CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="client-nojs vector-feature-language-in-header-enabled vector-feature-language-in-main-page-header-disabled vector-feature-sticky-header-disabled vector-feature-page-tools-pinned-disabled vector-feature-toc-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-main-menu-pinned-disabled vector-feature-limited-width-clientpref-1 vector-feature-limited-width-content-enabled vector-feature-custom-font-size-clientpref-1 vector-feature-appearance-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-night-mode-enabled skin-theme-clientpref-day vector-toc-available" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <title>Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles - Wikipedia</title> <script>(function(){var className="client-js vector-feature-language-in-header-enabled vector-feature-language-in-main-page-header-disabled vector-feature-sticky-header-disabled vector-feature-page-tools-pinned-disabled vector-feature-toc-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-main-menu-pinned-disabled vector-feature-limited-width-clientpref-1 vector-feature-limited-width-content-enabled vector-feature-custom-font-size-clientpref-1 vector-feature-appearance-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-night-mode-enabled skin-theme-clientpref-day vector-toc-available";var cookie=document.cookie.match(/(?:^|; )enwikimwclientpreferences=([^;]+)/);if(cookie){cookie[1].split('%2C').forEach(function(pref){className=className.replace(new RegExp('(^| )'+pref.replace(/-clientpref-\w+$|[^\w-]+/g,'')+'-clientpref-\\w+( |$)'),'$1'+pref+'$2');});}document.documentElement.className=className;}());RLCONF={"wgBreakFrames":false,"wgSeparatorTransformTable":["",""],"wgDigitTransformTable":["",""],"wgDefaultDateFormat":"dmy", "wgMonthNames":["","January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"wgRequestId":"cfca9f16-3376-4c7f-b6ab-53801f89f503","wgCanonicalNamespace":"","wgCanonicalSpecialPageName":false,"wgNamespaceNumber":0,"wgPageName":"Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles","wgTitle":"Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles","wgCurRevisionId":1259297986,"wgRevisionId":1259297986,"wgArticleId":43823332,"wgIsArticle":true,"wgIsRedirect":false,"wgAction":"view","wgUserName":null,"wgUserGroups":["*"],"wgCategories":["Webarchive template wayback links","Articles with short description","Short description is different from Wikidata","Use dmy dates from April 2022","Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text","2014 Scottish independence referendum","Regionalism (politics) in the United Kingdom","Constitution of the United Kingdom","Politics of Shetland","Politics of Orkney", "Politics of the Outer Hebrides","Islands of Scotland"],"wgPageViewLanguage":"en","wgPageContentLanguage":"en","wgPageContentModel":"wikitext","wgRelevantPageName":"Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles","wgRelevantArticleId":43823332,"wgIsProbablyEditable":true,"wgRelevantPageIsProbablyEditable":true,"wgRestrictionEdit":[],"wgRestrictionMove":[],"wgNoticeProject":"wikipedia","wgCiteReferencePreviewsActive":false,"wgFlaggedRevsParams":{"tags":{"status":{"levels":1}}},"wgMediaViewerOnClick":true,"wgMediaViewerEnabledByDefault":true,"wgPopupsFlags":0,"wgVisualEditor":{"pageLanguageCode":"en","pageLanguageDir":"ltr","pageVariantFallbacks":"en"},"wgMFDisplayWikibaseDescriptions":{"search":true,"watchlist":true,"tagline":false,"nearby":true},"wgWMESchemaEditAttemptStepOversample":false,"wgWMEPageLength":20000,"wgRelatedArticlesCompat":[],"wgCentralAuthMobileDomain":false,"wgEditSubmitButtonLabelPublish":true,"wgULSPosition":"interlanguage", "wgULSisCompactLinksEnabled":false,"wgVector2022LanguageInHeader":true,"wgULSisLanguageSelectorEmpty":false,"wgWikibaseItemId":"Q15916866","wgCheckUserClientHintsHeadersJsApi":["brands","architecture","bitness","fullVersionList","mobile","model","platform","platformVersion"],"GEHomepageSuggestedEditsEnableTopics":true,"wgGETopicsMatchModeEnabled":false,"wgGEStructuredTaskRejectionReasonTextInputEnabled":false,"wgGELevelingUpEnabledForUser":false};RLSTATE={"ext.globalCssJs.user.styles":"ready","site.styles":"ready","user.styles":"ready","ext.globalCssJs.user":"ready","user":"ready","user.options":"loading","ext.cite.styles":"ready","skins.vector.search.codex.styles":"ready","skins.vector.styles":"ready","skins.vector.icons":"ready","jquery.tablesorter.styles":"ready","jquery.makeCollapsible.styles":"ready","ext.wikimediamessages.styles":"ready","ext.visualEditor.desktopArticleTarget.noscript":"ready","ext.uls.interlanguage":"ready","wikibase.client.init":"ready","ext.wikimediaBadges": "ready"};RLPAGEMODULES=["ext.cite.ux-enhancements","mediawiki.page.media","site","mediawiki.page.ready","jquery.tablesorter","jquery.makeCollapsible","mediawiki.toc","skins.vector.js","ext.centralNotice.geoIP","ext.centralNotice.startUp","ext.gadget.ReferenceTooltips","ext.gadget.switcher","ext.urlShortener.toolbar","ext.centralauth.centralautologin","mmv.bootstrap","ext.popups","ext.visualEditor.desktopArticleTarget.init","ext.visualEditor.targetLoader","ext.echo.centralauth","ext.eventLogging","ext.wikimediaEvents","ext.navigationTiming","ext.uls.interface","ext.cx.eventlogging.campaigns","ext.cx.uls.quick.actions","wikibase.client.vector-2022","ext.checkUser.clientHints","ext.growthExperiments.SuggestedEditSession","wikibase.sidebar.tracking"];</script> <script>(RLQ=window.RLQ||[]).push(function(){mw.loader.impl(function(){return["user.options@12s5i",function($,jQuery,require,module){mw.user.tokens.set({"patrolToken":"+\\","watchToken":"+\\","csrfToken":"+\\"}); }];});});</script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=ext.cite.styles%7Cext.uls.interlanguage%7Cext.visualEditor.desktopArticleTarget.noscript%7Cext.wikimediaBadges%7Cext.wikimediamessages.styles%7Cjquery.makeCollapsible.styles%7Cjquery.tablesorter.styles%7Cskins.vector.icons%2Cstyles%7Cskins.vector.search.codex.styles%7Cwikibase.client.init&only=styles&skin=vector-2022"> <script async="" src="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=startup&only=scripts&raw=1&skin=vector-2022"></script> <meta name="ResourceLoaderDynamicStyles" content=""> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/w/load.php?lang=en&modules=site.styles&only=styles&skin=vector-2022"> <meta name="generator" content="MediaWiki 1.44.0-wmf.4"> <meta name="referrer" content="origin"> <meta name="referrer" content="origin-when-cross-origin"> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:standard"> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/1200px-Scotland_map-en.jpg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1200"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="1725"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/800px-Scotland_map-en.jpg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="800"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="1150"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/640px-Scotland_map-en.jpg"> <meta property="og:image:width" content="640"> <meta property="og:image:height" content="920"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=1120"> <meta property="og:title" content="Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles - Wikipedia"> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <link rel="preconnect" href="//upload.wikimedia.org"> <link rel="alternate" media="only screen and (max-width: 640px)" href="//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"> <link rel="alternate" type="application/x-wiki" title="Edit this page" href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/static/apple-touch/wikipedia.png"> <link rel="icon" href="/static/favicon/wikipedia.ico"> <link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="/w/rest.php/v1/search" title="Wikipedia (en)"> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" href="//en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php?action=rsd"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"> <link rel="license" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en"> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" title="Wikipedia Atom feed" href="/w/index.php?title=Special:RecentChanges&feed=atom"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//meta.wikimedia.org" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//login.wikimedia.org"> </head> <body class="skin--responsive skin-vector skin-vector-search-vue mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject mw-editable page-Constitutional_status_of_Orkney_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles rootpage-Constitutional_status_of_Orkney_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles skin-vector-2022 action-view"><a class="mw-jump-link" href="#bodyContent">Jump to content</a> <div class="vector-header-container"> <header class="vector-header mw-header"> <div class="vector-header-start"> <nav class="vector-main-menu-landmark" aria-label="Site"> <div id="vector-main-menu-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown vector-main-menu-dropdown vector-button-flush-left vector-button-flush-right" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-main-menu-dropdown-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-main-menu-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Main menu" > <label id="vector-main-menu-dropdown-label" for="vector-main-menu-dropdown-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-menu mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-menu"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Main menu</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-main-menu-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> <div id="vector-main-menu" class="vector-main-menu vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-main-menu-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-unpinned" data-feature-name="main-menu-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-main-menu" data-pinned-container-id="vector-main-menu-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-main-menu-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Main menu</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-main-menu.