Livestock farmers need an urgent lift in the prices they are paid if supermarkets are to have continued supplies of local food, according to NFU Scotland.

According to the union, the price of grain for animal feed has doubled over the last year and these spiraling costs have driven livestock farmers into a loss-making situation.

NFUS President Jim McLaren said: “Is it not an exaggeration to say the Scottish livestock industry is facing a meltdown unless the spiraling cost of rearing and taking care of livestock is reflected in the prices farmers are paid."

Migrant workers in Orkney do not affect average wage rates or cause significant displacement of local workers in Orkney.

That is the conclusion of a consultant’s report which was before members of the OIC’s development committee.

The report suggested that there were between 150 and 250 migrant workers in Orkney in 2006, mostly Polish males in semi and unskilled positions.

The report went on to suggest the production of a guidance booklet for employers, focusing on legal issues, along with a booklet for migrants. In addition, it suggests language and translation services be investigated further.

Kirkwall lifeboat was launched on Wednesday to assist a vessel with engine trouble two miles of Sandquoy in the Westray Firth.

The Serene, with two people on board, was taken under tow just before 6pm and transferred to Tingwall.

The 17th Orkney International Science Festival was officially opened in Kirkwall on Thursday afternoon.

From next Tuesday, 32 staff from Orkney Towage Ltd, based at Scapa Flow, are balloting with the possibility of taking strike action.

The pay dispute was begun after an offer from Orkney Towage Ltd of 2.5 per cent was declined.

Tommy Campbell of TGWU, said: “Once the ballot comes through they may serve the final notices for strike action. However this will only be starting at the earliest of the end of September, beginning of October.”

The result of the ballot will be known on Monday, 17 September. At this time the decision will be taken as to whether or not further industrial action is needed.

Police are appealing for information after an assault on Kirkwall’s Burnmouth Road earlier this month.

The incident took place on Sunday, August 19, around 1am, and police would like to speak to a dark-haired man who was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and jeans who was nearby.

Following an anonymous call to police, a 35-year-old man has been traced in relation to a vandalism to a window at the Harbours Building on Kirkwall pier.

RSPB Scotland supporters showed overwhelming support towards the RSPB marine campaign by presenting Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, with over 4000 pledges in Kirkwall on Thursday.

Mr Lochhead said: “I am delighted to meet with the RSPB during my visit in Orkney to accept the pledge cards supporting the Scottish government’s commitment to the Marine Bill. It is a pleasure to see this level of support for marine protection and that there is a greater awareness than ever before of the importance of sound management of our marine environment and promoting the sustainable use of our coasts and seas.”

The first step in developing a recycling centre at Hatston got the go ahead from councillors on Wednesday.

The “waste reclamation facility” is likely to be sited at the former culling station and adjacent land at Crowness Road and Grainshore Road.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead was in Orkney on Wednesday, hosting a public meeting in the Pickaquoy Centre.

There, the minister answered questions on pressing rural, marine and environmental issues.

The Hair Studio in Kirkwall's Anchor Buildings is to change hands.

Owner Elizabeth Leslie has sold the business to hairdressers Tara Kirkpatrick and Sheree Peace.

While handing over the reins on September 29, Elizabeth will continue working as a hairdresser out of the premises.

There were no ferry services to the outer North Isles for three days as Orkney Ferries crew members began three days of industrial action.

The strike, over pay and conditions, saw no sailings on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, other than from Westray to Papay.

Three-quarters of all vacant Orkney Housing Association Ltd (OHAL) properties are to be made available to the OIC to house the homeless.

Councillors at Tuesday's meeting of the social services and housing committee heard that under the Housing Act, Orkney Islands Council can refer homeless households to OHAL for permanent rehousing.

An Ayrshire man was fined £1,200 and banned from driving for 30 months at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Appearing from custody, Paul O' Neill, of Barclough Drive, Coylton, admitted driving while more than three times the legal alcohol limit on the main Kirkwall to Stromness road on Monday morning.

He further pled guilty to driving a van while disqualified, with no insurance and failing to stop and give his name and address.

He denied colliding with another van and failing to report the accident, which was accepted by the court.

As part of ongoing discussions concerning the recent proposals from Orkney Islands Council regarding job evaluation and single status, a meeting was held on Monday night in Kirkwall.

Union spokesman Bruce Crabtree, said: “At the meeting, a number of concerns were expressed about the proposals, which will be fed back to the council as a matter of urgency.

“The council have agreed to consider any feedback, with a view to implementing a new pay and grading structure, with the agreement of the trade unions.” 

He added: “The GMB is currently balloting its members on these proposals.”

Between 10am and 1pm on Sunday, a parked Renault Scenic was struck, and damaged, by another vehicle, possibly a large white vehicle in the OIC car park.

Police would like to hear from anyone with information on the identity of the white vehicle.

A 25-year-old man appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday afternoon after spending a weekend in custody.

Jason Lee Simpson, from Kirkwall, was appearing in connection with an alleged assault in Kirkwall's St Ola hotel on Friday.

Simpson made no plea or declaration and was released on bail, with a curfew imposed between 7pm and 7am daily.

A man who breached his bail conditions was remanded in custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday.

Michael Sinclair Windwick, 40, of Slater Street, Kirkwall, admitted the breach by contacting via text message a member of his family.

Sentence was deferred until September 5.

Isla Tait receiving an activity pack as the 1000 young visitor to the Pier Arts Centre.

Isla Tait from Kirkwall was presented recently with an activity pack to mark her visit to the Pier Arts Centre. Isla was the 1000 young visitor to visit the gallery since it re-opened in July.

Orkney Ferries is seeking urgent talks with the three trade unions involved in the current dispute with ferry crew members.

After a meeting of the Orkney Ferries board on Friday, an amended offer was agreed and will be put to the staff involved.

If a resolution isn't reached, a three-day strike will begin on Wednesday.

A driver is to be reported to the procurator fiscal after his vehicle collided with a dyke on Old Scapa Road at the weekend.

The alleged incident occured around 5.30am on Sunday morning, near Crantit Park.

Police say the driver was subsequently traced.

People are wanted to be part of the congregation during filming of Songs of Praise in the St Magnus Cathedral next month.

Owing to the need to record pictures and sound separately, to deliver a higher quality of programme, filming will take place over two nights — Monday, September 17, and Tuesday, September 18.  Songs of Praise was last filmed in St Magnus Cathedral, in 1994.