It was my honour and privilege  to  present the King's Award for Voluntary Service to the Kirkwall City Pipe Band at a ceremony in St Magnus Cathedral on March 22nd. The award is the equivalent of an MBE and recognises the significant contribution the Band has made, and continues to make, to the musical culture and heritage of Orkney, and to the well-being of those who live here  because of the uplifting joy they bring wherever they play. Huge congratulations to band members and volunteers, present and past, for an honour well-earned and most definitely well-deserved.

Three "weel kent" Orkney folk were recognised in the New Year's Honours List. Kenny Gee, Marty Flett and Tom Muir were all awarded MBEs for services to the Orkney community. See our Honours page for more details.

Across Orkney the trditional tree-lighting ceremonies have been taking place. There have been gatherings in the towns and villages, psrishes and islands to mark the season and to brighten our dark winter days.. 

This image from the StromnessOrkney Facebook page shows a Stromness tree shining beautifully in its surrounds.

Huge congratulations to ten members of Stromness Lifeboat Crew who received their King's Coronation Medals from Lord Lieutenant, Elaine Grieve, during a reception at Stromness Golf Club on Saturday, 30th November.

"We will remember them", perhaps the most famous line from Laurence Binyon's poem, "For The Fallen", rang out at ceremonies across the country as we paused our busy lives to remember the sacrifice made by so many.

Members of the Lieutenancy also laid wreaths in Longhope and Lyness, Sanday and Stromness.

Lest we forget.

In early November members of RNLI Kirkwall and their families and friends gathered to celebrate some of their volunteer crew members who were awarded the King's Coronation Medal. The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a commemorative medal that was awarded to mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023. Lord-Lieutenant, Elaine Grieve carried out the presentations on behalf of Their Majesties.

Here in Orkney we are very familiar with the story of the loss of HMS Royal Oak which was sunk at Scapa Flow on October 14th, 1939 with the loss of 833 officers and men. A detail not readily known is that 120 of those who perished were boy sailors, some as young as 15.

The story goes that when Churchill heard the news, tears sprang to his eyes and he muttered, ‘Poor fellows, poor fellows, trapped in those black depths.’

Each year on the anniversary of the disaster we gather at Scapa to remember all who were lost. 

*Photo of some of the boy sailors taken from an article reported in the Daily Express. 

Each year on September 3rd, we gather at the Memorial Gate in Kirkwall to remember those who served in the Merchant Navy, many of them paying the ultimate price for their country.

Photo credit, Captain Catherine Browne

The Lord-Lieutenant is supported each year by a Cadet and this year, Bdr Robert Tullock has been appointed.

We were all delighted to hear that three of Orkney's citizens had each been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List.

John Corse, for services to the Orkney Community

Anne Gregg, for services to healthcare in Orkney

Angus Heddle, for services to the RNLI and the community in Longhope, Orkney.

Such super news, hearty congratulations to them all!

It is true to say that you can learn something new every day. Here we see the Lord-Lieutenant getting a lesson in the use of the pace stick from Orkney and Shetland Battery BSMI, Fraser Coltherd.

Photo credit Captain Catherine Browne

In a short, but poignant ceremony at the Memorial Gate in Kirkwall, people gathered to remember those who had served, or lost their lives, during the D-Day landings 8o years ago. Orkney had played an enormous part in the war, but we can only imagine the relief felt here and further afield when it became known that the events of 6th June 1944 were to mark the turn of the tide, and the end of the war.

Ably supported by volunteer Becky Tait, the Lord-Lieutenant planted a tree to commemorate the coronation of the King and Queen. You can visit it, and the tree panted to mark the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee, in Tankerness House Gardens in Kirkwall.

On a blustery April day, the presentation party flew out to the island of Westray to conduct Nancy Scott's BEM investiture. 

Annie Groat Scott, or Nancy as we know her, was awarded the BEM for services to her local island community of Westray here in Orkney. Retired teacher Nancy is a well known figure in the island, having served on the Westray Heritage Trust and written and contributed to several books on local history.

The wonderful farmers of Orkney treated their communities to a fantastic spectacle of decorated tractors between Christmas and the new year with their annual fund-raising event. We all enjoyed it so very much and thank them all for the important work they do in raising money for local charities. 

Photo credit, Neil Chalmers.

On a crisp November morning communities across Orkney, however large or small, gathered to pay their respects to those who lost their lives or were injured during the two world wars - or in the conflicts that, despite hopes that there would be no more war, have sadly followed.

Photo Credit, Orkney Photographic.

As is customary, relatives, Navy Personnel, members of the Royal British Legion and others gathered at the Royal Oak Memorial at Scapa to pay their respects to those souls lost when HMS Royal Oak was torpedoed in October 1939. The Lord-Lieutenant led the wreath-laying ceremony on a cold and blustery day.

