An investigation was launched after the Shapinsay and Varagen ro-ro ferries collided in Kirkwall Bay. Both ships received minor damage after crashing together in dense fog on Friday, July 28.

Orkney Heritage Society joined the call to retain the powers of land ownership preserved under udal law, and in particular the rights of an individual to own the foreshore to low water mark.

In a letter to The Orcadian, heritage society vice-president Mr Sandy Firth explained that Orcadian Farmers were granted ownership of the foreshore by Earl Rognvald who sold these udal, or odal, rights in exchange for hard cash to help pay for the building of the St Magnus Cathedral. Mr Firth issued a call to local people to express their concern at any move to scrap these legal powers which date back over 800 years.

MSP Jim Wallace allayed the fears about udal laws later in the month, stating that it had been suggested udal law should indeed have more power.

The Orkney Auction Mart prepared to hold their first sale of live cattle since the foot-and-mouth crisis began. They were working in co-operation with local vets and government officials to ensure that all guidelines were adhered to.

Police raided the South Ronaldsay home of MS sufferer Biz Ivol, known for her outspoken views on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. several items were removed for analysis.

Orkney Rugby Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year was wiped out by bad weather. The dance marquee collapsed in the high winds and led to the cancellation of the annual show dance.

After hearing about the collapse of the marquee dance tent – Orkney Rugby Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year – Scots actor Ewan McGregor signed a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky and donated it to the club so it could be auctioned to kick-start their fundraising efforts.

The names of the three NorthLink ferries set to serve the Northern Isles were decided. The ferry that will serve Stromness and Scrabster is to be called Hamnavoe.

The two sister ships to service the Aberdeen/Kirkwall/Lerwick route are to be called Hrossey and Hjaltland. The name decided for the livestock/freight vessel was Hascosay.

The Golta peninsula was selected as the preferred site for the proposed container transhipment port in Scapa Flow.

The Kirkwall Branch of the Royal British Legion held a special parade marking the 80th anniversary of the branch.

Orkney said “farewell” to the two letters which have distinguished Orkney vehicles from the rest of the UK. On September 1, 2001 a new vehicle registration came into force which meant the end of the Orkney BS plate.

The BS letters had been in use since the first registered car rolled into the county at the beginning of the last century.

From September, Orkney vehicles were linked with the Highlands and Islands with registrations beginning with SX or SY.