Orkney Image Library

Marion, your pics make it quite clear: What used to be the OTB, easy to find in a prime location, is reduced to a VisitScotland hub operating from the "backyard" ... ;-)

Surprise .. it's as ugly as the building.....0/10..

If I had a pound for every tourist that I have had to give directions to the Tourist Office this summer.......

Looks like someone tried to build a new Moosie Tooer, but hadn't a clue.

you should see how many ridgway travel direct to the new east german border control point...

As with most of the other new builds locally the building lacks character and says nothing about Orkney, local architecture or buildings. Could they not have designed something more in keeping with Orkney's culture. Who is responsible for the design of the building and who for the signage? A nice picture of them standing in front of it would be good????????

Looks like someone tried to build something and gave up half way, Where do they get these people from MARS ??? Sorry to anyone from Mars :)

Had a private individual wanted to build a shop on that space and submitted that plans, do you think it would have been passed for that area ?

They could still solve the problem by putting a large exclamation mark information symbol in the centre of the albino bean tin. It would be visible from the top of Castle Street.

They say that the colours were chosen from the new Orkney flag. Pity we should keep the old one. Red stripe with yellow lettering would stand out well I think !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever happened to the strict Planning Rules which were in place during the 70's when one business man in Kirkwall had to keep moving the position of his newbuild house in the field he owned out in the country, yes that was extreme, but the pendulum has swung the other way and the Planning Department seems to prefer 'the uglier the better'. Who's taking over the old Tourist Office, will it house overspill from the gigantic Council Office?

I have been asked for directions to the Travel Centre a few times, and so have other people. Some signs are badly needed.

I was stopped up Junction Road by a visitor a few week ago, after he had just driven past the place, and he asked " Do you know where the tourist information is". So I replied "yes, do you" After we both had a good laugh over the comment he turned and made his way back down the road. He did comment on how such an important building for tourists was so poorly signposted.

Even with the new signs, it is not clear when driving past what the building is. The I up at the top is no use for drivers.

Other requests I regularly get are for directions to the local museum and "the gardens" [presumably Tankerness House Gardens]. There are no signs further down the street to direct visitors. Even right at the museum the signage is not eyecatching and visitors miss seeing it. What we need is the old information board that used to be at the old Post Office on Broad Street but a newer version with all the places identified. Anyone know a good cheap signmaker?? Mind you it would probably need planning permission and all that!

mind you its no worse than the ould baikies wid yard