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-main-menu.unpin">hide</button> </div> <div id="p-navigation" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-navigation" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> Navigation </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="n-mainpage-description" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Main_Page" title="Visit the main page [z]" accesskey="z"><span>Main page</span></a></li><li id="n-contents" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents" title="Guides to browsing Wikipedia"><span>Contents</span></a></li><li id="n-currentevents" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Portal:Current_events" title="Articles related to current events"><span>Current events</span></a></li><li id="n-randompage" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:Random" title="Visit a randomly selected article [x]" accesskey="x"><span>Random article</span></a></li><li id="n-aboutsite" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:About" title="Learn about Wikipedia and how it works"><span>About Wikipedia</span></a></li><li id="n-contactpage" class="mw-list-item"><a href="//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us" title="How to contact Wikipedia"><span>Contact us</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-interaction" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-interaction" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> Contribute </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="n-help" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Help:Contents" title="Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia"><span>Help</span></a></li><li id="n-introduction" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Help:Introduction" title="Learn how to edit Wikipedia"><span>Learn to edit</span></a></li><li id="n-portal" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal" title="The hub for editors"><span>Community portal</span></a></li><li id="n-recentchanges" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:RecentChanges" title="A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]" accesskey="r"><span>Recent changes</span></a></li><li id="n-upload" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard" title="Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia"><span>Upload file</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <a href="/wiki/Main_Page" class="mw-logo"> <img class="mw-logo-icon" src="/static/images/icons/wikipedia.png" alt="" aria-hidden="true" height="50" width="50"> <span class="mw-logo-container skin-invert"> <img class="mw-logo-wordmark" alt="Wikipedia" src="/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en.svg" style="width: 7.5em; height: 1.125em;"> <img class="mw-logo-tagline" alt="The Free Encyclopedia" src="/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en.svg" width="117" height="13" style="width: 7.3125em; height: 0.8125em;"> </span> </a> </div> <div class="vector-header-end"> <div id="p-search" role="search" class="vector-search-box-vue vector-search-box-collapses vector-search-box-show-thumbnail vector-search-box-auto-expand-width vector-search-box"> <a href="/wiki/Special:Search" class="cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only search-toggle" title="Search Wikipedia [f]" accesskey="f"><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-search mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-search"></span> <span>Search</span> </a> <div class="vector-typeahead-search-container"> <div class="cdx-typeahead-search cdx-typeahead-search--show-thumbnail cdx-typeahead-search--auto-expand-width"> <form action="/w/index.php" id="searchform" class="cdx-search-input cdx-search-input--has-end-button"> <div id="simpleSearch" class="cdx-search-input__input-wrapper" data-search-loc="header-moved"> <div class="cdx-text-input cdx-text-input--has-start-icon"> <input class="cdx-text-input__input" type="search" name="search" placeholder="Search Wikipedia" aria-label="Search Wikipedia" autocapitalize="sentences" title="Search Wikipedia [f]" accesskey="f" id="searchInput" > <span class="cdx-text-input__icon cdx-text-input__start-icon"></span> </div> <input type="hidden" name="title" value="Special:Search"> </div> <button class="cdx-button cdx-search-input__end-button">Search</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> <nav class="vector-user-links vector-user-links-wide" aria-label="Personal tools"> <div class="vector-user-links-main"> <div id="p-vector-user-menu-preferences" class="vector-menu mw-portlet emptyPortlet" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-vector-user-menu-userpage" class="vector-menu mw-portlet emptyPortlet" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> </ul> </div> </div> <nav class="vector-appearance-landmark" aria-label="Appearance"> <div id="vector-appearance-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown " title="Change the appearance of the page's font size, width, and color" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-appearance-dropdown-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-appearance-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Appearance" > <label id="vector-appearance-dropdown-label" for="vector-appearance-dropdown-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-appearance mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-appearance"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Appearance</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-appearance-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <div id="p-vector-user-menu-notifications" class="vector-menu mw-portlet emptyPortlet" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-vector-user-menu-overflow" class="vector-menu mw-portlet" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="pt-sitesupport-2" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item user-links-collapsible-item"><a data-mw="interface" href="https://donate.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FundraiserRedirector?utm_source=donate&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=C13_en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en" class=""><span>Donate</span></a> </li> <li id="pt-createaccount-2" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item user-links-collapsible-item"><a data-mw="interface" href="/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Constitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" title="You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory" class=""><span>Create account</span></a> </li> <li id="pt-login-2" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item user-links-collapsible-item"><a data-mw="interface" href="/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Constitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" title="You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]" accesskey="o" class=""><span>Log in</span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="vector-user-links-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown vector-user-menu vector-button-flush-right vector-user-menu-logged-out" title="Log in and more options" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-user-links-dropdown-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-user-links-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Personal tools" > <label id="vector-user-links-dropdown-label" for="vector-user-links-dropdown-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-ellipsis mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-ellipsis"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Personal tools</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="p-personal" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-personal user-links-collapsible-item" title="User menu" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="pt-sitesupport" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="https://donate.