Local producers Cooke Scotland and Scottish Sea Farms, together with trade body Salmon Scotland, have supported the event from the outset.
They are providing sponsorship, safety vessels for sailing competitions, and volunteers to help the week run smoothly.
Scottish Sea Farms is supplying boats and crew to support the sailing events off Hatston pier, while staff from both companies will be involved in a range of activities throughout the sporting extravaganza.
The Games run from July 12 to 18, with more than 2,000 athletes from 24 island groups competing in a dozen sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, lawn bowls, sailing, squash, swimming and triathlon.
The opening ceremony takes place this Saturday at Bignold Park in Kirkwall, hosted by ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly and officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
Visitors can meet local producers at the Games Expo outside the Pickaquoy Centre all week, where they’ll share insights about farming in Orkney, the nutritional benefits of Scottish salmon, and how it supports the local economy.
In addition to sponsoring the games, Scottish Sea Farms has made a separate donation of £10,000 from its ‘Heart of the Community’ fund to the Orkney Islands Games Association’s team, which is fielding its biggest ever cohort of well over 200 competitors.
The team funding will primarily be used for kit and sporting wear, uniforms and strips, and Scottish Sea Farms is also the front of shirt sponsor for the Orkney team.
The company is donating 60kg of salmon to the event, and Scottish Sea Farms staff will be involved in volunteering to help the smooth running of the Games.
Cooke Scotland sponsors the Shetland Island Games Association.
West coast and Hebridean salmon farmers Bakkafrost Scotland are supporting the Scottish salmon stand in the Games Expo and separately sponsors the Western Isles Island Games Association, as well as the Western Isles’ swimming team under their ‘Native Hebridean’ brand.
Colin Blair, managing director of Cooke Scotland, said:
“Cooke’s purpose is to cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities.
“We’re proud to support all the athletes competing at the Games – the wonderful people of Orkney are the perfect tourism hosts, and Scotland is indeed the perfect stage.”
Will Scott, Scottish Sea Farms’ area manager for Orkney, said:
“We’re delighted to play a role in the Island Games’ success and, in particular, support Team Orkney on their pursuit for medals.
“With over 2,000 competitors and many more spectators making their way to Orkney, our thanks and support also go to the organisers and volunteers who will no doubt make the week one for the record books.”
Tavish Scott, chief executive at Salmon Scotland, said:
“As a key source of protein, omega-3 and essential vitamins and minerals, Scottish salmon is chosen by athletes for its performance boosting properties, so it makes perfect sense for salmon farmers to work together to help bring elite level sporting competition to Orkney.
“Salmon farming companies sponsor island games teams from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and have been part of many athletes’ sporting journeys for many years.
“Ahead of the biggest week for Orkney in living memory we’re proud to play our part in bringing the Island Games to Orkney for the first time, and we wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”
Salmon farmers from across Orkney are lending their support as the islands prepare to host the International Island Games for the first time ever this week.
Orkney salmon farmers Scottish Sea Farms is the primary sponsor of Team Orkney, pictured here outside St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney.
Around 15 per cent of all Scottish salmon is farmed in Orkney, where cold, fast-moving waters provide ideal conditions for premium fish, including prestigious Label Rouge and organic certified salmon.
Exports from Orkney reached £97 million last year, up 46 per cent from £66 million the previous year, as demand for Scotland’s most popular fish continues to grow.
Analysis of HMRC figures shows that 11,651 tonnes were exported from Orkney in 2024, accounting for around 11 per cent of Scotland’s total salmon exports.
The sector directly supports around 200 jobs on the islands and hundreds more indirectly in supply chain companies, with local salmon farms playing a vital role in island communities.