Scotland has hosted some of the world’s largest multi-sport events with athletes from across the globe coming to compete. In less than two years the spotlight will once again shine on Scotland as Glasgow plays host to the Commonwealth Games 2026. But before that, next July 12 – 18 Scotland will be the focus of another international multi-sporting event.
Nearly 2,000 athletes and officials from 24 islands, from as far afield as Bermuda and the Falkland Islands, will descend on Orkney for the 40th International Island Games. The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will be the biggest event that the islands have ever hosted.
The International Island Games brings an incredibly unique opportunity for Orkney and will see the islands showcase our exceptional facilities, vibrant atmosphere and welcoming community on a world-wide stage. Having worked as part of the team at Glasgow 2014 I see many parallels between both Games – and the Orkney 2025 International Island Games links wonderfully to Scotland hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
With athletes travelling from all across the world to compete in 12 different sports at an incredible standard, the Island Games brings the same triumphs, celebrations and challenges that a Commonwealth Games does.
The complexities of planning an international multi-sport event are enormous, and with a unique structure for a Games, Orkney 2025 has a small staff of two and is run almost exclusively by volunteers. The Orkney 2025 organising committee has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to bring together a memorable, once in a lifetime 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.
Large sporting events offer amazing volunteering opportunities for local communities to get involved. We are thrilled that the Orkney International Island Games has seen an incredible 1,200 volunteers applying to be part of the Games which is a testament for the local community’s interest in and excitement about Orkney 2025. The Commonwealth Games is another excellent opportunity to encourage people to get involved through volunteering and sport, to strengthen our cultural identity and further support Scotland’s reputation as a country that delivers world-class sporting events.
Orkney 2025 will be an historic occasion and a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at a home multi-sport event with the eyes of the world watching. It will also act as the perfect springboard for the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Kara Hanlon from the Western Isles being a fantastic example of an athlete competing across both events. Training in our 16 metre pool just outside Stornoway, for many years Kara has gone on to achieve success at a global level, making history as the first swimmer from the Western Isles to compete at the Commonwealth Games. We hope to see more athletes from our Games follow in her footsteps and proudly represent the island communities we come from in Glasgow in 2026.
July 2025 will be a very special time and we can't wait for thousands of people from islands across the world to explore Orkney, share unforgettable experiences and form lasting friendships.
Kirsty Talbot is Games Director, Orkney 2025
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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