscars".

Rickla, Orkney's only five-star serviced accommodation, is run by Stewart and Jacky Anderson.

They beat off two other Ayrshire businesses to scoop the 'Customer Care: Guest House/B&B' Award, sponsored by VisitScotland.

Orkney building firm, John R. Aim, has taken the top prize for the energy efficiency category in the Scottish Master Builder of the Year Awards 2006.

The firm was chosen for the renovation and extension to a traditional Orcadian croft (pictured right) in Stenness to deliver an energy-efficient home. It was the owners, John and Sheena Leith, who nominated the company for an award. 

John R Aim will now go forward to the UK finals of the Master Builder of the Year Awards.

The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, Lewis Macdonald, has told Jim Wallace MSP that Scottish Ministers will accept his request for a meeting to discuss the current elderly care crisis.

Which minister would meet Jim Wallace and the OIC was, however, left open.