Orkney council tax 2026/27
Orkney Islands Council charges £1,669.07 for Band D in 2026/27, up 6%. That is £181.17 more than Shetland.
- Up 6% on 2025/26
- 13th lowest of 32 councils with 2026/27 figures
- With water and waste water: £2,321.39
Orkney council tax charges by band
Council tax plus Scottish Water's water and waste water charges, before any discount.
| Band | Council tax | Water and waste water | Total a year | 10 payments | 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Aup to £27,000 in 1991 | £1,112.71 | £434.88 | £1,547.59 | £154.76 | £128.97 |
| Band B£27,001 to £35,000 in 1991 | £1,298.17 | £507.36 | £1,805.53 | £180.55 | £150.46 |
| Band C£35,001 to £45,000 in 1991 | £1,483.62 | £579.84 | £2,063.46 | £206.35 | £171.96 |
| Band D£45,001 to £58,000 in 1991 | £1,669.07 | £652.32 | £2,321.39 | £232.14 | £193.45 |
| Band E£58,001 to £80,000 in 1991 | £2,192.98 | £797.28 | £2,990.26 | £299.03 | £249.19 |
| Band F£80,001 to £106,000 in 1991 | £2,712.25 | £942.24 | £3,654.49 | £365.45 | £304.54 |
| Band G£106,001 to £212,000 in 1991 | £3,268.61 | £1,087.20 | £4,355.81 | £435.58 | £362.98 |
| Band Hover £212,000 in 1991 | £4,089.24 | £1,304.64 | £5,393.88 | £539.39 | £449.49 |
Band D in Orkney compared with the lowest, the average and the highest council
Council tax £1,669.07 plus water and waste water £652.32 a year.
Band D in Orkney is £1,669.07 for 2026/27. The 6% rise adds £94.47 to last year's £1,574.60.
Orkney is about £16 above the Scottish average of £1,653. Of Scotland's 32 councils, it is 13th lowest.
Orkney against Shetland and Highland
The two northern island councils are far apart. Shetland's Band D is £1,487.90, which is £181.17 below Orkney's.
Highland, across the Pentland Firth, charges £35.08 less than Orkney at Band D. The Western Isles, the third island council, is £163.57 cheaper than Orkney.
Council tax plus Scottish Water
The council publishes its band charges together with Scottish Water's. For a Band C home, that is £1,483.62 plus £579.84, or £2,063.46 for the year.
Over the usual 10 monthly instalments, the Band C total is £206.35 a month. A Band C home with one adult pays £1,112.72 in council tax.
Second Home Premium on Orkney bills
A 100% surcharge on second homes has applied since 1 April 2024. It appears on bills as a Second Home Premium, and it doubles the charge.
Paying council tax in Orkney
The council's paying council tax page explains the options. The 25% single adult discount comes off the water part of the bill as well. If the council agrees to 12 payments, a Band D bill works out at £139.09 a month.
Let the council know when you move or when someone joins or leaves the household.
Help with costs
One adult living on their own gets a 25% discount. Council Tax Reduction can reduce the bill for lower-income households, and you can claim both.
Quick answers
- How much is Band D council tax in Orkney?
£1,669.07 for 2026/27, a rise of 6% on £1,574.60.
- Is council tax higher in Orkney or Shetland?
Orkney. Its Band D is £181.17 a year more than Shetland's £1,487.90.
- What is the Second Home Premium on Orkney council tax bills?
It is a 100% surcharge on second homes, in place since 1 April 2024. Second homes pay double.
- How much are water charges on an Orkney Band D home?
Scottish Water's Band D charge is £652.32. With council tax, a Band D home pays £2,321.39 in 2026/27.