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FundraiserRedirector?utm_source=donate&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=C13_en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en"><span>Donate</span></a></li><li id="pt-createaccount" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Constitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" title="You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory"><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-userAdd mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-userAdd"></span> <span>Create account</span></a></li><li id="pt-login" class="user-links-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Constitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" title="You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]" accesskey="o"><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-logIn mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-logIn"></span> <span>Log in</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-user-menu-anon-editor" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-user-menu-anon-editor" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> Pages for logged out editors <a href="/wiki/Help:Introduction" aria-label="Learn more about editing"><span>learn more</span></a> </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="pt-anoncontribs" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:MyContributions" title="A list of edits made from this IP address [y]" accesskey="y"><span>Contributions</span></a></li><li id="pt-anontalk" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:MyTalk" title="Discussion about edits from this IP address [n]" accesskey="n"><span>Talk</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> </div> <div class="mw-page-container"> <div class="mw-page-container-inner"> <div class="vector-sitenotice-container"> <div id="siteNotice"></div> </div> <div class="vector-column-start"> <div class="vector-main-menu-container"> <div id="mw-navigation"> <nav id="mw-panel" class="vector-main-menu-landmark" aria-label="Site"> <div id="vector-main-menu-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="vector-sticky-pinned-container"> <nav id="mw-panel-toc" aria-label="Contents" data-event-name="ui.sidebar-toc" class="mw-table-of-contents-container vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-toc-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> <div id="vector-toc" class="vector-toc vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-toc-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-pinned" data-feature-name="toc-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-toc" > <h2 class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Contents</h2> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-toc.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-toc.unpin">hide</button> </div> <ul class="vector-toc-contents" id="mw-panel-toc-list"> <li id="toc-mw-content-text" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a href="#" class="vector-toc-link"> <div class="vector-toc-text">(Top)</div> </a> </li> <li id="toc-History" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#History"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1</span> <span>History</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-History-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle History subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-History-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Norwegian_claim" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Norwegian_claim"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>Norwegian claim</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Norwegian_claim-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Protected_constituencies_status" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Protected_constituencies_status"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2</span> <span>Protected constituencies status</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Protected_constituencies_status-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Island_Council_resolutions" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Island_Council_resolutions"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3</span> <span>Island Council resolutions</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Island_Council_resolutions-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Lerwick_Declaration" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Lerwick_Declaration"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.4</span> <span>Lerwick Declaration</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Lerwick_Declaration-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Orkney's_Alternate_Governance_Resolution" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Orkney's_Alternate_Governance_Resolution"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.5</span> <span>Orkney's Alternate Governance Resolution</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Orkney's_Alternate_Governance_Resolution-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Referendums" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Referendums"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Referendums</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Referendums-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Referendums subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Referendums-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-1979_devolution_referendum" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1979_devolution_referendum"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>1979 devolution referendum</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1979_devolution_referendum-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-1997_devolution_referendum" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1997_devolution_referendum"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>1997 devolution referendum</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1997_devolution_referendum-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#2014_Scottish_independence_referendum"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3</span> <span>2014 Scottish independence referendum</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-2014_Scottish_independence_referendum-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Proposals_for_"counter-independence"_referendum" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Proposals_for_"counter-independence"_referendum"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3.1</span> <span>Proposals for "counter-independence" referendum</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Proposals_for_"counter-independence"_referendum-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Movements_for_autonomy" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Movements_for_autonomy"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Movements for autonomy</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Movements_for_autonomy-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Notes" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Notes"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Notes</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Notes-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-listBullet mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-listBullet"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Toggle the table of contents</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 1 language" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-1" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">1 language</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ca mw-list-item"><a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomia_de_les_illes_escoceses" title="Autonomia de les illes escoceses – Catalan" lang="ca" hreflang="ca" data-title="Autonomia de les illes escoceses" data-language-autonym="Català" data-language-local-name="Catalan" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Català</span></a></li> </ul> <div class="after-portlet after-portlet-lang"><span class="wb-langlinks-edit wb-langlinks-link"><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q15916866#sitelinks-wikipedia" title="Edit interlanguage links" class="wbc-editpage">Edit links</a></span></div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="vector-page-toolbar"> <div class="vector-page-toolbar-container"> <div id="left-navigation"> <nav aria-label="Namespaces"> <div id="p-associated-pages" class="vector-menu vector-menu-tabs mw-portlet mw-portlet-associated-pages" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="ca-nstab-main" class="selected vector-tab-noicon mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles" title="View the content page [c]" accesskey="c"><span>Article</span></a></li><li id="ca-talk" class="vector-tab-noicon mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Talk:Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles" rel="discussion" title="Discuss improvements to the content page [t]" accesskey="t"><span>Talk</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="vector-variants-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown emptyPortlet" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-variants-dropdown-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-variants-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Change language variant" > <label id="vector-variants-dropdown-label" for="vector-variants-dropdown-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">English</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="p-variants" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-variants emptyPortlet" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div id="right-navigation" class="vector-collapsible"> <nav aria-label="Views"> <div id="p-views" class="vector-menu vector-menu-tabs mw-portlet mw-portlet-views" > <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="ca-view" class="selected vector-tab-noicon mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"><span>Read</span></a></li><li id="ca-edit" class="vector-tab-noicon mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit" title="Edit this page [e]" accesskey="e"><span>Edit</span></a></li><li id="ca-history" class="vector-tab-noicon mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=history" title="Past revisions of this page [h]" accesskey="h"><span>View history</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> <nav class="vector-page-tools-landmark" aria-label="Page tools"> <div id="vector-page-tools-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-tools-dropdown" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-tools-dropdown-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-tools-dropdown" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Tools" > <label id="vector-page-tools-dropdown-label" for="vector-page-tools-dropdown-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Tools</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-tools-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> <div id="vector-page-tools" class="vector-page-tools vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-page-tools-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-unpinned" data-feature-name="page-tools-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-page-tools" data-pinned-container-id="vector-page-tools-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-page-tools-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Tools</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-page-tools.