Further improvement works due at Orkney kirkyards

A programme of improvement across Orkney’s burial grounds has been extended by a year.

The £1.66m programme has seen the completion of five new burial grounds, comprising of four extensions in Holm, St Peter’s (South Ronaldsay), Orphir, and Cross (Sanday) — as well as a new site at Leaquoy in Stronsay.

Two further extensions at St Olaf’s and Firth are in progress and number of repair works have also been carried out to existing grounds, including the repair of boundary walls.

With the programme due to have finished in March 2022, it has now been extended by a year in order to carry out additional works including a disabled access route at St Olaf’s Cemetery and the installation of a hardcore path at Brinian in Rousay.

The council are also working on plans to provide strip foundations (plinths) for the installation of new memorials across a number of sites.

It is anticipated that over 1,000 lairs worth of plinths will be installed around Orkney

Councillor David Dawson, chairman of the council’s development and infrastructure committee said: “The council has made significant investment in Orkney’s burial grounds over a number of years and I’m pleased to see the programme being extended to take into account these two additional projects, which will make a big difference to those attending the cemeteries to pay respects to their loved ones.”

Further information on the burial grounds is available at — https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/B/burial-services.htm