Official countdown to Orkney 2025 International Island Games underway

The countdown to the Orkney 2025 International Island Games is underway with exactly one-year until the highly anticipated event.

Throughout the week, over 60 international delegates of the games are travelling from as far as Bermuda and the Falkland Islands to join event organisers in marking the occasion.

It will be one of the largest multi-sport events taking place in Europe in 2025, in what will also be the 40th year since the games first began.

The week-long Island Games, taking place on Orkney in July, will welcome over 2,000 competitors and officials from 24 islands competing in 12 sports.

The year-to-go event will see Orkney showcase the facilities, vibrant atmosphere and welcoming community of the islands at the north of Scotland.

Over the course of the year-to-go event, representatives from more than 20 participating island groups will embark on a three-day itinerary packed full of sporting venue tours, workshops, talks, and celebrations, including a formal dinner marking the start of the official countdown on Friday.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, will also be in attendance to show her support for the Games, which is set to be the biggest event Orkney has ever hosted, and to see first-hand how preparations are progressing.

Gougeon will be delivering a speech to attending delegates, discussing the significance of the Games both locally and nationally, and why she’s so pleased that the Scottish Government is supporting this event.

She said: “I am delighted to be able to join so many international delegates and Orcadians to start the countdown to the Games.

“This is an opportunity to showcase, not just Orkney, but also Shetland and the Western Isles who will compete in 2025.

“The next 12 months will be so exciting as Orkney prepares to host competitors, coaches, officials, spectators and tourists from across the globe and show them a wonderful Scottish welcome. I look forward to us all working to make Orkney 2025 a huge success.”

The Games will not only be a sporting spectacle but also a catalyst for promoting the cultural and economic vitality of the Orkney Islands.

Gordon Deans, Chair of Orkney 2025, said: “We are thrilled to welcome delegates from so many of the island groups here to Orkney to help us celebrate the one-year countdown to the Games. The anticipation is ramping us as local businesses, tourism, and community groups are preparing to showcase the vibrant spirit and culture of Orkney.

“Our community is eagerly preparing to welcome athletes, officials, and visitors from around the world and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who have worked so hard to set the Games in good stead with just a year left to go.

“I would also like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for her support and presence here for our year-to-go activities. We are on the brink of a truly unforgettable event that will celebrate Orkney’s rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality which will make this a memorable event for everyone involved.”

Orkney representatives from each of the 12 sports gathered at the Standing Stones of Stenness to mark the momentous occasion.

Councillor Graham Bevan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council said: “Hosting the 2025 Island Games next year is a fantastic opportunity for Orkney.

“The Orkney 2025 team have been working incredibly working hard behind the scenes to bring together a memorable, world-class multi-sport event, which will not only celebrate the best of everything that Orkney has to offer but also provide unprecedented opportunities to create a lasting sporting legacy for the islands, whether through participation or the development of coaching and other supporting roles.

“Orcadians are passionate about sporting competition and the Island Games – we’ve been a permanent presence at the Games since they began. It’s been a long-term aspiration to bring the games here – soon to be realised. We’re delighted to be supporting the Games to come here, placing our welcoming, hard-working and determined community right at the heart of the action.”

VisitScotland Director of Events, Paul Bush added: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes, officials and supporters to Orkney in one year’s time for the 2025 International Island Games.

“Today is the start of many exciting milestones as we countdown to Orkney 2025. We look forward to working with the organisers, partners and the people of Orkney over the next 12 months to deliver a unique and memorable event for everyone.”