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-page-tools.unpin">hide</button> </div> <div id="p-cactions" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-cactions emptyPortlet vector-has-collapsible-items" title="More options" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> Actions </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="ca-more-view" class="selected vector-more-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"><span>Read</span></a></li><li id="ca-more-edit" class="vector-more-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit" title="Edit this page [e]" accesskey="e"><span>Edit</span></a></li><li id="ca-more-history" class="vector-more-collapsible-item mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=history"><span>View history</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-tb" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-tb" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> General </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="t-whatlinkshere" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles" title="List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]" accesskey="j"><span>What links here</span></a></li><li id="t-recentchangeslinked" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles" rel="nofollow" title="Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]" accesskey="k"><span>Related changes</span></a></li><li id="t-upload" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard" title="Upload files [u]" accesskey="u"><span>Upload file</span></a></li><li id="t-specialpages" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/wiki/Special:SpecialPages" title="A list of all special pages [q]" accesskey="q"><span>Special pages</span></a></li><li id="t-permalink" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&oldid=1259297986" title="Permanent link to this revision of this page"><span>Permanent link</span></a></li><li id="t-info" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=info" title="More information about this page"><span>Page information</span></a></li><li id="t-cite" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney%2C_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&id=1259297986&wpFormIdentifier=titleform" title="Information on how to cite this page"><span>Cite this page</span></a></li><li id="t-urlshortener" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FConstitutional_status_of_Orkney%2C_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"><span>Get shortened URL</span></a></li><li id="t-urlshortener-qrcode" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:QrCode&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FConstitutional_status_of_Orkney%2C_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles"><span>Download QR code</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-coll-print_export" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-coll-print_export" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> Print/export </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="coll-download-as-rl" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney%2C_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=show-download-screen" title="Download this page as a PDF file"><span>Download as PDF</span></a></li><li id="t-print" class="mw-list-item"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&printable=yes" title="Printable version of this page [p]" accesskey="p"><span>Printable version</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="p-wikibase-otherprojects" class="vector-menu mw-portlet mw-portlet-wikibase-otherprojects" > <div class="vector-menu-heading"> In other projects </div> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li id="t-wikibase" class="wb-otherproject-link wb-otherproject-wikibase-dataitem mw-list-item"><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q15916866" title="Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]" accesskey="g"><span>Wikidata item</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vector-column-end"> <div class="vector-sticky-pinned-container"> <nav class="vector-page-tools-landmark" aria-label="Page tools"> <div id="vector-page-tools-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> </div> </nav> <nav class="vector-appearance-landmark" aria-label="Appearance"> <div id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> <div id="vector-appearance" class="vector-appearance vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-appearance-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-pinned" data-feature-name="appearance-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-appearance" data-pinned-container-id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-appearance-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Appearance</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.unpin">hide</button> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container> <div class="vector-body-before-content"> <div class="mw-indicators"> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Status of the Scottish islands</div> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Scotland_map-en.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/220px-Scotland_map-en.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="316" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/330px-Scotland_map-en.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Scotland_map-en.jpg/440px-Scotland_map-en.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2400" data-file-height="3450" /></a><figcaption>Map of Scotland showing Orkney and Shetland (north-east of the mainland) and the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides (north-west of the mainland)</figcaption></figure> <p>The island groups of <a href="/wiki/Orkney" title="Orkney">Orkney</a>, <a href="/wiki/Shetland" title="Shetland">Shetland</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Western_Isles" class="mw-redirect" title="Western Isles">Western Isles</a> are all currently regions of <a href="/wiki/Scotland" title="Scotland">Scotland</a>. Their constitutional status has periodically been discussed, for example during the <a href="/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="2014 Scottish independence referendum">Scottish independence referendum</a> campaign. Currently, they are <a href="/wiki/Council_areas" class="mw-redirect" title="Council areas">council areas</a> with the same constitutional status as the other 29 <a href="/wiki/Local_government_of_Scotland" class="mw-redirect" title="Local government of Scotland">local government</a> areas. The three island councils are the only local authorities among the 32 in the country where <a href="/wiki/Independent_(politics)" class="mw-redirect" title="Independent (politics)">independent</a> councillors form a majority. </p><p>In July 2013, the <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Government" title="Scottish Government">Scottish Government</a> made the <a href="/wiki/Lerwick_Declaration" title="Lerwick Declaration">Lerwick Declaration</a>, establishing a ministerial <a href="/wiki/Working_group" title="Working group">working group</a> to examine <a href="/wiki/Decentralisation" class="mw-redirect" title="Decentralisation">decentralising</a> powers to the three island council areas.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Orkney and Shetland had from the 10th century been <a href="/wiki/Annexation" title="Annexation">annexed</a> by the <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Norway" class="mw-redirect" title="Kingdom of Norway">Kingdom of Norway</a>, but in 1468 and 1469 Orkney and Shetland were <a href="/wiki/Pledge_(law)" title="Pledge (law)">pledged</a> as security against the payment of the <a href="/wiki/Dowry" title="Dowry">dowry</a> of his daughter <a href="/wiki/Margaret_of_Denmark,_Queen_of_Scotland" title="Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland">Margaret</a>, betrothed to <a href="/wiki/James_III_of_Scotland" title="James III of Scotland">James III of Scotland</a>. After the <a href="/wiki/Acts_of_Union_of_1707" class="mw-redirect" title="Acts of Union of 1707">Acts of Union of 1707</a> Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, along with the rest of Scotland, became part of the <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Great_Britain" title="Kingdom of Great Britain">Kingdom of Great Britain</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Norwegian_claim">Norwegian claim</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Norwegian claim"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Orkney and Shetland had from the 10th century been <a href="/wiki/Annexation" title="Annexation">annexed</a> by the <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Norway_(872%E2%80%931397)" title="Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)">Kingdom of Norway</a>, who later entered a <a href="/wiki/Personal_union" title="Personal union">personal union</a> with a common Danish monarch under the <a href="/wiki/Kalmar_Union" title="Kalmar Union">Kalmar Union</a>. In 1468, Orkney was <a href="/wiki/Pledge_(law)" title="Pledge (law)">pledged</a> by the Scandinavian king <a href="/wiki/Christian_I_of_Denmark" title="Christian I of Denmark">Christian I</a> as security against the payment of the <a href="/wiki/Dowry" title="Dowry">dowry</a> of his daughter <a href="/wiki/Margaret_of_Denmark,_Queen_of_Scotland" title="Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland">Margaret</a>, betrothed to <a href="/wiki/James_III_of_Scotland" title="James III of Scotland">James III of Scotland</a>. The following year he pawned Shetland to the <a href="/wiki/Monarchy_of_Scotland" class="mw-redirect" title="Monarchy of Scotland">Scottish Crown</a> which has since refused to accept repayment and return it.