Dounby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dounby |
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![]() The Smithfield Hotel stands at the crossroads where the A986 and B9057 meet |
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OS grid reference | HY290207 |
Civil parish | |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | ORKNEY |
Postcode district | KW17 |
Dialling code | 01856 |
Police | Northern |
Fire | Highlands and Islands |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament |
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Scottish Parliament |
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Dounby is a small village located on Mainland, which is the largest island in Orkney. Orkney is a group of islands found in the far north of Scotland.
Dounby is an important local hub. It sits right where two main roads, the A986 and B9057, meet. The village has grown near the edges of three different areas called parishes: Sandwick, Birsay, and Harray. Most of Dounby is actually in the Sandwick parish.
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Discover Dounby: A Village Hub
Dounby is a busy place that serves many nearby communities. It has a good range of shops and services for people living in the area.
What Can You Find in Dounby?
The village offers many useful places for its residents. You can find a Co-operative Food store for groceries. There is also a doctor's office and a pharmacy for health needs. A care home, a pub, and a post office are also part of the village. You can even get your hair cut at the local hairdressers! Dounby also has a church and a community school. This school welcomes students from Birsay, Dounby, Harray, Sandwick, Stenness, and Twatt.
Dounby's Role in Government
Even though Dounby is a small village, it is part of larger areas that help govern Scotland.
How Dounby Connects to Parliament
Dounby is part of the Orkney and Shetland area. This area elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to the UK Parliament in London. This MP helps make laws for the whole country. Dounby is also in the Orkney area. This area elects a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The MSP helps make laws for Scotland.
The Famous Dounby Show
One of the most exciting events in Dounby is the West Mainland Agricultural Show. People often just call it the Dounby Show.
When Does the Show Happen?
This popular show takes place every August. It is always held on the Thursday before the main Orkney County Show. The County Show is a bigger event that happens in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. The County Show is always on the second Saturday in August. The Dounby Show is a great chance to see local farm animals, crafts, and enjoy the community spirit.