Flooding from surface water and small watercourses is possible on Thursday evening and Friday due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. There is a low likelihood of localised property flooding, flooding of roads and disruption to infrastructure where the heaviest rain falls on built up areas. Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take […]
While temperatures soar today, heavy downpours are also on the horizon.
People with a disability, students, carers and those on a low income or living alone could be due a Council Tax discount of between 25 and 100 per cent.
In May 29th 1926 an Evie boy who was supposed to be tending cattle up on the hill decided to set fire to the heather there. Being a dry month the fire spread rapidly and soon had destroyed what was described in the Sheriff Court as ‘one of the most valuable of the shootings on […]
265 children in Gaza have been killed since the ‘Ceasefire’ of October last year, 2025. James Elder, of the UN’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that “They were shot, they were bombed, they were struck by quadcopters” operated by the Israeli military. The killings took place in their homes, where they go out to play with […]
The Two Families of Jack Singh by Dr Sunil Angris is an Indian saga set in Orkney. When a father’s double life is discovered after his death, huge emotions are experienced by his family. Peace and understanding are the watch words for the deceived wife who contemplates the enormous burden and strain keeping his secret […]
Gavin Sutherland was left with painful burns on his thigh.
Israel has placed children’s surgeon Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya into solitary confinement. Dr Safiya came to the attention of the world when he was seen leaving his besieged hospital and walking alone towards an Israeli tank in Gaza. On June 3, 2026, Israeli forces transfered Dr Safiya from Naqab Prison to solitary confinement in Nafha […]
755 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics. Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household. Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative […]
"The food is wonderful, especially as it is locally sourced."
These 30-minute shows, directed by Darren Brownlie, take opera out of the theatre into unexpected places all over the country and are ideal for anyone new to the art form who would like to try a taster of these classics.
By Bernard Argente. For centuries, Orcadians have been resilient against invasions, world wars, and even tsunamis. Nowadays, the contemporary Orcadian isn’t as worried about warfare and natural disasters as they are about the compounded council tax increase of 21.9% over two years. Councillor Steve Heddle said that in his 18 years as a councillor he […]
“The cumulative effects of Israel’s conduct in Gaza since 7 October 2023, which compounded the damaging effects of over 58 years of occupation and 18 years of blockade and closure of the strip, created conditions of life incompatible with Palestinians’ continued existence as a group in much of Gaza” – United Nations, Human Rights Overview […]
Celebrity chef James Martin admits he "fell in love" with one "spectacular" group of Scottish islands as he urged people to visit and experience the incredible seafood on offer
"This is a varied, hands-on position that changes with the seasons."
This is part of a research project into changes in landownership in Orkney. The landscape we view in Orkney today of fenced fields and stone dykes is one of relatively recent times. For hundreds of years islanders lived in communities built upon a system of farming in rigs. Runrig in Orkney Many readers will be […]
The Long Arm of the Law, 1891. “It was not often that a case of this kind occurred in Orkney. “ On 5 December 1890, Peter Linklater, a cattle dealer and farmer of Innertown, travelled into Stromness with the considerable sum of £30 in notes in his pocketbook. It was to be several days later […]
Orkney was represented at VisitScotland Connect 2026 by Destination Orkney alongside tourism operators who met face-to-face with domestic and international travel buyers over two days of prearranged meetings at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Among the businesses attending VisitScotland Connect 2026 was ORKNEYiNGA TOURS, a tour business offering bespoke guided tours of Orkney mainland –…
Heavy showers cleared away on Sunday 17 May, and the crowds of visitors and locals who had come into Kirkwall to see The Tog were not disappointed. The Tog, is a procession, and is part of the celebrations to mark Norwegian Constitution Day. Norway has not always been the independent nation it is today, and […]
Today, Saturday 16 May, islanders in Orkney will gather between 1 and 2pm on the Kirk Green, outside St Magnus Cathedral, in a Peace Vigil for the people of Gaza. They will also be joining with the millions around the world remembering The Nakba . What was (and is) The Nakba? The Nakba, or catastrophe, […]
In 1529 a bloody battle took place in the hills of Stenness with hundreds dead and many more wounded. What was this battle about and what were the repercussions for Orkney ? The Orkney Museum in Tankerness House, Kirkwall, is a great place to start for those curious about the history of the islands. Upstairs, […]
By Bernie Bell. I’ve walked past this stone which sticks out of a wall by a corner in Queen Street, Kirkwall, many times, and often wondered what it was for The hole goes right through it Maybe a tethering post? …..which would take it back quite a way in time. There must be some history […]
Owners Richard and Sally swapped the London rat-race for Argyll - and have lived happily without neighbours for nine years.
By Bernie Bell. The Orkney Archaeology Review arrived – as we’re members of the Orkney Archaeology Society, we get it FREE! I recognized the people on the front cover as I’d met them in St. Ninians https://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=17467 My article is a lay-person’s response to the exhibition, whereas the article in the Review…… ‘Rebuilding Ancient Faces’ is by Tobias […]
Elections to the Scottish Parliament took place on Thursday 7 May, with the counting of votes on Friday 8 May. Voters were electing 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). All those registered to vote had 2 votes: 1 vote (First Past the Post system) for a Constituency MSP, and 1 vote (proportionally allocated through […]
There were 7 seats to be allocated to the Highlands and Islands Region. The following political parties secured seats after the votes were distributed. Reform UK : 2 seats , (up 2) Scottish Greens: 2 seats, (up 1) Scottish National Party : 1 Seat Liberal Democrat : 1 Seat (up 1) Conservative : 1 Seat […]
Registered voters:17,841 Turnout: 57.6% Change in turnout since 2021:−7.8%
Two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, crewed by a rotating team of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, sailed into Stromness on Wednesday 6th May , as part of the Full Circle Expedition. The voyage, coordinated by local veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, […]
Formal identification is yet to take place but the family of Justin Evans have been informed after a body was found near Orkney.
Officers from Police Scotland say a body was discovered near the Orkney island of Stronsay at around 7.30am on Wednesday.