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>Notes 1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The King of Denmark often had to make a <a href="/wiki/Coronation_oath" class="mw-redirect" title="Coronation oath">coronation oath</a> to reclaim the islands, which was last made by <a href="/wiki/Frederick_III_of_Denmark" title="Frederick III of Denmark">Frederick III</a> in 1648.<sup id="cite_ref-oath_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-oath-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The last serious attempt to reclaim the islands for <a href="/wiki/Denmark-Norway" class="mw-redirect" title="Denmark-Norway">Denmark-Norway</a> was at the <a href="/wiki/Treaty_of_Breda_(1667)" title="Treaty of Breda (1667)">Treaty of Breda</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-oath_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-oath-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Protected_constituencies_status">Protected constituencies status</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Protected constituencies status"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Under electoral law the <a href="/wiki/Orkney_and_Shetland_(UK_Parliament_constituency)" title="Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)">Orkney and Shetland</a> and <i><span title="Scottish Gaelic-language text"><i lang="gd"><a href="/wiki/Na_h-Eileanan_an_Iar_(UK_Parliament_constituency)" title="Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)">Na h-Eileanan an Iar</a></i></span></i> (The Western Isles) constituencies are "<a href="/wiki/Sixth_Periodic_Review_of_Westminster_constituencies#Protected_constituencies" class="mw-redirect" title="Sixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies">protected constituencies</a>", which means that they have to be both unbroken and not sharing a constituency with any part of the mainland.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This status is shared only with the <a href="/wiki/Isle_of_Wight_(UK_Parliament_constituency)" title="Isle of Wight (UK Parliament constituency)">Isle of Wight</a> in England and <a href="/wiki/Ynys_M%C3%B4n_(UK_Parliament_constituency)" title="Ynys Môn (UK Parliament constituency)">Ynys Môn</a> (Anglesey) in Wales. Before 2011 the Orkney and Shetland constituency had been unique in having its boundaries protected by legislation.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Island_Council_resolutions">Island Council resolutions</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Island Council resolutions"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In a meeting of the island councils in March 2013, leaders of the three local authorities discussed their future in the event of Scottish independence, including whether the islands could demand and achieve autonomous status within either Scotland or the rest of the UK. Among the scenarios proposed were achieving either <a href="/wiki/Crown_Dependency" class="mw-redirect" title="Crown Dependency">Crown Dependency</a> status or self-government modelled after the <a href="/wiki/Faroe_Islands" title="Faroe Islands">Faroe Islands</a>, in association with either Scotland or the UK.<sup id="cite_ref-guardianisles_8-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-guardianisles-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Steven Heddle, Orkney's council leader, described pursuing Crown Dependency status as the least likely option, as it would threaten funding from the EU, which is essential for local farmers.<sup id="cite_ref-guardianisles_8-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-guardianisles-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Alasdair_Allan" title="Alasdair Allan">Alasdair Allan</a>, MSP for the Western Isles, said independence could have a positive impact on the isles, as "crofters and farmers could expect a substantial uplift in agricultural and rural development funding via the <a href="/wiki/Common_Agricultural_Policy" title="Common Agricultural Policy">Common Agricultural Policy</a> if Scotland were an independent member state of the EU".<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Lerwick_Declaration">Lerwick Declaration</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Lerwick Declaration"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Lerwick_Declaration" title="Lerwick Declaration">Lerwick Declaration</a></div> <p>In July 2013, the <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Government" title="Scottish Government">Scottish Government</a> made the <a href="/wiki/Lerwick_Declaration" title="Lerwick Declaration">Lerwick Declaration</a>, indicating an intention to decentralise power to the three island council areas. In November 2013, the government made a commitment to decentralise further powers to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles in the event of independence.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Steven Heddle called for legislation to that effect to be introduced regardless of the referendum result.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2017 the <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Government" title="Scottish Government">Scottish Government</a> introduced an Islands <a href="/wiki/Bill_(law)" title="Bill (law)">bill</a> to make "island proofing" (including for uninhabited islands) a statutory requirement for public bodies. The Bill completed Stage 1 on 8 February 2018.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Orkney's_Alternate_Governance_Resolution"><span id="Orkney.27s_Alternate_Governance_Resolution"></span>Orkney's Alternate Governance Resolution</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Orkney's Alternate Governance Resolution"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In July 2023, James Stockan, the leader of the <a href="/wiki/Orkney_Islands_Council" title="Orkney Islands Council">Orkney Islands Council</a> said that the Orkney isles has been "failed dreadfully” by governments in Edinburgh and London, with funding less per capita than is received by Shetland and the Western Isles and that they were willing to explore its “Nordic connections”, as well as looking at the governance structures of crown dependencies such as <a href="/wiki/Guernsey" title="Guernsey">Guernsey</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jersey" title="Jersey">Jersey</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Isle_of_Man" title="Isle of Man">Isle of Man</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The council voted to explore alternative constitutional arrangements including becoming a <a href="/wiki/Crown_Dependency" class="mw-redirect" title="Crown Dependency">Crown Dependency</a> or rejoining Norway.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Referendums">Referendums</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Referendums"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="1979_devolution_referendum">1979 devolution referendum</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: 1979 devolution referendum"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the <a href="/wiki/1979_Scottish_devolution_referendum" title="1979 Scottish devolution referendum">1979 Scottish devolution referendum</a>, the Orkney and Shetland Islands council areas had the two highest proportions voting against devolution. The Western Isles voted in favour. </p> <table class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"> <tbody><tr> <th>Council area </th> <th>Yes vote </th> <th>No vote </th> <th>Yes % </th> <th>No % </th></tr> <tr style="background:pink;"> <td align="left"><a href="/wiki/Orkney_Islands" class="mw-redirect" title="Orkney Islands">Orkney Islands</a> </td> <td>2,104 </td> <td><b>5,439</b> </td> <td>27.89 </td> <td><b>72.11</b> </td></tr> <tr style="background:pink;"> <td align="left"><a href="/wiki/Shetland_Islands" class="mw-redirect" title="Shetland Islands">Shetland Islands</a> </td> <td>2,020 </td> <td><b>5,466</b> </td> <td>26.98 </td> <td><b>73.02</b> </td></tr> <tr style="background:lightgreen;"> <td align="left"><a href="/wiki/Western_Isles" class="mw-redirect" title="Western Isles">Western Isles</a> </td> <td><b>6,218</b> </td> <td>4,933 </td> <td><b>55.76</b> </td> <td>44.24 </td></tr> <tr style="background:lightgrey;"> <td align="left"><b>Whole of Scotland</b> </td> <td><b>1,230,937</b> </td> <td>1,153,500 </td> <td><b>51.62</b> </td> <td>48.38 </td></tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="5">Source: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19790303&printsec=frontpage&hl=en">Glasgow Herald</a> </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="1997_devolution_referendum">1997 devolution referendum</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: 1997 devolution referendum"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the <a