Olympic torch visits Orkney and Shetland on third day of Scottish tour

Olympic journey: Torch is on the third day of its Scottish journey.

The London 2012 Olympic flame has visited one of the farthest flung points in its Odyssey around the UK.

The torch travelled by land, boat, and plane as it visited Orkney.

The relay is covering just under 30 ground miles on Sunday, but will involve three flights.

The flame arrived at Kirkwall Airport in the morning, and left for Shetland shortly before 12pm.

Later it will fly to Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, where the celebrations will continue.

Inga Kemp, 22, from Orkney, was the first torchbearer.

She started the relay in front of the medieval St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, itself known as the light of the north.

The flame left shortly before 12pm heading for the Shetland Islands.

It was followed by a free open-air concert hosted by Orkney Islands Council at the Pickaquoy Centre.

The final Orkney torchbearer, William Sichel, 58, from Sanday, lit the Orkney Cauldron.

Around 90 local children performed a specially-commissioned song marking the visit.

It was written by local musicians Brian Cromarty and Douglas Montgomery, in conjunction with pupils from the county.

Orkney Islands Council leader Steven Heddle said: "The torch relay has attracted huge interest and generated much celebration all around Britain.

"This is the first time that an Olympic flame has come to Scotland, and to Orkney, and the council has been working hard to ensure that we are able to give the torch relay a warm Orkney welcome - and that the public can enjoy the historic occasion safely and focus on having fun and showcasing our famous hospitality to the world."

During its visit to Shetland in the afternoon, the torch will be taken across Clickimin Loch by boat by Matthew Cox, 42, from Shetland, before making a visit to the town's community festival, and then leaving by helicopter.

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