News from Orkney Islands Council

The Red Ensign flag will fly this Monday 3 September over the Town Hall in Kirkwall as Orkney Islands Council joins UK-wide events in recognition of the nation’s merchant seafarers.

Merchant Navy Day is coordinated by the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association, and is aimed at raising awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on Merchant Navy seafarers, through public events and the hoisting of the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.

Two wreaths will be laid at the Kirk green War Memorial outside St Magnus Cathedral between 1045hrs and 1100hrs, by Lord Lieutenant Bill Spence and Council Convener Harvey Johnston.

Councillor Johnston said:

“In our island community, our everyday lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked to the sea – we depend on it and everyone who works on it for many of our goods. This year marks the centenary of the end of the Great War and we particularly remember those merchant sea farers who worked in treacherous conditions and made the ultimate sacrifice, alongside Royal Navy personnel, to maintain our country and to whom we owe our freedom, in great measures.”