href="/wiki/1997_Scottish_devolution_referendum" title="1997 Scottish devolution referendum">1997 Scottish devolution referendum</a> there were two questions, the first on whether there should be a <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Parliament" title="Scottish Parliament">Scottish Parliament</a>, and the second whether the parliament should have tax raising powers. </p><p>On the first question, along with the rest of the country, the electorate in all three areas voted Yes. On the second question Orkney was one of only two areas in Scotland to vote No, Shetland narrowly voted in favour and the Western Isles voted more strongly in favour than the rest of Scotland. </p> <table class="wikitable sortable" border="1"> <tbody><tr> <th>Council area </th> <th>Q1 Yes vote </th> <th>Q1 No vote </th> <th>Q1 Yes % </th> <th>Q1 No % </th> <th>Q2 Yes vote </th> <th>Q2 No vote </th> <th>Q2 Yes % </th> <th>Q2 No % </th></tr> <tr style="background:lightgreen;"> <td><a href="/wiki/Outer_Hebrides" title="Outer Hebrides"><span title="Scottish Gaelic-language text"><i lang="gd">Na h-Eileanan Siar</i></span> (Western Isles)</a> </td> <td><b>9,977</b> </td> <td>2,589 </td> <td><b>79.4</b> </td> <td>20.6 </td> <td><b>8,557</b> </td> <td>3,947 </td> <td><b>68.4</b> </td> <td>31.6 </td></tr> <tr style="background:pink;"> <td style="background:lightgrey;"><a href="/wiki/Orkney" title="Orkney">Orkney</a><sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td style="background:lightgreen;"><b>4,749</b> </td> <td style="background:lightgreen;">3,541 </td> <td style="background:lightgreen;"><b>57.3</b> </td> <td style="background:lightgreen;">42.7 </td> <td>3,917 </td> <td><b>4,344</b> </td> <td>47.4 </td> <td><b>52.6</b> </td></tr> <tr style="background:lightgreen;"> <td><a href="/wiki/Shetland" title="Shetland">Shetland</a> </td> <td><b>5,430</b> </td> <td>3,275 </td> <td><b>62.4</b> </td> <td>37.6 </td> <td><b>4,478</b> </td> <td>4,198 </td> <td><b>51.6</b> </td> <td>48.4 </td></tr> <tr style="background:lightgrey;"> <td><b>Whole of Scotland</b> </td> <td><b>1,775,045</b> </td> <td>614,400 </td> <td><b>74.3</b> </td> <td>25.7 </td> <td><b>1,512,889</b> </td> <td>870,253 </td> <td><b>63.5</b> </td> <td>36.5 </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="2014_Scottish_independence_referendum">2014 Scottish independence referendum</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: 2014 Scottish independence referendum"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the <a href="/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="2014 Scottish independence referendum">2014 Scottish independence referendum</a>, people voted on whether they wanted Scotland to become independent from the United Kingdom. Scotland as a whole voted 55.3% against independence. All three islands also voted against, with the Western Isles voting slightly less against independence, and Orkney and Shetland both voting significantly more against independence than the national average. </p> <table class="wikitable" style="text-align: right"> <tbody><tr> <th>Area <sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </th> <th>Ballots for </th> <th>Ballots against </th> <th>For (%) </th> <th>Against (%) </th> <th>Majority </th> <th>Valid ballots </th> <th>Turnout (%) </th></tr> <tr> <td scope="row" style="text-align:left"><span title="Scottish Gaelic-language text"><i lang="gd"><a href="/wiki/Comhairle_nan_Eilean_Siar" title="Comhairle nan Eilean Siar">Eilean Siar</a></i></span> </td> <td>9,195 </td> <td><b>10,544</b> </td> <td>46.6% </td> <td style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:;" class="table-no"><b>53.4%</b> </td> <td>6.8% </td> <td>19,739 </td> <td>86.2% </td></tr> <tr> <td scope="row" style="text-align:left"><a href="/wiki/Orkney" title="Orkney">Orkney Islands</a> </td> <td>4,883 </td> <td><b>10,004</b> </td> <td>32.8% </td> <td style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:;" class="table-no"><b>67.2%</b> </td> <td>34.4% </td> <td>14,887 </td> <td>83.7% </td></tr> <tr> <td scope="row" style="text-align:left"><a href="/wiki/Shetland" title="Shetland">Shetland Islands</a> </td> <td>5,669 </td> <td><b>9,951</b> </td> <td>36.3% </td> <td style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:;" class="table-no"><b>63.7%</b> </td> <td>27.4% </td> <td>15,620 </td> <td>84.4% </td></tr> <tr> <td scope="row" style="text-align:left">Scotland (total) </td> <td>1,617,989 </td> <td><b>2,001,926</b> </td> <td>44.6% </td> <td style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:;" class="table-no"><b>55.4%</b> </td> <td>10.6% </td> <td>3,619,915 </td> <td>84.6% </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Proposals_for_"counter-independence"_referendum"><span id="Proposals_for_.22counter-independence.22_referendum"></span>Proposals for "counter-independence" referendum</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Proposals for "counter-independence" referendum"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Some islanders called for separate referendums to be held in the islands on 25 September 2014, one week after the <a href="/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="2014 Scottish independence referendum">Scottish referendum</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In March 2014, the <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Parliament" title="Scottish Parliament">Scottish Parliament</a> published the online petition it had received calling for such referendums, which was supported by Shetland <a href="/wiki/Member_of_the_Scottish_Parliament" title="Member of the Scottish Parliament">MSP</a> <a href="/wiki/Tavish_Scott" title="Tavish Scott">Tavish Scott</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-petition_21-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-petition-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The referendums would ask islanders to choose from three options: that the island group should become an independent country; it should remain in Scotland; or (in the event of Scottish independence) it should remain in the UK.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The third option would implement the conditional promise made in 2012, when an SNP spokesperson said that, in the event of Scottish independence, Orkney and Shetland could remain in the United Kingdom if their "drive for <a href="/wiki/Self-determination" title="Self-determination">self-determination</a>" was strong enough.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Politicians in the three island groups have referred to the Scottish referendum as the most important event in their political history "since the inception of the island councils in 1975." Angus Campbell, leader of the Western Isles Council, said that the ongoing constitutional debate "offers the opportunity for the three island councils to secure increased powers for our communities to take decisions which will benefit the economies and the lives of those who live in the islands".<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>A report by Tavish Scott and the Orkney MSP <a href="/wiki/Liam_McArthur" title="Liam McArthur">Liam McArthur</a>, submitted in response to the UK government's consultation on the independence referendum put forward the idea that the Shetland and Orkney islands could remain a part of the United Kingdom in the event of Scottish independence or potentially pursue independence themselves.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Early in 2013, an opinion poll commissioned by the <i><a href="/wiki/The_Press_and_Journal_(Scotland)" class="mw-redirect" title="The Press and Journal (Scotland)">Press and Journal</a></i> found only 8% of people in Shetland and Orkney supported the islands themselves becoming fully independent countries and completely separating from Scotland, with 82% against.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The day before the <a href="/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="2014 Scottish independence referendum">Scottish independence referendum</a> in September 2014, <a href="/wiki/Alistair_Carmichael" title="Alistair Carmichael">Alistair Carmichael</a>, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, suggested that if Shetland were to vote strongly against independence but the Scottish national vote was narrowly in favour, then a discussion would have to begin about Shetland becoming a self-governing <a href="/wiki/Crown_dependency" class="mw-redirect" title="Crown dependency">Crown dependency</a> outside of independent Scotland, similar to the <a href="/wiki/Isle_of_Man" title="Isle of Man">Isle of Man</a>. He stated that he did not want such circumstances to arise, "and the best way to avoid this was to vote no in the referendum." <sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Movements_for_autonomy">Movements for autonomy</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Movements for autonomy"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main articles: <a href="/wiki/Orkney_and_Shetland_Movement" title="Orkney and Shetland Movement">Orkney and Shetland Movement</a> and <a href="/wiki/Wir_Shetland" title="Wir Shetland">Wir Shetland</a></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Orkney_and_Shetland_Movement" title="Orkney and Shetland Movement">Orkney and Shetland Movement</a>, a coalition of independence movements in Orkney and Shetland, contested the <a href="/wiki/Orkney_and_Shetland_constituency" class="mw-redirect" title="Orkney and Shetland constituency">Orkney and Shetland constituency</a> in the <a href="/wiki/1987_United_Kingdom_general_election" title="1987 United Kingdom general election">1987 general election</a>. It saw as its models the <a href="/wiki/Isle_of_Man" title="Isle of Man">Isle of Man</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Faroe_Islands" title="Faroe Islands">Faroe Islands</a>, an autonomous dependency of <a href="/wiki/Denmark" title="Denmark">Denmark</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The <a href="/wiki/Scottish_National_Party" title="Scottish National Party">Scottish National Party</a> chose not to contest the seat to give the movement a "free run". Their candidate, John Goodlad, came 4th with 3,095 votes, 14.5% of those cast, and it did not stand in any subsequent election.