We were all so very sad to hear of the passing of former Lord-Lieutenant, George Marwick, CVO. George had served as Lord-Lieutenant from 1997 -2007.

The Lord-Lieutenant was delighted to have been invited to open the Orkney West Mainland Flower, Produce & Industrial Show in August of 2023. Like so many in attendance, she stated afterwards that she had been so impressed by the variety and quality of the the entries submitted by keen crafters, artists, gardeners and bakers spanning all ages.

James Stockan, leader of Orkney Islands Council was made an MBE for services to local government in the King's Birthday Honours list.

He said it was as a mark of the work of everyone – the community, councillors and officers – who made Orkney the incredible place it was.

Photo credit The Orcadian

Neil Kermode was awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for services to renewable energy and to the community in Orkney.

Neil has been Managing Director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), in Orkney, Scotland, since 2005, driving the company’s growth and diversification.

Today EMEC is the world’s leading test and demonstration site for wave and tidal energy, as well as a world-renowned innovation catalyst pioneering the transition to a clean energy future.

Photo credit EMEC

The Lord-Lieteunant was delighted to present Cadet Bombardier Esme Richards with her certificate marking her appointment to the role of Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet. Esme will serve for one year.

Also in June, Corporal David Petrie, Major Bruce Durrand and Captain Catherine Browne were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant's Certificate for Meritorious Service.

The Lord-Lieutenant wa sinvited to attend the Coronation of Their Majesties in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6th May. On her return, she reported that it was her honour and privilege to take a wee bit of Orkney down to participate in this most significant event in the nation's history.

The rowan tree which formed part of the Tree of Trees sculpture which stood outside Buckingham Palace for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, has now been planted having been cared for over winter by the team at The Yard Plant Nursery in Kirkwall. We wish it well and look forward to seeing it flourish in its new home within Tankerness House Gardens.

In a rare moment of history, three Lord-Lieutenants of Orkney were captured for posterity. This photograph was taken at a lunch hosted by Bill Spence, Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney from 2014 - 2020, to celebrate the 91st birthday of former Lord-Lieutenant George Marwick seated in the centre. George was Lord-Lieutenant for the period 1997 - 2007. On his left is Elaine Grieve, the current Lord-Lieutenant appointed in 2020.

Mechanic at the RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat Station, Dupre Strutt, received an MBE in the New Year's honours list for services to maritime safety.

Michael Dickson, interim chief exeutive of NHS Orkney was awarded an OBE in the New Year's honours list for services to healthcare during the covid19 pandemic.

For the first time since December 2019, St Magnus Cathedral was filled with people from near and far all gethered together to participate in the annual tree lighting ceremony. Kirkwall's tree, a gift from Norway, shines brightly through the festive season, a symbol of friendship and hope of peace to come.

Remembrance Sunday was a bright, crisp day, perfect for the return of the first full ceremony of remembrance in Kirkwall since 2019. Service men and women were similarly remembered in a number of ceremonies across Orkney.

On October 14th we remembered the lost souls aboard HMS Royal Oak. Gone but not forgotten.

Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay made a private visit to Melsetter House where he was given a tour of the estate by owner Richard Groat and His wife Inez. The Duke also met with members of the local community at the YM Hall.

Marlene Croy was presented with her BEM by the Lord-Lieutenant in a short ceremony in St Magnus Cathedral attended by family and friends.

After a break of two years several people from Orkney attended the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Among them were Jean Leonard and John Copland both recipients of the MBE in 2019.

The long weekend of June 2 - 5th June saw many celebrations of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee across Orkney.

On 1st June Cadet Bombardier Freya Laing began her one year period of service as Lord-Lieutenant's cadet. She received her commission from the Lord-Lieutenant at Weyland Army Centre in Kirkwall.

On May 30th, local company Ship2Shore arranged a special event in conjunction with local school Glainess Primary to raise 70 Union Jacks along the pier in Kirkwall, each flag marking one year of the Queen's reign.

The Lord-Lieutenant presented badges and awards to the 1st Kirkwall Company Boys' Brigade at their annual awards ceremony. She said, "I was delighted to be able to attend and present the badges and awards to the BB's at their annual event. It was lovely to see the joy and pride on each face as they accepted their awards."

It was my honour to present John Copland with his MBE in St Magnus Cathedral on Tuesday, 5th April, more than two years after he was named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

COVID thwarted plans for John to attend firstly at Buckingham Palace in June, 2020 and then at Windsor Castle in November, 2021 for Royal recognition of his services to agriculture and the rural community in Scotland.

A "Jubilee wood" of 70 trees was planted at the Happy Valley on Saturday 26th March. One tree was planted to commemorate each year of the Queen's reign and will be a permanent tribute to Her Majesty's remarkable service to the country. It was an honour to be part of the process and I very much look forward to watching them grow.

