Minister for local government and housing Kevin Stewart MSP visited Orkney this month to see how work is progressing on a new housing development.

A total of 24 new local authority homes have been built at Walliwall, with a further 40 homes for Orkney Housing Association (OHAL) still under construction on the site.

The scheme is backed by almost £2 million of funding from the Scottish Government.

Mr Stewart met with council representatives and other agencies involved in providing social housing in the county.

Convener Steven Heddle said: “We very much welcome the opportunity to give the Minister a sense of the social housing we’re developing in Orkney, including those in partnership with OHAL - and to highlight challenges associated with our remoteness and northerly climate.

“We also took the opportunity to discuss wider local government issues of particular relevance to Orkney, and the forthcoming Islands Bill.”

Mr Stewart added: “It was great to meet with a range of people and organisations who are all working hard to ensure Orcadians have a high quality of life.

“I was pleased to see the latest building projects undertaken by Orkney Council and Housing Association.”