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Movement took part in the 1989 <a href="/wiki/Scottish_Constitutional_Convention" title="Scottish Constitutional Convention">Scottish Constitutional Convention</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>A movement called <a href="/wiki/Wir_Shetland" title="Wir Shetland">Wir Shetland</a> was launched in October 2015<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> to secede from the rest of Scotland in favour of becoming either a <a href="/wiki/Crown_Dependency" class="mw-redirect" title="Crown Dependency">Crown Dependency</a> or a <a href="/wiki/British_Overseas_Territory" class="mw-redirect" title="British Overseas Territory">British Overseas Territory</a>, as a means of achieving greater autonomy for the Shetland Isles.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In September 2020 the Shetland Islands Council voted in favour of exploring options for "financial and political self-determination", stating that the islands' reliance on Scotland was "seriously threatening the prosperity, and even basic sustainability, of Shetland as a community."<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Cornwall" title="Constitutional status of Cornwall">Constitutional status of Cornwall</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Devolution_in_the_United_Kingdom" title="Devolution in the United Kingdom">Devolution in the United Kingdom</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Apparently without the knowledge of the Norwegian <a href="/wiki/Rigsraadet" class="mw-redirect" title="Rigsraadet">Riksrådet</a> (Council of the Realm), Christian pawned Orkney for 50,000 <a href="/wiki/Rhenish_guilder" class="mw-redirect" title="Rhenish guilder">Rhenish guilders</a>. On 28 May the next year he also pawned Shetland for 8,000 Rhenish guilders.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He secured a clause in the contract that gave future kings of Norway the right to redeem the islands for a fixed sum of about 210 kg of gold or 2,310 kg of silver. Several attempts were made during the 17th and 18th centuries to redeem the islands, without success.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-23438879">"Scottish ministers to look into extra powers for isles"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/BBC_News" title="BBC News">BBC News</a></i>. 25 July 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 January</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Scottish+ministers+to+look+into+extra+powers+for+isles&rft.date=2013-07-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-scotland-highlands-islands-23438879&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ub.uib.no/avdeling/spes/diplom/1509.htm">"Diplom fra Shetland datert 24.november 1509"</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110505033602/http://www.ub.uib.no/avdeling/spes/diplom/1509.htm">Archived</a> 2011-05-05 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> University Library, University in Bergen. (Norwegian). Retrieved 13 September 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://universitas.uio.no/Arkiv/1996/16okt96/norsk.htm">"Norsken som døde"</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724185409/http://universitas.uio.no/Arkiv/1996/16okt96/norsk.htm">Archived</a> 24 July 2011 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> Universitas, Norsken som døde (Norwegian) Retrieved 13 September 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-oath-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-oath_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-oath_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMarshall2024" class="citation book cs1"><i>Storm's Edge: Life, Death and Magic in the Islands of Orkney</i>. London: William Collins. 2024. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-00-839439-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-00-839439-4"><bdi>978-0-00-839439-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Storm%27s+Edge%3A+Life%2C+Death+and+Magic+in+the+Islands+of+Orkney&rft.place=London&rft.pub=William+Collins&rft.date=2024&rft.isbn=978-0-00-839439-4&rft.aulast=Marshall&rft.aufirst=Peter&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Protected constituencies, s 11, <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/1/section/11/enacted">schedule 2</a>, <a href="/wiki/Parliamentary_Voting_System_and_Constituencies_Act_2011" title="Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011">Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Rule 3A of the <a href="/wiki/Boundary_Commission_for_Scotland" class="mw-redirect" title="Boundary Commission for Scotland">Boundary Commission</a> rules stated, "A constituency which includes the Orkney Islands or the Shetland Islands shall not include the whole or any part of a local government area other than the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands." <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.boundarycommission.org.uk/rules.asp">Boundary Commission Rules</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041159/http://www.boundarycommission.org.uk/rules.asp">Archived</a> 2014-09-24 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. This rule was added in the <a href="/wiki/Parliamentary_Constituencies_Act_1986" title="Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986">Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986</a> and retained in the <a href="/wiki/Scotland_Act_1998" title="Scotland Act 1998">Scotland Act 1998</a> (section 86 (3)), which established the Scottish Parliament.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-guardianisles-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-guardianisles_8-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-guardianisles_8-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/17/scottish-independence-islands-home-rule">"Scottish independence: islands consider their own 'home rule'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. 17 March 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 September</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Scottish+independence%3A+islands+consider+their+own+%27home+rule%27&rft.date=2013-03-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fpolitics%2F2013%2Fmar%2F17%2Fscottish-independence-islands-home-rule&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234152/http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/what-independence-white-paper-could-mean-for-the-isles-1-3210531">"What independence White Paper could mean for the Isles"</a>. <i>Stornoway Gazette</i>. 27 November 2013. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/what-independence-white-paper-could-mean-for-the-isles-1-3210531">the original</a> on 2 December 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">27 November</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Stornoway+Gazette&rft.atitle=What+independence+White+Paper+could+mean+for+the+Isles&rft.date=2013-11-27&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stornowaygazette.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal-headlines%2Fwhat-independence-white-paper-could-mean-for-the-isles-1-3210531&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRoss2013" class="citation news cs1">Ross, David (23 November 2013). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/islands-set-to-win-key-decision-making-powers-with-unprecedented-legislatio.22769214">"Islands set to win key decision-making powers with unprecedented legislation"</a>. <i>The Herald (Glasgow)</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">27 November</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Herald+%28Glasgow%29&rft.atitle=Islands+set+to+win+key+decision-making+powers+with+unprecedented+legislation&rft.date=2013-11-23&rft.aulast=Ross&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldscotland.com%2Fpolitics%2Freferendum-news%2Fislands-set-to-win-key-decision-making-powers-with-unprecedented-legislatio.22769214&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7640-islands-act-should-not-depend-on-independence">"Islands Act should not depend on independence"</a>. <i>Shetland News</i>. 21 November 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">27 November</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Shetland+News&rft.atitle=Islands+Act+should+not+depend+on+independence&rft.date=2013-11-21&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shetnews.co.uk%2Fnews%2F7640-islands-act-should-not-depend-on-independence&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/105168.aspx">"Islands (Scotland) Bill"</a> Scottish Government. Retrieved 24 February 2018.