Tourist attraction efforts continue - situation update
(From The Orcadian dated: April 11, 2001)

The relaxation livestock movements rules in the county during the current foot-and-mouth crisis is no cause for complacency, according to Orkney Islands Council, who say that efforts to keep the disease out of Orkney greater than ever.

But while necessary restrictions are in place at some of Orkney's most popular attractions, efforts are continuing to try and ensure visitors can enjoy these sites, staying within guidelines issued to keep Orkney foot-and-mouth free.

Orkney Islands Council have provided funding to Orkney Tourist Board to employ guides who will travel daily on the ferry between Scrabster and Stromness, talking to visitors and providing up-to-date information on the sites which are open.

Val Cameron, OIC's principal environmental health officer, said yesterday: "All sites in Orkney are being risk assessed in accordance with national guidance, and the Tourist Board will be able to issue visitors with advice on those which are open."

"We would again stress how important it is for visitors and local people to pay careful attention to any cordons or advice notice at sites, and to use the disinfection facilities."

For people wanting to walk on local beaches, Ms Cameron said the advice was to go only where you could park your car and walk straight onto the shore, avoiding any sites where farmland was likely to be crossed.

Finally, she urged everyone in Orkney to pay careful attention to the following guidelines to ensure the county remains free of foot-and-mouth:

• Do not touch or feed farm animals.
• Do not enter enclosed fields with farm animals.
• Avoid farm steadings and yards
• Do not leave waste or scraps of food or litter.
• Do not park your car in areas where farm animals gather.
• Keep dogs on a lead at all times.
• Clean your boots and vehicles between visits to the countryside.
• Obey official signs.
• Respect advisory signs and request from farms and other land managers.

• Ring of Brodgar
• Skaill House
• Skara Brae Visitor Centre (not the site)
• Maeshowe, Maeshowe visitor centre and Tormiston Mill
• Tomb of the Eagles Museum (not the site)
• Italian Chapel
• RSPB reserves in Dounby and Papa Westray
• St Magnus Cathedral
• Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, Kirkwall
• Orkney Museum
• Highland Park Distillery
• Wireless Museum, Kirkwall
• Stromness Museum
• Pier Arts Centre
• Fossil and Vintage Museum
• Craft Trail attractions
• Celtian Jewellery
• Fursbreck Pottery
• Aurora Jewellery
• Ortak
• Traditional Orkney Crafts
• Scapa Crafts, Kirkwall
• Sheila Fleet Jewellery
• The Workshop