Otter Bank celebrations take place

A celebration of the renovation work which has been carried out on the historic former floating bank, the Otter Bank, which served in the North Isles in the 1960’s, was as marked in Lyness today.

Those involved in returning the boat to Orkney, and the groups and individuals who have spent over 1000 hours of voluntary work into the project, were recognised for their hard work and dedication.

The National Commercial Bank/Royal Bank of Scotland ran the bank boat service to the North Isles between 1962 and 1970. It was sold in 1970, and rediscovered at a boatyard on the River Mersey in the early 1990s. When the owner decided to sell the boat, he offered her back to Orkney.

Jude Callister, acting custodian at the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum, where the boat is displayed, said: “The project is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working in partnership with other organisations, local businesses and the voluntary sector.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Fund for Acquisitions, managed by the National Museums of Scotland, along with the Friends of Orkney Boat Museum, and NorthLink Ferries, provided support to purchase Otter Bank for the Orkney Arts, Museums and Heritage collection.

Support for the restoration was also received from George Bain’s, J.M.F. Groat, and Friends of the Orkney Boat Museum.