The First Minister of Scotland , John Swinney, will pay his second visit to Orkney this month on Sunday 22 February. The First Minister was among several leading politicians who paid their last respects to Baron Wallace of Tankerness at his funeral on 10 February in St Magnus Cathedral.
On Sunday’s visit, the First Minister will be visiting some of Orkney’s successful businesses in the jewellery, food and drink and agriculture sectors. Later in the afternoon John Swinney will join the SNP candidate in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, Robert Leslie for a short walkabout in Kirkwall town centre followed by a social event at King Street Halls.
Commenting on the visit by the First Minister in support of his election campaign Robert Leslie said:
“I’m delighted to welcome the First Minster to Orkney again. John was also in the county in February 2025, when we held a Q&A meeting with members, and was here just last week in more sombre circumstances to pay his respects at the funeral of Jim Wallace.
“This time he will be making visits to several businesses and then joining us for a walk through Kirkwall town centre followed by an adoption event, to which I have invited along representatives of several organisations close to my heart to speak the the First Minister about their work. I am looking forward to seeing as many members and guests as possible along to meet John Swinney that afternoon.”
The First Minister is due to arrive in front of St Magnus Cathedral around 3.20pm, from where he and Robert Leslie will head down Albert Street and up Laing Street to the King Street Halls for the social event.
The adoption event, ahead of the Scottish Election on 7th May, is due to start at 3pm in the Hub at King Street Halls in Kirkwall, with teas and coffees and other refreshments, live music from young local band The Scaan. There will also be a raffle, some chat about the campaign from the First Minister and Robert Leslie.
Robert Leslie added:
“We will also have some Third Sector organisations and others along to chat to the First Minister about their work, including Women’s Aid Orkney, Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service, and THAW Orkney – all organisations with a family connection.
“Having regularly attended the Gaza ceasefire vigils in front of St Magnus Cathedral on a Saturday, I have also invited representatives of Orkney Friends of Palestine and Orkney Amnesty Group along to speak to the First Minister about their work to support folk in Palestine.”
Elections to the Scottish Parliament take place on Thursday 7 May.
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