Hot off the press — magazine launch marks bright start for summer season

The county’s summer tourist season got of to a sparkling start today, as the annual Orkney Islander magazine hit shelves, following a special launch event in Kirkwall.

Industry representatives, business owners and featured advertisers attended the launch in VisitScotland’s iCentre, enjoying a spread of food and refreshments provided by The Blide Trust.

Orkney Islands Council’s harbour master, Jim Buck led the speeches, looking ahead to a very busy year in Orkney waters, with over 170 cruise ships due to call with us this year. VisitScotland’s development manager Orkney, Cheryl Chapman also spoke at the event, highlighting the organisation’s efforts over the past two years to promote responsible tourism, and help the industry to recover.

The magazine is produced annually by the team at The Orcadian newspaper, led by editor Leah Seator, and designed by Leigh Kennedy.
Welcoming all at the launch event, the business’s general manager, Craig MacInnes said: “I hope you will agree we have successfully produced a fantastic looking, informative and entertaining edition for 2022, showcasing all that Orkney has to offer, and the wonderful array of activities, nature, food and drink, craft, travel, accommodation and leisure that is available in our amazing island community.

“I am very proud of this year’s edition. Reading and enjoying it has reminded me once again of how fantastic it is to be Orcadian, and how high above its weight our peedie nation punches.”It has been an incredibly tough couple of years for us all, but here we are two years on, reflecting on what we have all just been through — thankfully we appear now to be coming out on the other side.
“I am extremely grateful to my team at The Orcadian for their tireless work in getting us through what has been an incredible and unprecedented challenge for us all. I too am very grateful to all our advertisers who have continued to support this fantastic and effective publication.”

This year’s magazine is the company’s biggest ever edition, and will have a wider reach than ever before. New for 2022, the publication will appear on Pressreader’s digital magazine platform, available free on board most major cruise liner operators, as well as in many large UK and international airports and hotels. The aim is to further grow the reach of The Orkney Islander magazine to UK and international audiences.
Pick up your copy now from a number of outlets across the county, and if you wish to stock this free magazine, contact The Orcadian on 879000 to arrange delivery. Alternatively, batches can be collected from our Hatston office in Kirkwall.