Happy Valley is one of Orkney's special places. A beautiful oasis carved out of the hillside over many years by a very special man called Edwin Harrold. In the green spaces around his cottage he created a rare garden of trees and blossoms that would be a haven for wildlife. After his death the site has been looked after by the Friends of Happy Valley established to continue Edwin's legacy.

A dark cloud hangs over us as we think of those suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine with so many people forced to flee their homes with only the possessions they could carry. I am so proud of our small community which, as it always does when it hears a cry for help, has rallied round to provide much needed support and love to those now dispossessed. May there please be an end to this conflict soon ...

On this day in 1952, Princess Elizabeth, aged only 25, became our Queen. Whilst we celebrate her remarkable 70 years of service, we must also remember that the day of her accession to the throne was also the day her beloved father died. Through the grief and the loss, Princess Elizabeth became a truly remarkable Queen, serving her nation through the best and worst of times with great strength and dignity. 

The Lord-Lieutenant, Elaine Grieve, has - following Her Majesty the Queen’s approval - appointed Deputy Lieutenant Sarah Scarth, to the role of Vice Lord-Lieutenant. In her role, Sarah will stand in for the Lord-Lieutenant if she is absent, sick or otherwise unable to attend. 

A keen runner Sarah is a former Chair of Orkney Athletic and Running Club.

During Advent there are many tree lighting ceremoies throughtout Orkney. On Saturday 4th December there may have been a strong breeze from the north, but it was lovely nonetheless to see folk, young, and not so young, turn out to see the lighting of the Christmas tree which stands in front of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Each year this tree is gifted to Orkney from our friends in Norway and it means so much to have it brighten the dark days of midwinter.

We gathered on Broad Street in Kirkwall to hear, for the first time in two years, the welcome sound of Kirkwall City Pipe Band as the Pipe Major led the parade from the Royal British Legion to the War Memorial. Although once again impacted by covid restrictions, people had gathered to share in the act of remembrance. It was my great honour to join them and to lay a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty.

Photo credit Sarah Louise Drever

It was a thoroughly miserable day of wind and rain but that did not dampen the resolution of those family members who had travelled hundreds of miles to pay their respects on the anniversary of the loss of the ship. They were joined by the Lord-Lieutenant who was accompanied by Cllr Dr Stephen Clackson who lost an uncle on board the ship, members of the Royal British Legion, and many Orkney folk representing sea-faring organisations.

On October 13th the Lord Lieutenant joined a small group in St Magnus Cathedral to witness the bell of HMS Royal Oak become whole once again. Click the link below for the full story and more.

Photo credit "The Orcadian"

Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September

We may have been fewer in number but there was a small gathering at the War Memorial in Kirkwall to lay wreaths, say a few words and pay our respects to those men and women of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives serving the people of the UK and further afield.

On the 20th of August the Lord-Lieutenant attended a service and then a talk on the Northern Pilgrim's Way at Kirkwall's East Church.

At a ceremony in Kirkwall the Royal Navy's Northern Diving Group were granted the Freedom of Orkney in recognition of their outstanding work in the county over many years.

The honour was presented to the Diving Group by Council Convener Harvey Johnston before they were led by musicians from the Royal Marines Band Scotland on a ceremonail march through the town - with bayonets fixed, drums beating and with colours flying!

The Lord-Lieutenant Of Orkney at a ceremony unveiling the cannons meticulously restored by the troops at Weyland Park. Those involved are immensely proud to have had the opportunity to restore the relics and preserve their history for future generations.

Former Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Skye Taylor has had a glittering career attaining her 3 Star and 4 Star Certificates and badges, Master Cadet Certificate and badge. Master Cadet is the highest award achievable in the Army Cadet Syllabus and is the pinnacle of a Cadet's career. We are all very proud of her achievements and look forward to learning of the achievements to come.

Bomabardier William Dougall received his certificate confirming his appontment as a Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet. He joins Cadet Flight Sergeant Morven Donaldson in the role for the coming year.

Sarah Scarth, DL presents flowers on behalf of the Lieutenancy to Barbara Jolly on her 100th birthday. Very many ongratulations Barbara!

Nursery children on an outing to look at the boats down the pier had a most unexpected surprise when they met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. What followed was the most delightful exchange which you can see by clicking the link below.

Tuesday, May 25th 2021 was a very special day for our community. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (the Earl and Countess of Strathearn whilst in Scotland) visited Orkney for the very first time. Covid restrictions meant that news of the visit could not be shared in advance for fear of gathering crowds and breaching social distancing requirements. Sadly this denied many the opportunity to provide the kind of welcome our community is well-known for, but we very much hope that a chance to do so presents itself in the fututre. 

