Two aircraft which operate the world’s shortest flight have been given a colourful makeover courtesy of some Orcadian schoolchildren.
A pair of young girls won a competition organised to design a tail-fin for each of the Britten Norman Islander aircraft, which carry out the Orkney Inter-Isles Air Service.
The route includes the 1.7-mile hop between Westray and Papa Westray, recognised by Guinness World Records as the shortest scheduled air-service on the planet.
The contest was organised by the airline Loganair, which operates the service on behalf of Orkney Island Council.
Danni Muir, aged 11, of Dounby Community School, took the first prize for the primary school age category, creating an eye-catching illustration of an Orcadian sky-line which also includes two puffins, an extremely common bird in the northern isles.
The top-prize in the Junior High bracket was claimed by 14-year-old Erynn Stevenson of Stronsay Junior High School, whose pastel artwork of a sun-set was a unanimous favourite with the judging panel which included representatives from Loganair, Orkney Island Council and The Orcadian.
The winners will receive a pair of return tickets to any destination in Loganair’s Scottish network.
The competition was open to all 16 of Orkney’s primary and junior high schools with 554 entries received in total.
Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s managing director, said: “Firstly let me extend my congratulations to our two winning artists – it’s a marvellous achievement to stave off competition from more than 500 other entries.
“Your designs will be seen in the skies above Orkney which really is a prize money can’t buy. I’d also like to say a big well done to the four runners-up while offering thanks to everyone who took part.
“The quality of the artworks we received was extremely impressive and it was pretty difficult to narrow down a shortlist never mind select an overall winner but after much deliberation we’ve picked six designs.
“Hopefully the framed artworks we’ve provided will decorate your houses for many years to come.”
