- Following the roaring success of the Orkney 2025 International Island Games, Orkney is gearing up to embrace another massive summer of sport.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 02.02.2026) :: Last July, Orkney welcomed more than 2,000 athletes and officials from 24 island groups, as the islands hosted the biggest event in their history. Across a week-long festival of sport, communities came together to celebrate competition, culture and connection.
With memories of that history-making week still fresh, Orkney is now pledging to go ‘All In’ for Glasgow 2026 - carrying the buzz of the Island Games into the year ahead.
Reflecting on the impact of last summer’s Games and looking ahead to Glasgow 2026, Orkney Islands Council Sports Development Officer Elaine Harcus said:
“The impact has been huge. As well as the really tangible outcomes, like increased sports club membership and participation, I also think it has changed how people here see live sporting events.
“For so many folk, this was the first live sporting event they had ever seen, and naturally some were sceptical in the run-up.
“But I think we really proved just how exciting live sport can be, and with Glasgow 2026 just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to keep that buzz going.”
In the lead-up to the Island Games, Orkney’s Active Schools team delivered an Orkney 2025 roadshow to schools across the island, giving pupils the chance to try different sports and learn about the history of the Games.
Active Schools Coordinator Carolynn Leslie and her team are eager to deliver a similar programme in the build-up to Glasgow 2026 and are in the early planning stages of a summer holiday festival programme, where each day will focus on a different Glasgow 2026 sport.
“We saw just how successful and engaging the Orkney 2025 roadshow was,” Carolynn shared.
“I volunteered at the athletics all week during the Games and had bairns coming up to me saying they were there to watch because of what they’d learned in our sessions.
“There’s no reason why we can’t do the same for Glasgow 2026.”
Looking ahead, both Elaine and Carolynn are busy preparing for Orkney’s Sports Awards, which take place later this month.
“Because of the Island Games, these are the biggest awards we’ve ever had,” Carolynn said.
“When you look at the incredible nominees, it’s unbelievable the level our athletes are competing at.”
One athlete who stood out last summer - and is nominated for Orkney’s Female Sportsperson of the Year - is Team Scotland sprinter Taylah Paterson, who claimed an incredible four gold medals at the Orkney Games.
Having represented Team Scotland in the 4x100m relay at Birmingham 2022, Paterson is now hoping to pull on the Scotland vest for her second Commonwealth Games this summer.
“When people have the chance to watch someone like Taylah win four golds at home in Orkney, and then really get behind her as she aims to be selected for Team Scotland, it adds another layer of excitement,” Elaine expressed.
“As islanders, we can sometimes feel far away from events on the mainland, but I think there’s a real opportunity here to carry over the momentum that can still be felt from the Island Games into this new year and another massive summer of sport.”
All In is the national call to action for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. A Scotland-wide movement inviting communities, schools, sports clubs, cultural and voluntary organisations and businesses to celebrate the Games in their own altogether brilliant way.
Reaching from the Highlands to the Lowlands and every glen, town and shore in between, All In gives people the tools to create inclusive, locally-led activities and events that build excitement, pride and connection ahead of an unforgettable summer of sport.
With free official branding, ready-to-use digital toolkits and opportunities for nationwide visibility, All In empowers supporters to get involved in a way that works for them and their communities, boosting skills, wellbeing and local impact. From townhall events to pub watchalongs, decorated shopfronts to family festivals…It’s our Games, your Games, a’body’s Games.
Together, we’re All In for Glasgow 2026.
Cr-Glasgow2026
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