Orkney Islands council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Orkney Islands is £1,669.07 a year for 2026/27, plus £652.32 for water and sewerage. That's up 6.0% on 2025/26 and £16 more than the Scotland average. Most homes here are in band B: 25% of them.
Band D, 2026/27, with water and sewerage
£2,321.39 a year
- Council
- Orkney Islands Council
- Type
- Scottish council
- Nation
- Scotland
- Rank
- the 13th cheapest of 32 councils in Scotland
- Scotland average
- £1,653.44 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Orkney Islands council tax bands 2026/27
Council tax plus Scottish Water's water and sewerage charges, which the council collects on the same bill. Scottish councils collect in 10 monthly payments (May to February) unless you agree 12.
| Band | Council tax | Water and sewerage | Total a year | Monthly, 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,112.71 | £434.88 | £1,547.59 | £154.76 |
| Band B | £1,298.17 | £507.36 | £1,805.53 | £180.55 |
| Band C | £1,483.62 | £579.84 | £2,063.46 | £206.35 |
| Band D | £1,669.07 | £652.32 | £2,321.39 | £232.14 |
| Band E | £2,192.97 | £797.28 | £2,990.25 | £299.02 |
| Band F | £2,712.24 | £942.24 | £3,654.48 | £365.45 |
| Band G | £3,268.60 | £1,087.20 | £4,355.80 | £435.58 |
| Band H | £4,089.22 | £1,304.64 | £5,393.86 | £539.39 |
Council tax bands as published by the Scottish Government; water and sewerage charges set by Scottish Water and the same across Scotland. Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
In Scotland the council keeps the whole council tax; police and fire are funded nationally. Water and sewerage (£652.32 at Band D) go to Scottish Water.
Homes in each band
43% of the 11,339 homes in Orkney Islands are in band A or B, and 4% are in band F or above.
Scottish Government, dwellings by council tax band, 1 September 2025. Counts are rounded.
Discounts and premiums in Orkney Islands
Everyone in Scotland gets the national discounts: 25% off if you live alone, nothing to pay for all-student homes, and one band lower if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. How discounts work. Orkney Islands also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year |
| Local discounts | 10% discount on empty properties for up to 12 months from last occupation; Unoccupied and unfurnished: exempt up to 6 months then 50% discount for up to 6 months; Surcharge delayed (10% discount continues) until 2 years empty if genuinely marketed for sale or let, or 3 years in the North or South Isles (excluding Burray and South Ronaldsay); 50% discount instead of surcharge for a second home kept to maintain employment where daily commuting across water from the main Orkney residence is not possible |
Source: Orkney Islands Council website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Scotland has a national Council Tax Reduction scheme, run by each council. Orkney Islands Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Orkney Islands over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £1,669.07 |
| 2025/26 | £1,574.60 |
| 2024/25 | £1,369.21 |
| 2023/24 | £1,369.21 |
| 2022/23 | £1,244.73 |
| 2021/22 | £1,208.48 |
| 2020/21 | £1,208.48 |
| 2019/20 | £1,152.69 |
| 2018/19 | £1,100.00 |
| 2017/18 | £1,068.00 |
| 2016/17 | £1,037.00 |
| 2015/16 | £1,037.00 |
| 2014/15 | £1,037.00 |
| 2013/14 | £1,037.00 |
| 2012/13 | £1,037.00 |
| 2011/12 | £1,037.00 |
| 2010/11 | £1,037.00 |
| 2009/10 | £1,037.00 |
| 2008/09 | £1,037.00 |
| 2007/08 | £1,037.00 |
| 2006/07 | £1,007.00 |
| 2005/06 | £973.00 |
| 2004/05 | £940.00 |
| 2003/04 | £900.00 |
| 2002/03 | £824.00 |
| 2001/02 | £754.00 |
| 2000/01 | £690.00 |
| 1999/00 | £624.00 |
| 1998/99 | £595.00 |
| 1997/98 | £515.00 |
| 1996/97 | £480.00 |
Band D council tax, excluding water and sewerage. 1996/97 to 2026/27.
Pay, check your band or apply for a discount
This site is independent. To pay, see your exact bill, tell the council you've moved or apply for a discount, use the council's own site.
Questions
How much is council tax in Orkney Islands?
In 2026/27 Band D is £1,669.07 a year in council tax, or £2,321.39 with Scottish Water's water and sewerage charges. Bands run from £1,112.71 (Band A) to £4,089.22 (Band H).
How much is Band B council tax a month in Orkney Islands?
Band B is £1,805.53 a year including water and sewerage: £180.55 a month over 10 payments or £150.46 over 12. Band B is the most common band here (25% of homes).
How much did Orkney Islands council tax go up?
Band D rose from £1,574.60 in 2025/26 to £1,669.07 in 2026/27, an increase of 6.0% (£94.47).
Does Orkney Islands charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Orkney Islands charges a 100% premium on second homes in 2026/27, so the owner pays 200% of the normal charge.
Who do I pay council tax to in Orkney Islands?
You pay Orkney Islands Council, which collects the whole bill. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax by band 2026-27 (Council Tax datasets, Scottish Government; from the Council Tax Assumptions 2026 statistical return), Scottish Government, published 31 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- Scottish Water: Unmetered Charges 2026-27, Scottish Water
- Council Tax: stock of properties, 2026 - CTSOP1.1: number of properties by Council Tax band, local authority and LSOA/MSOA at 31 March 2026 (geography = LAUA rows), Valuation Office Agency, checked 27 October 2026
- Council website (premiums and discounts), checked 27 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we compile these figures.