A Sporting Showcase

This July, Orkney's landscapes and vibrant community are the backdrop for the Island Games

- DANIELLA THEIS, NEIL DRYSDALE

THIS July, Orkney's beautiful towns and landscapes become host to an esteemed sporting event: the Island Games. This biennial international event, organised by the International Island Games Association, which first started 40 years ago, last took place in Guernsey in 2023.

It is the first time that Orkney will host the event, with an opening parade taking place in Kirkwall on July 12, hosted by Scots TV star Lorraine Kelly.

"It's about sport, obviously, and youngsters coming together from across the globe," Lorraine said. "It's not just about winning medals, but participants forging friendships, making memories and discovering why Orkney is such a treasured place. I'm honoured to have been asked to host the opening of the Games. I'll be trying to tell the different teams about some of the reasons why Orkney is special."

The presenter is happy that the games are returning to Scotland for the first time in 20 years.

"Shetland previously hosted the games," she added. "But since then they have been held in places such as Jersey, Rhodes, Bermuda and Gibraltar. And now they are being held in my happy place. I'm so looking forward to it."