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£2,063/year including water & sewerage
Annual (Band C)
£2,063
Monthly
£172
Single person (25% off)
£1,547
Weekly
£40
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Band D reference rate (Orkney Islands) | £2,321/year |
| Band C ratio to Band D | 8/9 (88.9%) |
| Calculation | £2,321 × 88.9% = £2,063 |
| Scottish average Band C | £2,053/year |
| vs Scottish average | £10 above average |
Scottish average calculated from national average Band D of £2,310 × 8/9 (88.9%).
| Year | Band C annual | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £1,612 | — |
| 2023/24 | £1,692 | +5.0% |
| 2024/25 | £1,803 | +6.5% |
| 2025/26 | £1,947 | +8.0% |
| 2026/27 ◀ current | £2,063 | +6.0% |
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%.
1991 valuation: £35,001–£45,000
Band C covers properties valued £35,001–£45,000 in 1991. In Orkney Islands for 2026/27, Band C costs £2,063/year (£172/month including water and sewerage). This is £10 above the Scottish average Band C rate of £2,053. Compared to Band D in Orkney Islands (£2,321/year), Band C households pay £258/year less. The 25% single person discount reduces Band C in Orkney Islands to £1,547/year.
% of median salary
7.4%
Weeks of median pay
3.8
Median local salary
£28,000
Band C council tax in Orkney Islands (£2,063/year) represents 7.4% of the median gross full-time salary for the area (£28,000/year). That is the equivalent of approximately 3.8 weeks of median gross earnings. The Scottish average Band C rate of £2,053/year represents 7.3% of the same local median.
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Median gross full-time earnings, approximate.
| Band | Property value (1991) | Annual | Monthly | With 25% discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £27,000 | £1,547 | £129 | £1,160 |
| Band B | £27,001–£35,000 | £1,805 | £150 | £1,354 |
| Band C ◀ | £35,001–£45,000 | £2,063 | £172 | £1,547 |
| Band D | £45,001–£58,000 | £2,321 | £193 | £1,741 |
| Band E | £58,001–£80,000 | £2,990 | £249 | £2,243 |
| Band F | £80,001–£106,000 | £3,654 | £305 | £2,741 |
| Band G | £106,001–£212,000 | £4,355 | £363 | £3,266 |
| Band H | Over £212,000 | £5,393 | £449 | £4,045 |
10 monthly instalments
Standard — April to January
£206/month
No payment in February or March
12 monthly instalments
On request from council
£172/month
Spreads the same total over all 12 months
Annual lump sum
Pay in full upfront
£2,063
Some councils offer a small discount
25% single person discount
Saves £516/year (reducing your bill to £1,547/year). Anyone living alone automatically qualifies. Adults who are full-time students, carers, or severely mentally impaired are disregarded when counting.
Apply for single person discount — Orkney Islands→Student exemption
Properties occupied entirely by full-time students are fully exempt — the Band C bill is £0. Mixed households (some students, some non-students) do not get the full exemption but students are disregarded for the single-person discount.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
A means-tested discount available to working-age and pension-age households on low incomes. CTR can reduce your Band C bill by up to 100% and is separate from the single person discount — you can receive both simultaneously.
Apply for CTR — Orkney Islands→Disabled person's band reduction
If someone in your household is severely disabled and needs extra space or a specific room (e.g. for a wheelchair), your property is assessed as one band lower. For Band C, this means paying Band B rates instead — saving £258/year.
Scotland note: Your Band C bill of £2,063 includes £652/year for Scottish Water charges — water and sewerage are bundled into council tax in Scotland, unlike England where they are separate bills.
Council tax Band C in Orkney Islands is £2,063 per year for 2026/27, including water and sewerage charges from Scottish Water. This works out to £172 per month or £40 per week. If you live alone, the 25% single person discount reduces this to £1,547 per year.
Yes. Orkney Islands's Band C rate of £2,063 is £10 above the Scottish average Band C rate of £2,053. The Scottish average is calculated using the national average Band D rate of £2,310 multiplied by the Band C ratio of 88.9%.
Band A is the cheapest council tax band in Orkney Islands, costing £1,547/year (£129/month) for 2026/27. Band H is the most expensive at £5,393/year. The full range in Orkney Islands spans £3,846/year between the cheapest and most expensive band. Band C costs £516/year more than Band A in Orkney Islands.
To challenge your council tax band in Orkney Islands, contact the local Assessor's office — not the council itself. The Scottish Assessors Association handles all banding queries. You can make a formal proposal if you think your property is in the wrong band, particularly if similar properties nearby are in a lower band, or if you have evidence the 1991 valuation was wrong. Be aware that a successful challenge could also result in your band being increased.
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Rates shown are for 2026/27 and include Scottish Water charges of £652/year. Verify your exact bill with Orkney Islands council directly. Property valuations are based on 1991 values as set when council tax was introduced.