Several buildings in Kirkwall and parts of the town are seeing significant changes being made. The Orkney News previously published images of the Arcade, Garden Square.
The Albert Hotel, with a significant funding injection from Royal Bank of Scotland, has been able to expand what it can offer visitors to Orkney.
Established over two decades ago, the hotel has become a cornerstone for both leisure and business travel in the region. The new funding has enabled the hotel to extend its premises, adding 12 new rooms and relocating the reception and public areas to a more accessible and visible roadside site, addressing the high demand for accommodation in Orkney, particularly during the busy summer months.
Dawn Flett, Owner and Director of Albert Hotel Limited, said:
“Our hotel has been a vital part of the Kirkwall community for over 20 years and we’re delighted to have a banking partner that can both see our vision for the future and help us get there with supportive expertise and financial backing.
“This funding will allow us to expand our services and offer even better accommodation options to our guests. The new rooms and updated reception area will help us meet the increasing demand and improve the overall guest experience.”
The expansion project includes the development of modern, boutique style hotel rooms with luxury furnishings and a contemporary design to meet modern demands.
Latest estimates cited by the Chair of Destination Orkney suggest that the tourism boom is now worth £114m to the island’s economy, bringing with it a growing need for high-quality accommodation.
The project was recently completed in July 2025 and is looking to welcome customers into the newly developed rooms and reception right away.
Margaret Keenan, Relationship Manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, commented:
“We are delighted to support Albert Hotel Limited in their expansion. The whole team have shown incredible dedication to improving their services and accommodating the needs of their guests. This loan will help them continue to thrive and make a positive impact on the local economy.”
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