David Kerr
Almost 900 homes across Orkney were left in the dark after a massive power cut struck several islands.
Emergency generators had to be rushed to Eday, Sanday, Stronsay and Shapinsay in the northern Orkneys to restore power yesterday afternoon.
Supply was also lost in the early hours in North Ronaldsay but was restored by the early hours of the morning on a mobile generator.
The power went out in the early hours of yesterday morning and is believed to have been caused by a fault in an underwater cable.
Engineers are to continue work on repairing the fault now that the temporary generators have been put in place.
A spokeswoman for SSE confirmed that power had been restored to Sanday and Stronsay in early afternoon while Eday and Shapinsay were restored later in the day.
At its peak, 880 properties were without power across the islands.
Sanday Community School and Stronsay Junior High School remained closed throughout the day yesterday but are due to open this morning as normal.
Shapinsay and Eday schools were both open, with the former opening from 11am.
They both supplied hot drinks and biscuits to residents affected by the power cuts.
The power cuts caused disruption to phone signals, although the 999 emergency service was unaffected.
The Orkney Ferries service between islands was also disrupted – because boats had been diverted to transport generators and fuel.
Orkney-based Inspector Alicen Winston said: “This emergency situation has caused disruption to some passengers who had intended travelling to and from the affected islands today and we would thank all for their patience and understanding at this time.
She added: “The fault finding process is currently underway. It will take time for engineers to find the exact cause of the fault but SSE are doing everything they can.
“We have also been working with Orkney Health and Care and making sure that this disruption to the power has minimal effects on vulnerable people and other residents.”
The SSE spokesman also offered apologies for everyone affected.