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Band D: £2,321 · Single person: £1,904 · Ranked 20 of 32
Band D (total)
£2,321
Council element
£1,669
Water & sewerage
£652
Year-on-year change
+6%
Select your council tax band — your choice is saved for next time.
Water and sewerage charges are the same for all households in your area regardless of band.
| Band | Property value (1991) | Ratio to D | Annual (inc. water) | Monthly | Single person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £27,000 | 66.7% | £1,547 | £129 | £1,323 |
| Band B | £27,001–£35,000 | 77.8% | £1,805 | £150 | £1,517 |
| Band C | £35,001–£45,000 | 88.9% | £2,063 | £172 | £1,710 |
| Band D | £45,001–£58,000 | 100.0% | £2,321 | £193 | £1,904 |
| Band E | £58,001–£80,000 | 131.4% | £3,050 | £254 | £2,451 |
| Band F | £80,001–£106,000 | 162.5% | £3,772 | £314 | £2,992 |
| Band G | £106,001–£212,000 | 195.8% | £4,545 | £379 | £3,572 |
| Band H | Over £212,000 | 245.0% | £5,686 | £474 | £4,428 |
“Single person” column shows the 25% discount applied to the council element only — Scottish Water charges are unchanged. Students, carers, and severely mentally impaired people are disregarded when counting adults.
Scotland-specific: Council tax bills here include water and sewerage charges (£652/year at Band D) collected on behalf of Scottish Water. England bills these separately, which is why Scottish bills look higher but cover more services.
Amounts shown are for Band D. Your actual instalments depend on your band and any discounts or exemptions applied to your account.
Band D rate 2025/26, cheapest to most expensive. Your council is highlighted.
Source: Scottish Government, council tax collection statistics 2025/26.
Orkney Islands ranks 20 of 32 Scottish councils by Band D rate. The Scottish average is £2,310; Orkney Islands is £11 above that.
Orkney has benefited from an unusual financial position: North Sea oil-era harbour dues at Flotta terminal created a substantial reserve fund — the Orkney Islands Council Charitable Trust — that has supplemented council revenue for decades. A 6% rise in 2026/27 is among the more modest increases in Scotland. Population is small and stable, services are well-maintained, and deprivation levels are among the lowest in Scotland. Energy transition — Orkney has pioneered tidal and wind generation — is expected to generate further income over the coming decade, providing long-term budget support.
Orkney Islands Council approved a 6% council tax rise for 2026/27 at its February 2026 budget meeting — among the most modest rises in Scotland. As an independent-led council, members debated the unique position of the islands' supplementary income from harbour dues and renewables. The administration argued the rise reflected a continued ability to draw on the Orkney Islands Council Charitable Trust reserves. Investment in modern schools and the islands' leisure estate was protected. [REVIEW: verify motion details.]
Median earnings in Orkney are approximately £28,000. The Band D bill of £2,321 represents around 8.3% of gross median pay, above the Scottish average. Despite the moderate rise, residents face high costs of living from ferry dependency and limited retail competition. The Orkney Islands Council Charitable Trust — funded by oil harbour dues — continues to supplement council revenue, keeping bills lower than comparable island authorities.
Orkney has historically benefited from an unusual financial position: North Sea oil-era harbour dues at Flotta terminal created the Orkney Islands Council Charitable Trust, which has supplemented council revenue for decades. Population is small and stable, services are well-maintained, and deprivation levels are among the lowest in Scotland. Orkney has pioneered tidal and wind generation, which is expected to generate further income over the coming decade.
See what you take home after council tax and income tax
Take-Home Pay Calculator →25% single person discount
If you live alone, your Band D bill drops from £2,321 to £1,904/year — saving £417. Apply directly to Orkney Islands council.
Student exemption
Properties occupied entirely by full-time students are fully exempt. Mixed households (students + non-students) get a 25% discount per disregarded adult instead.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
Income-based reduction for low-income households. Up to 100% off — separate from the single person discount, and you can receive both at once.
Disabled person's band reduction
If your property has been adapted for a disabled person's needs (e.g. a wheelchair-accessible room or additional bathroom), it can be valued as one band lower.
