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That the Parliament congratulates Ruth Williams, Gordon Deans and David Sawkins on being appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Margaret Irvine and Ian Scott on being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in The King's Birthday Honours List 2026; believes that all five individuals richly deserve this recognition for their service to the local community in Orkney as well as their wider contribution; understands that Ruth Williams, from Finstown, is being honoured for her decades of political and voluntary services, including her role as the most successful Liberal Democrat agent ever, as well as her sterling service to the Scottish Women's Institute and Girlguiding; recognises that Gordon Deans, from Stromness, as Chair of Orkney 2025 provided leadership as Orkney delivered one of the most memorable International Island Games ever; acknowledges that David Sawkins, from Holm, is receiving an MBE for long-standing services to ports and harbours development and environment management in his role as Deputy Harbour Master with Orkney Islands Council; understands that Margaret Irvine, from Birsay, founded her community's local theatre programme, the Birsay Drama Group, and is receiving a BEM for her decades of committed service to drama and her community, including the Scottish Community Drama Association; acknowledges that Ian Scott, from North Ronaldsay, is an accomplished local artist, sculptor and social historian who is being recognised for his outstanding services to art and to his community; believes that these honours are a fitting tribute to the contributions made by all five individuals and reflect the extent to which Orkney benefits in so many ways from those whose selfless efforts enrich the island communities; thanks them for their service, and wishes them well with the presentation ceremonies in due course.

That the Parliament congratulates brothers Malcolm and Russell Clark, from Hoy in Orkney, on raising over £2,000 for children's healthcare charity, The Archie Foundation; understands that the brothers fundraised for the charity by cycling to and from their school every day for a week, amounting to a daily 18-mile roundtrip across some of Orkney's hilliest and most challenging roads; further understands that Malcolm, who was born three months premature and spent the first few months of his life in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary neonatal unit, benefited greatly from the specialist services and care he received through support from organisations like The Archie Foundation; believes that Malcolm and Russell were inspired to undertake this fundraising challenge to give back to those who helped Malcolm and to support them in their ongoing efforts to provide vital healthcare to premature and sick babies and their families; commends Malcolm and Russell for their fantastic efforts on behalf of such an important cause, and wishes them the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Douglas Montgomery, from Burray in Orkney, on his recent induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame under the Services to Community section; understands that the Services to Community inductees were chosen because of their outstanding efforts in promoting Scotland's traditional music heritage; notes that Douglas is a fiddle teacher and performer, and a member of a host of Orkney-based traditional music acts, notably Saltfishforty and The Chair; believes he has made a lasting and positive impact over the course of his 30 year career teaching in Orkney's schools, inspiring generations of young island musicians not least through the celebrated youth project, Hadhirgaan, which has featured a rolling army of young musicians over three decades; notes that Douglas is also musical director of The Gathering, a musical showcase which originated at the Orkney Folk Festival as a means to celebrate the islands' local music scene but which has since travelled internationally and helped to bring Orkney's traditional music to audiences around the globe; pays tribute to Douglas for all that he has done to preserve and promote folk and traditional music in Orkney, through performance, mentorship and enthusiasm that is both boundless and infectious; wishes him well in his future music projects, and congratulates Douglas and the other inductees to the Hall of Fame or their richly deserved recognition.

