Green light to investigate student and youth hostel for Kirkwall

A study could be carried out to determine the need for a youth hostel, incorporating student housing, within Kirkwall.

Councillors at today’s OIC development and regeneration committee heard that discussions had been held with the chief executive of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association over the possibility.

However, Evelyn Mathershaw, OIC strategic development officer, explained that further work needed to be done before progressing discussions.

A study, costing up to £7,000, she said, would ascertain the likely number of students, the number of weeks accommodation required, and accommodation specification.

Councillors recommended that the cost of the study be met from the strategies and studies budget.