A public consultation has shown huge support for a path to be created to the war memorial in Kirkwall.

Members of the public made their views known at a drop in event over two days about the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative’s ‘Places and Spaces’ project.

The Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative is a £3.5 million project aimed at enhancing the heritage of Kirkwall. It is primarily funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Orkney Islands Council. The scheme has been running since July 2014 and will conclude in June 2019.

36 property grants have been agreed amounting to £1,666,962. This is in addition to £1,887,791 of private investment into Kirkwall’s historic buildings.

Project manager Richard Ritch said:

“The proposals reflect around 18 months of speaking with the Kirkwall BID, the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Council and other community groups. This meant ideas were developed from the bottom up, about areas of the town that people felt could be improved.”

“It’s especially heartening to see the almost universal support for the proposals for the War Memorial path – it’s a special place to many local people and visitors alike. Folk who came along to the drop-ins and talked through the plans with us were very supportive of the idea of providing more space and seating for people to linger and reflect.”

“The good level of support for the proposals at the other two sites I think reflects the public’s desire to see as much done as possible to support and promote the town and its heritage.”

146 Orkney residents completed a questionnaire at the two drop-in days in October  indicating their level of support for proposals for the head of Castle Street, head of Victoria Street, and the War Memorial path.

The Project has a pot of money of around £650,000 available for works for the Places and Spaces ideas.

A detailed report on the consultation will be discussed at Orkney Islands Council’s Policy and Resources Committee in late November