Orkney Islands Council has secured more than £900,000 to deliver a comprehensive upgrade of Birsay Campsite, enhancing capacity, sustainability and visitor facilities.

The project, led by the Council's Sport and Leisure Service, will introduce hard‑standing pitches connected by a new one‑way internal road and a permanent modern amenity block to replace ageing portacabins. Redundant stone buildings will be cleared to create an improved drying area, while the site will be powered by low‑carbon systems including solar panels and ground‑source heating.

Additional works include upgraded chemical waste disposal, a safer off‑road area for waste and recycling, electric hook‑ups for every pitch, and new planting to improve shelter, screening and biodiversity. Groundworks are scheduled to start in February, with completion expected by October 2026.

Currently open from April to September, the campsite serves growing numbers of visitors and is a valued asset for school pupils and volunteer groups from the North Isles taking part in outdoor learning through the Council's Education Service. The investment will extend the operating season through to the end of October.

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One element of the finance package comes from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF), established by the Scottish Government in 2018 and administered by VisitScotland. The fund supports rural destinations dealing with visitor management pressures by improving infrastructure and minimising negative impacts on local communities.

Cheryl Chapman, VisitScotland Development Manager for Orkney, said: "This development is great news for Orkney. The improvements will help create much-needed capacity and allow visitors to stay in less-visited parts of the isles, spreading economic benefit further, as well as offering a boost to the quality of the visitor experience.

"Importantly, waste facilities will be available to motorhome campers all year round, encouraging the responsible behaviour we want to see in Orkney. The development marks another milestone in the delivery of sustainable tourism here, and I am thrilled that VisitScotland is supporting this through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, on behalf of the Scottish Government.

"VisitScotland is focused on the responsible growth of tourism and events. To be a sustainable tourism destination, we must ensure the right facilities to cater for the growing demands of both visitors and locals and to guarantee the best possible experience for all."

Gwenda Shearer, who chairs the Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, said: "The upgrades at Birsay Campsite are all about giving visitors a warmer welcome and a better experience. By improving the facilities, we're not only supporting tourism but also creating a better space for local community groups and schools who use the site for outdoor education. It's important to us that the campsite continues to be a place where people of all ages can learn, explore, and connect with the landscape that makes Birsay so special."

Confirmed funding includes: £735,885 from VisitScotland's Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund; £154,000 from Orkney Islands Council's Tourism Infrastructure Fund; £37,000 from the Scottish Government's Climate Emergency Capital Fund; and £18,000 from the Scottish Government's National Islands Plan Funding.

The scheme aligns with Orkney's Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan, Scotland's Visitor Management Strategy and national sustainability goals, supporting the dispersal of visitors across the isles, extending the season and reducing environmental impacts.