Orkney Dates and Events 2009

Orkney Brown Trout Season - March to September www.orkneytroutfishing.co.uk

Fishing is FREE, with a choice of lochs to suit most tastes. Subscription to the local Trout Fishing Association supports the fishery and gives access to loch side facilities. Various competitions from May to September.

Orkney Cheilidh Weekend - April
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk

Orkney Traditional Dance Association have organised a programme of dance events with dance workshops throughout the day. There will be something for all abilities.

Orkney Jazz Festival – April
www.stromnesshotel.com

Based at the Stromness Hotel, this is a weekend of mainly traditional jazz by visiting and local performers, which includes the now traditional Annual jazz Festival Service of Praise @ St. Magnus Church, Birsay, led by Bill Salmond's Louisana Ragtime Band.

Hoy Half Marathon – June

Scotland’s most scenic and friendly Half-Marathon. Various age categories, including veterans, and children’s events for those aged 5-17. Transport provided from the Orkney Mainland.

Orkney Folk Festival – May
http://www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

The Orkney Folk Festival celebrates 27 years of bringing the best modern and traditional folk music to the people of Orkney, with visiting artists from around the globe, and a healthy sprinkling of Orkney musicians, fill island venues with live music. The Festival features mainly traditional music with visiting musicians and local talent in concerts, ceilidhs, stomps, festival clubs,workshops and informal sessions. Based in Stromness with events also staged in the rural areas and smaller islands.

Stromness Midnight Golf Competition – June
www.stromnessgc.co.uk

Midnight foursomes, starting approx 8pm. Enjoy the light night and Orcadian hospitality at it's best!

St Magnus Festival - June
http://www.stmagnusfestival.com

The prestigious St Magnus Festival, Orkney's midsummer celebration of the arts, is renowned for its unique blend of world-class performance and community participation. The Festival attracts capacity audiences from throughout the UK and further afield to events held in Kirkwall's magnificent St Magnus Cathedral and in other lovely venues throughout the Orkney.

Stromness Sailing Regatta – July

Stromness Shopping Week – July
www.stromnessshoppingweek.co.uk

Community Gala Week run by local volunteers, with many varied events involving the community and visitors. The emphasis is on family fun, with lots of sporting and novelty competitions, music, sideshows, children's entertainment, and a firework celebration on the last night.

Stromness Golf Club Shopping Week Open – July
www.stromnessgc.co.uk

Men, Women & Juniors. Visitors welcome - please bring handicap certificate.

Stromness Golf Club Amateur Open – August
www.stromnessgc.co.uk

Visitors welcome-please bring handicap certificate. This competition gets booked up early in the season - please send completed entry form available form

European Sea Angling Championships – August
www.efsa-scotland.org/orkney_2009/intro.htm

The European Boat Angling Championships comes to Orkney in the summer of 2009 and the cream of Europe's anglers will be there. For more information see feature in Planet Sea Fishing www.planetseafishing.com/features/read/all-eyes-on-orkney

The West Mainland Show Dounby – August

Organised by the West Mainland Agricultural Society. The highlight of the rural year in the West, with stock showing and judging, show jumping, sporting competitions, side-shows, music and stalls. In the evening the locals take part in a fancy dress parade, which will keep you entertained!

The County Show – August

This is the biggest event in the agricultural calendar, with stock showing, judging and show jumping, a wide variety of stands and stalls, sporting events, and entertainment. Family fun and a real glimpse of the rural life of the county. This event takes place in the Bignold Park in Kirkwall

Orkney Beer Festival – August
www.stromnesshotel.com

A chance to try out a wide range of guest beers and cask-conditioned ales, and Orkney’s own ales, based n Stromness Hotel.

Orkney International Science Festival – September
science@orkney.com www.oisf.org

A kaleidoscope mix of fresh insights, challenging ideas and lively activities. Topics range from astronomy to zoology, from renewable energy to rural transport, with world-class speakers from many places. Activities include talks and exhibitions – plus concerts, outings, art, music and ceilidhs. Additional events this year as part of the Scottish Homecoming "For A That".

Maeshowe Winter Solstice – 1st November – 31st January www.maeshowe.co.uk

From November to late January you can view a webcam broadcast of the light from the winter sunset shining into the ancient chamber of Maes Howe.

THE BA – 25th December and 1st January
www.bagame.com

Traditional street rugby, played by the Uppies and Doonies with a much prized locally made leather Ba’ (ball). The Ba’ is thrown up outside St. Magnus Cathedral and the game ranges through the town. The Ba’ starts on Broad Street with the boys game beginning at 10.30am and the men’s at 1pm.

Hogmanay Celebrations – 31st December

Crowds gather in Stromness before "the bells" at midnight. The ships whistles in Stromness Harbour let us know when to raise our glasses and to go "first footing" to bring in the New Year in traditional style.