Future of Kirkwall Bonfire in question as organiser steps back

The Rotary Club of Kirkwall will no longer be organising the town’s public bonfire and fireworks display, as the club president says the traditional venue at the Peedie Sea is no longer likely to be “viable.”

This decision to step back follows concerns raised about the impact the event was having on the area’s swans.

These concerns led to the 2024 event being scaled back with a smaller bonfire and less noisy fireworks.

However, campaigners dubbing themselves “Team Swan” said it wasn’t good enough and the venue was no longer suitable.

Despite this week’s announcement, Orkney Islands Council says work remains ongoing to find a new venue for the bonfire.

Options will be discussed at a meeting in May.

The Kirkwall Rotary Club has been involved in the organisation of the Kirkwall bonfire for around 30 years, according to the Kirkwall club president.

It has organised many aspects of the bonfire on behalf of the community council, using the event raise funds.

However, the club confirmed its intentions with a letter to the Kirkwall and St Ola community council, which met this week.

Speaking today, the president of the Kirkwall Rotary Club, Ali Bruce, confirmed the club’s decision to step back as one of the event’s main organisers.

Mr Bruce said, with it looking likely that the event will have to change, the club’s members have decided not to continue.

The age of the club members has played a part in the decision, he said.

There are hopes that another organisation will step in.

But that will still depend on whether a suitable new location can be found, Mr Bruce said

He said: “We don’t think it’s going to be viable to hold the event at the Peedie Sea any longer and we wouldn’t want to take the risk of buying the stuff we sell to make it a fundraiser.

“There are various things that feed into the decision, such as the safety aspect.

“But, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to hold the bonfire in the same form.

“We may have been able to adapt something.

“But it seems like an appropriate time for us to stop doing it.

“We’ve been organising it for many years. This decision is partly to do with the age of a lot of our participants.

“We need more and more folk to come in and assist.

“Unfortunately, a lot of us are not in the first flush of youth.

“We would hope that a public display can continue. It proves to be a lot safer than everyone doing their own.”