Latest News
Orkney to host majority of marine renewables sites
16/03/2010 12:13:00
THE majority of the successful bidders for the world's first commercial wave and tidal leasing round have been awarded sites in waters around Orkney, the Crown Estate has announced.
Marine renewables sites to be revealed
16/03/2010 10:44:00
THE scale of potential marine renewables developments in Orkney waters,
including the Pentland Firth, will become clear later today, Tuesday,
as the Crown Estate announces the successful bidders for seabed leases
for wave and tidal devices.
The announcement is due to be made at the Pickaquoy Centre at noon. It
is understood by Orkney Today that a high proportion - as much as 80% -
of the seabed leases due to be announced will be in Orkney waters.
Hascosay leaves Orkney
15/03/2010 14:53:00
THE NorthLink freight and livestock vessel Hascosay, which has been sold to a Middle East buyer left Kirkwall on Saturday, bound for Beirut.
Hascosay, which joined the NorthLink fleet eight years ago, was replaced by the newer and larger MV Hildasay three weeks ago. She has been purchased by a Jordanian buyer and will now be used for shipping livestock to Jordan from Brazil, Georgia and Romania.
Two wins for Orkney RFC in double-header weekend
14/03/2010 16:21:00
ORKNEY Rugby Club completed a successful double-header weekend on
Sunday afternoon with a 21-5 win away to Crieff & Strathearn,
following on from Saturday's 47-7 victory at Stirling University.
Sunday's match was described as 'a very hard game'. James Linklater and
Bruce Ruthven were missing for Orkney but Aberdeen-based Orcadian Keith
Oddie played for the travellers.
Dounby pharmacy refused
12/03/2010 16:16:00
The Pharmacy Practices Committee of Orkney NHS Board has refused to grant the application by NorsePharm Ltd. to provide pharmaceutical services in the building previously occupied by Headwest Hair Stylists at Vetquoy Road, Dounby, Orkney.
The committee concluded that although the current provision of pharmaceutical services in the neighbourhood was inadequate, they were not convinced of the viability of the proposal and decided not to grant the application.
A campaign by local people fought against the application for a pharmacy, claiming it would threaten Dounby GP Surgery.
New car park ticket machines
12/03/2010 15:37:00
Orkney Islands Council is advising car park users that new ticket machines will be in operation from Monday in the car parks on Great Western Road (North) and Burgh Road.
These car parks are located adjacent to the old Scarth Centre and the Police Station respectively.
In addition, new ticket machines have now been installed in the existing pay-and-display car parks in Kirkwall and Stromness.
Team Leader (Roads Support) Kenny Roy said: "The new ticket machines are very user friendly, and there are clear step-by-step instructions on each machine.
"Remember to make sure you display your parking ticket clearly - put it inside your vehicle on your dashboard so that the car park attendants can read the ticket through your windscreen."
Hascosay set to head east
12/03/2010 13:23:00
THE NorthLink freight and livestock vessel Hascosay has been sold to a Middle East buyer and she will be leaving Kirkwall in the next few days bound for Beirut.
Talented Orkney's Kirkwall heat sold out
11/03/2010 16:51:00
THE Kirkwall heat of the Talented Orkney competition, due to take place
in the Orkney Arts Theatre at 7.30pm on Saturday March 13, is now sold
out.
However, tickets are on sale for the grand final, which will be
held at the Pickaquoy Centre on Saturday, March 27. The show will feature the top
three acts from each of the heats, plus one wildcard entry.
There will also be music from Liberty Unplugged and the Stronsay Silver
Darlings.
Tickets for the final cost £6 each and are available from the CLAN shop and Bruces
Stores on Victoria Street, Kirkwall. Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm
start.
Go ahead for Kirkwall and St Margaret's Hope care homes
11/03/2010 13:05:00
ORKNEY Health and Care Shadow Board confirmed today, Thursday, that a formal agreement to fund the new health and social care residential facilities at St Margaret's Hope and Kirkwall has now been signed off.
This commits Orkney Islands Council
and NHS Orkney to the joint funding of both buildings and the cost of staffing
the facilities once complete.
FULL STORY IN ORKNEY TODAY NEXT WEEK
Anger over ferry sailing times
11/03/2010 10:58:00
ANGER is mounting in Orkney over an order from the Scottish Government to Northlink to increase the sailing time from Aberdeen to Kirkwall.
The efficiency drive to save fuel and costs by using two engines instead of four, will add an extra hour-and-a-half to the voyage.