Preservation of unique Orkney Island habitats will be among the topics discussed by Michael Russell when he visits the islands this week.

The Minister for Environment will take part in a three day fact finding tour of the islands from Wednesday when he will officially open the new Halston recycling centre.

On Thursday Mr Russell will travel to Eday to view the EMEC tidal facility and meet with the Island Ranger service. Later he will meet with rangers at Brodgar and discuss the current digs being undertaken by Orkney College Archaeology Department before visiting Birsay Tomatoes and Tearoom - a farm diversification project.

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The £1.26m Heritage Lottery Fund project at Vikings Heath will round off the visit on Friday morning. Co-funded by a number of partner organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage and Orkney Enterprise, the project aims to improve and expand the heaths.

Mr Russell said: "The Orkney islands enjoy a wealth of environmental, geological and archaeological treasures which are of national and international importance.

"I have been greatly encouraged and intrigued by what I have heard about the islands and look forward to an extremely interesting and fruitful visit."

(GK/JM)