That the Parliament congratulates Orkney's young athletes on their victory over Shetland in the annual Junior Inter-County (JIC) competition, which was held from 6-7 June 2026 in Kirkwall and Stromness; notes that the Orkney squad finished with a final score of 165 points against Shetland's 134.5, ensuring a fourth consecutive victory for Orkney and retention of the coveted Stuart Cup; understands that the competition involves athletics, hockey, swimming, football and netball, with outstanding individual and team performances across all sports from both Orkney and Shetland athletes; acknowledges, in particular, the leadership shown by Orkney's co-captains Eve Wood and Jenna Scott; notes that Orkney's young athletes came out on top in the swimming, football, hockey, and athletics events, while Shetland claimed an impressive victory in netball; understands that six new JIC records were set by Orkney in the pool, with Alfie Price setting four and Eve Wood and Nathan Smith setting one each; recognises the hat-trick from Zander Baillie that paved the way for a 4-0 victory for Orkney in the football; acknowledges how close the competition was in the hockey and athletics; recognises that the athletics contest saw personal best performances and JIC records across the board, with Orkney pipping Shetland at the finishing line, courtesy of victory in both the boys and girls 4x100m team relays; pays tribute to the many volunteers, officials, coaches and supporters, as well as the Orkney JIC Sports Committee and the Shetland JIC Association, for facilitating another memorable weekend of exciting competition for young athletes in the Northern Isles; believes that this competition, which has taken place annually since 1947, has helped to promote a fierce sporting rivalry and foster lifelong friendships between the two island communities, and looks forward to supporting the Junior Inter-County competition for many years to come.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00290 in the name of Stephen Flynn (Growing Scotland’s Economy), insert at end "; believes that Brexit has had a deeply damaging impact on the economy, and agrees that one of the biggest changes that could be made to boost growth, fix trade and cut the cost of living would be a new bespoke customs union between the UK and the EU.”

That the Parliament congratulates Walter Gorman, from Orkney, on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at YouthLink Scotland's National Youth Work Awards in Glasgow on 3 June 2026; understands that Walter recently retired from Orkney Islands Council as a community learning, development and employability team manager after 40 years of service; considers the award to be a richly-deserved recognition of an incredible career dedicated to young people in Orkney, many of whose lives he helped to transform by creating opportunities and providing support; notes in particular Walter's work developing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme, Rock Schools, youth cafes, youth volunteering and local skate parks in Orkney; thanks Walter for empowering generations of young people in Orkney and for the lasting positive impact that he has had on so many young islanders, and wishes him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

That the Parliament congratulates Marcus Slater, of Orphir in Orkney, on winning North Young Farmer of the Year; understands that Marcus earned his title at the Highland Rally in Caithness on 30 May 2026, which was hosted by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, and will now go on to compete at the National Young Farmer of the Year competition in October 2026; notes that Marcus farms at Yarpha in Orphir and is a member of the Harray Young Farmers Club; understands that he earned his title after successfully taking part in a series of challenges, including practical tasks, an agricultural quiz and stock judging; recognises the importance of these events in helping young farmers to develop their skills, confidence and experience; commends Marcus for his great work, and wishes him the best of luck when he competes in the final.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00208 in the name of Maree Todd (Summer of Sport), insert at end "; recognises that many sporting activities and events across Scotland are only possible due to the time and commitment given by volunteers, coaches and officials, thus appropriate support for them must be in place to enable events and activities to take place, and believes that opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport are contingent upon the Scottish Government adequately funding local authorities and giving them a fair deal to enable them to invest in leisure centres, swimming pools, grassroots facilities and community clubs."

As an amendment to motion S7M-00159 in the name of Stephen Gethins (It’s Scotland’s Energy), leave out from "Scotland’s energy" to end and insert “local communities which host vital renewables projects deserve proper community benefit that would provide funding for short and long-term investment such as economic development, housing and cutting energy bills; further believes that the Scottish Government’s proposed good practice principles, which recommend community benefits be provided at the value of £6,000 per Mega Watt per year, will not meet the expectations of communities; calls for future ScotWind rental income to be transferred to the nearby councils so that those communities can feel the benefit of hosting national projects, and considers that new rules are needed for future ScotWind-style sales to protect the value of Scotland’s assets and attract more investment."

That the Parliament congratulates Ethan Flett, of The Orcadian, on being named Weekly Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Scottish Press Awards; understands that the annual Scottish Press Awards celebrate excellence in national, regional and digital journalism from across the country; believes that Ethan has shown an outstanding commitment to promoting strong and reliable local journalism, ensuring islanders have access to news and reporting on issues that matter most to them; notes that The Orcadian also took home the title of Scottish Weekly Newsbrand of the Year at the awards, which were held in Glasgow; congratulates Ethan and everyone at The Orcadian on this well-deserved national recognition of the contribution that they make to the local community in Orkney, and wishes them all continued success.