During their stay Their Graces formally opened our new hospital, The Balfour.

Photo credit, The Orcadian

Buckingham Palace announces the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away this morning, Friday 9th April 2021 at Windsor Castle. On hearing the sad news people in Orkney joined others across the nation in mourning the passing of Prince Philip who had played a prominent role in the life of our nation for almost 75 years.

The Lord-Lieutenant said, 

“We will remember Prince Philip for the very many achievements in his life, but above all for his unwavering support for Her Majesty the Queen, not only as loyal consort but as her husband showing her selfless devotion during their almost 74 years of marriage.”

Prince Philip visited Orkney with Her Majesty the Queen in 1960 visiting Stromness, St Magnus Cathedral, Skara Brae, Stronsay and Westray. 

The Lord-Lieutenant went on to say, 

"There will be those among us who have happy memories of royal visits to our shores but today our sympathies and deepest condolences go to those who have suffered the greatest loss, Her Majesty The Queen, and all members of The Duke’s family.”

Photo credit Orkney Image Library

Memorial Service from St Magnus Cathedral

In the week following the death of Prince Philip a short memorial service was recorded in St Magnus Cathedral. You can see the service by clicking on the link below.

The Lord-Lieutenant participated in a short socially-distanced wreath-laying ceremony in Stromness on Merchant Navy Day, 3rd September, 2020.

Photo, Craig Taylor

As we start 2021 with hopes of better days to come, it is hugely uplifting to see that Kirkwall’s Marlene Croy has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her voluntary service to St Magnus Cathedral and the wider Orkney community. Marlene has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for meritorious civil service.

The covid-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it and caused so many to have suffered the loss of a loved one. Plans that we once thought were fixed in stone were thrown into disarray, no more so than for those who were in receipt of honours in the New Year or Birthday Honours Lists. Under normal circumstances the recipients would receive their honour from the Queen or her representative but, for Jean Leonard MBE things were different. Rather than wait any longer Jean elected to receive her MBE from the Lord-Lieutenant Elaine Grieve on Sunday 6th December before a small audience of friends with family connecting by Zoom.

A small number of people representing Orkney's many services and organisations gathered at the War Memoral in Kirkwall on Remembrance Sunday to pay their resects for the fallen. Lest we forget ....

On Saturday 5th December the Convener of Orkney Islands Council invited a few guests to join him and the Norwegian Consul for Orkney, Leslie Burgher to mark the arrival of the tree gifted to us from our friends in Norway. Although there was no crowd, no music and no service in St Magnus Cathedral it still marked the start of our Christmas season - a beacon of light in the darkness, a sign of hope renewed.

March heralds the start of Spring, but here in Orkney it also reminds us of a time when our community suffered a terrible loss. On March 17th 1969, a night of fierce winds and high seas, the Longhope Lifeboat answered a call for help, without hesitation. The crew left the shelter of their homes to save others but they were never to return. The tiny community of Brims lost husbands, brothers, fathers and uncles shattering families forever. Each year we remember them and the sacrifice they made and the courageous journeys their remaining families endured and still endure to this day.

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, Remembrance events will not be able to take place in the usual way.  You can, however, ‘Remember From Home’ and there are many ways in which you can do this. The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal page includes ideas for how you can show your support.  You can take part in a fundraising event, place a poppy poster in your front window or visit the online poppy shop to purchase your poppy or other poppy related merchandise. 

Orkney has had it's fair share of snow in recent days and through it all the community rallied round to help those in need. From roads teams to vaccinators, from police, key workers, posties, couriers, tractor drivers and kind neighbourly "snow angels", you were all there. Thank-you.

Photo Credit "The Orcadian".

The Lord-Lieutenant paid her respects at a short ceremony at Scapa to mark the anniversary of the loss of HMS Royal Oak, torpedoed by the German U-boat, U-47 on October 14th, 1939. Of Royal Oak's complement of 1,234 men and boys, 835 were killed that night or died later of their wounds.

Keith Welbon representing the Royal Naval Assocation laid a wreath at the memorial of those who were lost in the sinking of HMS Royal Oak. (Orkney Photographic)

The Lord-Lieutenant was able to welcome a group of naval patrol boats as they stopped in Orkney for a few days exercise in the summer. All socially-distanced and appropriately managed of course!

In her first duty as Lord-Lieutenant, Elaine performs a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally acknowledge the arrival of the Army Reserves new military vehicle to be based in Orkney. 

Photo, Craig Taylor

Bill Spence, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney retires from his duties.

Photo, Orkney Islands Council

Bill Spence presents Elaine Grieve with the Lieutenancy flag in a handover ceremony to mark his retirement and Elaine's succession to the role of Lord-Lieutenant of the county.

Photo, Orkney Photographic.