Fernvalley, a tourist attraction, wildlife centre and café in Rendall, closed on the 18th of May 2025 due to a conflict with Orkney Islands Council Planning Department over insulation.

The owners said they’re “tired of fighting” with the council. They are getting nowhere and they have had enough, saying closing was “the only option”.

The council have decided that insulation in the roof, that has been there since 2019, is “unsuitable” and will have to be removed. This means that the owners, who hoped to sell the business as a going concern, are unable to do so and they will have to close instead.

Since all the animals in the wildlife centre were rescue animals, they reassured everyone that none of them would be put down because of the closure, and they would all be re-homed. 

By Katelyn L