Orkney 2025: highlights from the opening ceremony
HRH The Princess Royal declared an official start to the 2025 Island Games in Orkney last night (12 July).
The Games' opening ceremony saw athletes from across the Channel Islands join more than two thousand others from around the world - swelling the small Scottish island's population by more than 10 percent.
They'll spend the next week representing Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney and Sark on an international sporting stage - fighting for victory against athletes from countries as far-flung as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Last night's ceremony was a celebration of sport, culture, and island life - featuring a procession by athletes through the centre of the island's town, performances by local schoolchildren, and highland pipe bands.
The Games' iconic 'Water Ceremony' tradition also took place, with each team invited to blend together waters from their respective islands within a ceremonial structure.
The event's host - television presenter Lorraine Kelly - said the atmosphere at the ceremony was "just electric".
"I could really feel the anticipation in the air!", she said, adding "Orkney is my favourite place and I'm so looking forward to watching the Games over the next week".
Today sees the start of competition in Badminton, Football, Lawn Bowls, Sailing, and Squash.
The triathlon is also taking place.
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