New lighting for War Memorial

Kirkwall’s War Memorial is to be illuminated at night for the first time, with work starting this week to install four special lights.

The arched Memorial Gate on the Kirk Green will be lit from below using uplighters fitted at ground level.

Standing next to St Magnus Cathedral, the memorial commemorates residents of Kirkwall who were killed or posted as missing during the two World Wars. It is inscribed with 132 names from the 1914-18 conflict and 28 names from the Second World War.

The work under way this week follows on from a six-month project last year to replace the cathedral lights inside and out, which was funded by the Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral.

Bryan Taylor, chairman of the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Council and President of Kirkwall Royal British Legion, said: “It is splendid that the work is now under way and that the lights should be ready to be lit in time for Remembrance Sunday.

“Having the War Memorial illuminated at night has been a long held ambition for the community council and for the Kirkwall Royal British Legion.”

The work is being jointly funded by the Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral and the community council.