Orkney counts down to Island Games grand opening

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly - a big fan of the island - will host the opening ceremony of the Island Games

Excitement is building in Orkney as the final countdown begins to the Island Games.

Athletes from across the world are in Kirkwall for the opening ceremony in the huge multi-sport event on Saturday evening.

The games will be officially opened by the Princess Royal, while the opening ceremony at the town's Bignold Park will begin at 17:00.

Scots TV presenter Lorraine Kelly will host alongside BBC Radio Orkney Presenter Stuart Bain.

Athletes have been enjoying taking pictures with mascot Ola the Orca

The event has been years in the making, with hundreds of local people and businesses involved.

The event is comparable in terms of competitor numbers to the Winter Olympics.

But it has been planned and delivered mainly by volunteers - with just three staff employed by Orkney 2025.

A range of public events kick off from 15:15 on Saturday to build the atmosphere.

Taking a starring role in ramping up the fun will be Games mascot Ola the Orca.

The whale character was created by Sarah Sutcliffe, 12, who won a competition of 880 local young people.

The ceremony is expected to be "short but entertaining" and organisers say the streets will lined with local and international support.

Events have been taking place ahead of the opening ceremony on Saturday

After the opening ceremony, Athletes will parade through the town, in an array of different colours representing their teams.

The parade will leave Bignold Park at 17:45 and make its way to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

Locals have been warned about road closures in the centre of Kirkwall from 16:00 to 19:00.

Sporting competition gets underway on Sunday with events including the triathlon and athletics.

Other sports include swimming, gymnastics and lawn bowls. Events will be held across the week before the closing ceremony on Friday 18 July.

Philippa Li and Annelise Mellor from the Isle of Man Badminton team

The island spirit is alive in Orkney and has had a ripple affect across the other teams.

Philippa Li and Annelise Mellor are from the Isle of Man Badminton team.

For Annelise, this will be her first island games. She says lots of hard work has gone in to getting here.

"It feels amazing to be here, especially the weather, it really helps," she said.

Philippa said: "This is my fourth games so I always like meeting the people that we've seen before. That's always really fun.

"The atmosphere and the people are all really supportive. The local people are always eager to ask questions so it's really great.

"I love badge swapping with all of the other islands."

Both Annelise and Philippa are excited to see Ola the Orca at the Opening Ceremony.

Linda Alvarez competed in the Island Games in 1987 for badminton

The pressure is on to get all the athletes to Orkney before the opening ceremony and some competitors have already been facing the realities of island life.

Linda Alvarez is the chairman of the Gibraltar island games association.

Some of her team have been held up in delayed flights. She has a total of around 70 people competing.

"As you know from an island, we always get delays for one reason or another. Schedules or weather or whatever.

"They have been delayed for a couple of hours but we've got people coming in all different ways from all different places.

"Because Gibraltar is such a long way, it's been three flights or two flights or a ferry. I've got them coming in all different ways," she said.

The Frøya football team have been training in the sunshine before their first game against Orkney on Sunday

Despite the delays, Linda is looking forward to the excitement that comes with the opening ceremony.

"It's always nice to see everyone together. It comes from the heart. When you're marching with your team and your flag and everybody gets together, it's always a special occasion.

"I'm sure Orkney's going to have a great time, will do a great ceremony and it will be remembered for a long time."

Volunteers have been busy setting up ahead of the opening ceremony

Speaking to BBC Radio Orkney, Stuart Bain said there would be a lot in store for the opening ceremony, including singing and dancing.

"I think its going to be a fantastic day for folk, especially with this bonnie weather that's forecast.

"There's a really good buzz about Kirkwall already and Orkney in general. Driving in this morning and seeing all the Orkney flags that had popped up just since yesterday when I went home is really encouraging."

A full schedule for the events can be found on the Orkney Island Games 2025 website.

And there will be daily updates and coverage on BBC Radio Orkney.