Top 10 Best PR Agencies in Orkney Islands

Public Relations for an Island With Global Appeal

Orkney regularly makes headlines far beyond Scotland. Archaeological discoveries at the Ness of Brodgar, pioneering tidal and hydrogen energy projects at the European Marine Energy Centre, award-winning whiskies and the islands' frequent ranking as one of the best places to live in the UK all attract national and international media attention. For island businesses and organisations, effective public relations can turn this interest into opportunity.

PR involves building relationships with journalists, crafting compelling stories, managing reputation and responding to crises. This guide ranks the ten best PR agencies and media partners for Orkney businesses.

The Top 10 PR Partners for Orkney

1. Pagoda Porter Novelli

Pagoda Porter Novelli is one of Scotland's leading PR consultancies, based in Edinburgh and part of a global network. Its expertise spans consumer PR, corporate communications, public affairs and crisis management, making it suitable for larger Orkney organisations and ambitious brands.

2. Weber Shandwick Scotland

Weber Shandwick's Scottish team in Glasgow delivers corporate, consumer and public affairs communications backed by a global network. It is particularly relevant for energy, infrastructure and public sector projects with national significance.

3. Charlotte Street Partners

Charlotte Street Partners is an Edinburgh-based strategic communications firm specialising in corporate reputation, public affairs and stakeholder engagement. Its expertise suits organisations navigating policy, investment and complex stakeholder landscapes, such as renewable energy developers.

4. Stripe Communications

Stripe Communications is a creative PR agency in Glasgow known for consumer campaigns that capture media and public attention. Food, drink and tourism businesses seeking memorable launches and campaigns benefit from its creative flair.

5. Smarts

Smarts is an independent communications agency offering PR, social media and creative services. Its consumer and corporate experience helps brands secure coverage and build reputation across Scotland and the UK.

6. Clark Communications

Clark Communications is an Edinburgh PR agency with expertise in consumer, corporate and crisis communications. Its experienced team helps businesses secure positive coverage and protect their reputation.

7. Holyrood PR

Holyrood PR is an Edinburgh-based agency providing PR, public affairs and digital communications. Its understanding of Scottish media and politics helps organisations engage with key audiences and decision-makers.

8. Frasermedia

Frasermedia is a Glasgow PR agency offering media relations, content and crisis communications. Its practical, results-driven approach suits small and medium-sized businesses seeking regular coverage.

9. The Orcadian

The Orcadian is Orkney's weekly newspaper and a key outlet for local news. Building strong relationships with its journalists is essential for any business or organisation seeking coverage within the islands.

10. BBC Radio Orkney

BBC Radio Orkney provides local news and features for island listeners. Securing interviews and coverage on local radio helps businesses, charities and event organisers reach the wider community.

Why PR Matters for Orkney Businesses

Earned media coverage carries credibility that paid advertising cannot match. A feature in a national newspaper, travel magazine or broadcast programme can drive significant interest in a tourism business, product or project. PR also supports recruitment, investment and community relations, which are especially important in a small island where reputation travels quickly. For organisations involved in sensitive projects, such as energy infrastructure or planning applications, strategic communications are crucial for stakeholder engagement.

PR Trends

Digital PR, which earns online coverage and backlinks to support search rankings, has become a core service. Influencer relations, involving travel bloggers and content creators visiting Orkney, help tourism businesses reach new audiences. Purpose-driven communications highlighting sustainability, community benefit and heritage preservation resonate strongly with media and consumers. Rapid-response and crisis communications are increasingly important in a social media era where stories can escalate quickly.

Telling the Orkney Story

Orkney offers journalists compelling angles: ancient history meets cutting-edge renewable innovation, tight-knit communities meet global exports, and dramatic landscapes meet creative craftsmanship. Successful PR campaigns connect individual business stories to these broader narratives. For example, a distillery might highlight its connection to island farming, while a tour company could link to new archaeological discoveries.

Choosing a PR Partner

Consider whether you need local, national or international coverage. Look for agencies with relevant sector experience and strong media relationships. Ask for case studies and examples of coverage achieved. Clarify how success will be measured, whether through coverage volume, audience reach, website traffic or business outcomes. For smaller businesses, project-based PR support around launches or events can be more cost-effective than ongoing retainers.

Preparing for Media Opportunities

Businesses can make it easier for journalists to cover them by preparing a simple press pack with a company background, key facts, high-quality photographs and short biographies of spokespeople. Having a clear point of contact and responding promptly to media enquiries is essential, as journalists often work to tight deadlines. Practising key messages before interviews helps spokespeople communicate confidently, and keeping a log of coverage allows businesses to track impact and share positive stories on their own channels.

Conclusion

Public relations helps Orkney businesses share their stories with the world and build lasting reputations. From leading Scottish consultancies such as Pagoda Porter Novelli and Charlotte Street Partners to local outlets like The Orcadian and BBC Radio Orkney, island organisations have strong partners to help them earn attention and trust.