First Minister John Swinney has agreed to raise the future of Kirkwall Post Office with the UK Government following its sudden closure last week.

The commitment came after Orkney MSP Liam McArthur raised the loss of the branch during First Minister’s Questions, with islanders and businesses still waiting to learn when and where services will return.

McArthur and Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael have been in discussions with Post Office representatives about the handling of the closure.

No firm timetable for reopening the Kirkwall branch has yet been provided.

McArthur used his question to the First Minister to highlight the impact the loss of postal services is having on people and businesses across Orkney.

The closure has left uncertainty over when a replacement branch will open and where it will be located.

McArthur said:

“The importance of Kirkwall Post Office to the community and local businesses cannot be overstated.

“These are vital services, and islanders must be provided with clear information about when and indeed where a new branch will reopen.

“Alistair Carmichael and I will continue to demand answers from the Post Office.

“In the meantime, I welcome the First Minister’s willingness to make representations to the UK Government.

“It is vital we find ways to make delivering postal services in places like Orkney more sustainable.”

The First Minister’s commitment adds further pressure for clarity over the future of the service, but there remains no confirmed date for the Kirkwall branch to reopen.

For islanders and local businesses, the immediate question remains when postal services will return and what arrangements will be put in place for Kirkwall.