Sport / Orkney games officially opened on scorching day of celebrations

12 July 2025 23:02

Four young women in matching blue shirts and shorts stand on grass, smiling at the camera, with one holding a large blue and white flag. Other people are visible in the background.

Shetland footballers Inga Inkster, Anya Arcus, Sadie Anderson and India Reynolds fly the flag for the isles. Photo: Kevin Jones

THE 2025 Island Games in Orkney have been officially opened in a scorching hot celebration of sport and friendships in Kirkwall.

On the hottest day of the year so far, Princess Anne signalled the start of the week-long event with a short speech in Bignold Park.

A raft of spectators – many of them from Shetland – were on hand to watch performances from Orkney school pupils and from local band Stereo Lobsters before TV personality Lorraine Kelly took to the stage.

International Island Games Association chairman Andrew Inkster also addressed the crowd, saying the Orkney games had “felt like a long time coming” after a two-year Covid delay.

Inkster said that while results would be important for the competitors, it was “friendships more so” that would be the focus of the week.

Crowds of people had lined Kirkwall’s streets to cheer – and theatrically boo – team Shetland as they marched down to St Magnus Cathedral on Saturday night.

The games themselves get under way on Sunday morning, with Shetland’s bowlers, sailors and squash players all in action from early morning.

Attentions will turn to the triathlon in Stromness in 11am, with the women’s team boasting a strong recent medal record, with the women’s football team kicking off for the first time in 20 years at 12pm in Kirkwall.

The men’s football team play Gozo at 3.30pm, with the badminton team event and athletics races all adding up to a busy first day.

Two men wearing sports shirts, sunglasses, and smiling stand outdoors on a sunny day with one arm around each other.

Dhanni Moar (left) will be in action for Shetland this week. He is pictured here with Orkney strongman Calum Elder. Photo: Kevin Jones

Four people play lawn bowls in front of a large, partially ruined stone building on a sunny day.

A scenic spot for the bowlers to practise. Photo: Kevin Jones

A woman in a dark suit and sunglasses is surrounded by people taking photos and videos with their phones outdoors on a sunny day.

Princess Anne speaking to spectators at the opening ceremony. Photo: Kevin Jones

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