Orcadian Column, 8/1/2026

Happy New Year and what a start it’s been to 2026. FIFA must surely be looking for their Peace Prize back after its inaugural ‘winner’, Donald J Trump drove a special forces-sized hole through international law to abduct Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro and render him to the US to stand trial.

Even by President Trump’s standards, this is a jaw-dropping moment with potentially far-reaching ramifications. Rest assured, the Russian and Chinese leaderships will have been paying close attention and taking notes.

Moreover, while it’s one thing targeting a brutish dictator with no electoral legitimacy heading up a corrupt regime, it’s quite another, in the next breath, to repeat menacing threats to annex Greenland, a democratic autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally of the US.

President Trump’s claim that the US will ‘run’ Venezuela until an ‘acceptable’ transition can be engineered is far from reassuring, not least given his country’s less than illustrious track record in post-conflict nation building. His admission that this attack on a sovereign state is about capturing and controlling Venezuela’s vast oil resources deserves credit for its shameless candour even if it is yet another example of President Trump getting caught saying the quiet stuff out loud.

Like most world leaders, the UK Prime Minister walks a diplomatic tightrope in dealing with the US President, but his clarity in declaring unwavering support for Denmark and Greenland must be matched by similar clarity in condemning Trump’s actions in Venezuela as a blatant contravention of international law. The US can’t be left to mark its own handiwork.

In further chilling developments, the start of 2026 has seen the sort of heavy snowfalls not experienced in Orkney for years. These have closed roads, schools and businesses while causing widespread disruption, not least to post-Christmas travel plans.

A measure of this can be found in the fact that I’m writing this column while sat on the overnight ferry to Aberdeen in an attempt to get to Edinburgh for the resumption of the parliamentary session on Tuesday. I know, however, that many constituents have been stuck for days trying to get north or south since the end of last week.

I’ve been in regular contact with Loganair, relaying concerns of constituents, particularly over the perennial issue of communication. Islanders accept that nothing can be done about the weather but the inability of stranded passengers to find out what’s going on or rebook flights has been a frequent frustration for many over recent days.

On the subject of communications, a hat tip to Kirsty Groundwater and her team at OIC for their efforts. It’s not always been good news, often the very opposite, but the regular updates on social media and through the local press have been timely, helpful and very welcome.

Thanks also to those, including many local farmers, doing their bit to keep roads open, dealing with power cuts, looking in on neighbours and generally making sure that folks in need are being looked after despite the weather. Further evidence of the strong sense of community here in Orkney.

That community spirit was further encapsulated by Orkney’s remarkable showing in the New Year’s Honours List. Orkney’s musical talent was reflected in BEMs for Erika Shearer, Andy Cant and Raymie Peace. Meanwhile, Patty Smith’s fundraising heroics for the RNLI were recognised, so too the outstanding contributions of Glynis Macleod and Dr Andy Trevett to healthcare in the islands along with an OBE for Rousay’s Ben Pentreath for services to design.

Seven awards from a community of 22,000 is some achievement and I’m confident will spur other worthy nominations in future.

And finally to the Ba honours, these were shared between Uppies and Doonies over the festive period with two wins apiece. No doubt about the stand-out commendation though, as the Uppie Boys prevailed after an epic eight and half hour battle on New Year’s Day. Both sets of players deserve enormous credit for the skill and endurance.

The Ba is the ultimate team sport, but I’m sure Balfour Williamson is still bursting with pride having secured his Ba after such an historic contest. Now wouldn’t that be a more worthy award for FIFA to be handing out?!