Severely mentally impaired (SMI) disregard
A person who has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning as a result of a condition such as dementia, stroke, or Parkinson's is disregarded when counting adults.
The premium is levied on properties that are not used as a main residence. Some exemptions apply (e.g. properties marketed for sale, job-related dwellings). Contact Orkney Islands Council to confirm your liability.
If you miss an instalment, the council sends a reminder. You have 7 days to pay the overdue amount and bring your account up to date. Most councils issue up to two reminders in any financial year.
If reminders are ignored, the council applies to the Sheriff Court for a Liability Order — a court order confirming the debt. This can be granted without you attending. Court costs (typically £70–£100) are added to your debt.
Once a Liability Order exists, the council can instruct your employer to deduct money from your wages before you receive them. In Scotland this is called an Earnings Arrestment and is governed by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987. Protected minimums apply.
The council can freeze and seize money in your bank accounts. A protected minimum of £529.90 (2025/26 figure) is exempt, but amounts above this can be taken.
As a last resort, the council can seek an Exceptional Attachment Order to seize and sell property. Imprisonment for wilful non-payment remains technically possible in Scotland (unlike England) but is extremely rare and requires proof of deliberate refusal rather than inability to pay.
Struggling to pay? Contact the council before you fall behind.
All Scottish councils have hardship funds, can set up affordable payment plans, and can check your eligibility for discounts and exemptions. Acting early prevents court involvement.
Free debt advice: Citizens Advice Scotland — 0800 028 1456 (free, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | StepChange Scotland — 0800 138 1111 (free, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–2pm)
2026/27 is the confirmed rate. Earlier years are estimates derived from Scotland-wide average increases. 2026/27 is the confirmed rate. Prior years are estimates based on Scotland-wide average increases. Note: 2023/24 was a partial freeze year — most councils raised rates by 0% in exchange for a Scottish Government compensation grant, though some opted out and raised by up to 5%.
| Year | Band D (inc. water) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £1,813 | — |
| 2023/24 | £1,904 | +5% |
| 2024/25 | £2,028 | +6.5% |
| 2025/26 | £2,190 | +8% |
| 2026/27 ★ | £2,321 | +6% |
Council tax in Orkney Islands for 2026/27 is £2,321 per year at Band D, including water and sewerage charges. The cheapest band (Band A) is £1,547/year, and the most expensive (Band H) is £5,686/year. A single person living alone pays £1,904/year at Band D — a saving of £417.
Yes. Orkney Islands's Band D rate of £2,321 is £11 above the Scottish average of approximately £2,310. The council component (excluding water) is £1,669.
The main discounts in Orkney Islands are: 25% single person discount (reduces Band D to £1,904/year), full student exemption for all-student households, and Council Tax Reduction (up to 100% for low-income households). Second homes in Orkney Islands pay a 100% premium on the council element — a Band D second home costs £3,990/year instead of £2,321.
Yes. Unlike England and Wales, Scottish council tax bills include water and sewerage charges collected on behalf of Scottish Water. In Orkney Islands, the water component is £652/year at Band D, with the remaining £1,669 going to the council for local services.
Band challenges in Orkney Islands — and across all of Scotland — are handled by the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA), not the council itself. You can check your property's valuation and submit a challenge at saa.gov.uk. Common grounds include: your property value was incorrectly assessed in 1991, the property has been altered to reduce its value, or a comparable property in the same street is in a lower band.
Could you be paying less council tax?
Check discounts, reductions, and whether your property is in the right band.
Council Tax Calculator →Apply for single person discount (25% off)
Saves £417/year — your Band D bill drops to £1,904.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction
Income-based reduction of up to 100%. Apply through the council — not the DWP.
Pay your council tax online
Pay Orkney Islands council tax by card, direct debit, or other methods.
Challenge your council tax band
The Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) handles all band challenges across Scotland.
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Rates shown are for 2026/27 and include Scottish Water charges. Verify your exact bill with Orkney Islands council directly. Property valuations are based on 1991 values. Single person discount applies to the council element only — water charges are not reduced. Last data verification: 2026-05-20. Source: Orkney Islands council, Scottish Government.