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAmbrose2023" class="citation news cs1">Ambrose, Tom (2 July 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/02/orkney-could-leave-uk-for-norway-as-it-explores-alternative-governance">"Orkney could leave UK for Norway as it explores 'alternative governance'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077">0261-3077</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 July</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Orkney+could+leave+UK+for+Norway+as+it+explores+%27alternative+governance%27&rft.date=2023-07-02&rft.issn=0261-3077&rft.aulast=Ambrose&rft.aufirst=Tom&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fuk-news%2F2023%2Fjul%2F02%2Forkney-could-leave-uk-for-norway-as-it-explores-alternative-governance&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-66066448">"Orkney council to look at proposals to become territory of Norway"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 2 July 2023<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 July</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Orkney+council+to+look+at+proposals+to+become+territory+of+Norway&rft.date=2023-07-02&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fuk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-66066448&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-66090102">"Orkney votes to explore 'alternative governance'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. 3 July 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Orkney+votes+to+explore+%27alternative+governance%27&rft.date=2023-07-03&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-66090102&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/live/orkney.shtml">Result – Orkney Islands</a>, <a href="/wiki/BBC" title="BBC">BBC</a>, 1997</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results">"Scottish independence referendum - Results"</a>. BBC. 18 September 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 September</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Scottish+independence+referendum+-+Results&rft.pub=BBC&rft.date=2014-09-18&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fevents%2Fscotland-decides%2Fresults&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRiley-Smith2014" class="citation news cs1">Riley-Smith, Ben (18 March 2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/10705477/Shetland-and-Orkney-should-get-vote-on-whether-to-leave-Scotland.html">"Shetland and Orkney should get vote on whether to leave Scotland"</a>. <i>Daily Telegraph</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 March</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Daily+Telegraph&rft.atitle=Shetland+and+Orkney+should+get+vote+on+whether+to+leave+Scotland&rft.date=2014-03-18&rft.aulast=Riley-Smith&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuknews%2Fscottish-independence%2F10705477%2FShetland-and-Orkney-should-get-vote-on-whether-to-leave-Scotland.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLawless2014" class="citation news cs1">Lawless, Jill (23 March 2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://apnews.com/df9487dfda21429c8fe71bdbf5cdcf87">"Scotland's Vikings go own way in independence vote"</a>. <i>Associated Press News</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 May</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Associated+Press+News&rft.atitle=Scotland%27s+Vikings+go+own+way+in+independence+vote&rft.date=2014-03-23&rft.aulast=Lawless&rft.aufirst=Jill&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Fdf9487dfda21429c8fe71bdbf5cdcf87&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143906/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scotland-independence-islands-idUKBREA2N1FV20140324">"Scottish islanders seek votes for own independence"</a>. <i>Reuters</i>. 24 March 2014. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-scotland-independence-islands-idUKBREA2N1FV20140324">the original</a> on 5 March 2016<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 March</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Reuters&rft.atitle=Scottish+islanders+seek+votes+for+own+independence&rft.date=2014-03-24&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.reuters.com%2Farticle%2Fuk-scotland-independence-islands-idUKBREA2N1FV20140324&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-petition-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-petition_21-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/scottish-independence-debate/8175-island-referendum-petition-launched">"Island referendum petition launched"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Shetland_Times" class="mw-redirect" title="Shetland Times">Shetland Times</a></i>. 18 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 March</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Shetland+Times&rft.atitle=Island+referendum+petition+launched&rft.date=2014-03-18&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shetnews.co.uk%2Ffeatures%2Fscottish-independence-debate%2F8175-island-referendum-petition-launched&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/petition-for-independence-in-the-western-isles-shetland-and-orkney.23732164">"Petition for independence in the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney"</a>. <i>The Herald</i>. Herald & Times Group. 19 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 March</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Herald&rft.atitle=Petition+for+independence+in+the+Western+Isles%2C+Shetland+and+Orkney&rft.date=2014-03-19&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldscotland.com%2Fpolitics%2Freferendum-news%2Fpetition-for-independence-in-the-western-isles-shetland-and-orkney.23732164&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJohnson2012" class="citation news cs1">Johnson, Simon (20 March 2012). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9156220/SNP-admits-Shetland-and-Orkney-could-opt-out-of-independent-Scotland.html">"SNP admits Shetland and Orkney could opt out of independent Scotland"</a>. <i>Daily Telegraph</i>. Telegraph Media Group<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 September</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Daily+Telegraph&rft.atitle=SNP+admits+Shetland+and+Orkney+could+opt+out+of+independent+Scotland&rft.date=2012-03-20&rft.aulast=Johnson&rft.aufirst=Simon&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F9156220%2FSNP-admits-Shetland-and-Orkney-could-opt-out-of-independent-Scotland.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22934024">"Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils lobby for more powers"</a>. <i>BBC News</i>. BBC. 17 June 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 September</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News&rft.atitle=Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+Western+Isles+councils+lobby+for+more+powers&rft.date=2013-06-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-scotland-scotland-politics-22934024&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9151646/Scotlands-oil-rich-Northern-Isles-tell-Alex-Salmond-We-might-stay-with-UK.html">Scotland's oil-rich Northern Isles tell Alex Salmond: We might stay with UK</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131006145848/http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/7203-northern-isles-are-scottish-say-islanders">"Northern Isles are Scottish, say islanders"</a>. <i>www.newsnetscotland.com</i>. 17 April 2013. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/7203-northern-isles-are-scottish-say-islanders">the original</a> on 6 October 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 September</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.newsnetscotland.com&rft.atitle=Northern+Isles+are+Scottish%2C+say+islanders&rft.date=2013-04-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsnetscotland.com%2Findex.php%2Fscottish-politics%2F7203-northern-isles-are-scottish-say-islanders&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/shetland-may-reconsider-place-scotland-yes-vote-alistair-carmichael">"Shetland may reconsider its place in Scotland after yes vote, says Carmichael"</a>. <i>The Guardian</i>. 17 September 2014.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Guardian&rft.atitle=Shetland+may+reconsider+its+place+in+Scotland+after+yes+vote%2C+says+Carmichael&rft.date=2014-09-17&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fpolitics%2F2014%2Fsep%2F17%2Fshetland-may-reconsider-place-scotland-yes-vote-alistair-carmichael&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-28">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/09/17/carmichael-sets-record-straight-on-independence-comments">"Carmichael sets record straight on independence comments"</a>. 17 September 2014.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Carmichael+sets+record+straight+on+independence+comments&rft.date=2014-09-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shetlandtimes.co.uk%2F2014%2F09%2F17%2Fcarmichael-sets-record-straight-on-independence-comments&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTallack2007" class="citation news cs1">Tallack, Malachy (2 April 2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/malachy-tallack/2007/04/shetland-scotland-independence">"Independence thinking..."</a> <i><a href="/wiki/New_Statesman" title="New Statesman">New Statesman</a></i>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=New+Statesman&rft.atitle=Independence+thinking...&rft.date=2007-04-02&rft.aulast=Tallack&rft.aufirst=Malachy&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newstatesman.com%2Fblogs%2Fmalachy-tallack%2F2007%2F04%2Fshetland-scotland-independence&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120118141216/http://www.alba.org.uk/scot99constit/h05.html">"Candidates and Constituency Assessments: Orkney (Highland Region"</a>. <i>www.alba.org.uk</i>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.alba.org.uk/scot99constit/h05.html">the original</a> on 18 January 2012.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.alba.org.uk&rft.atitle=Candidates+and+Constituency+Assessments%3A+Orkney+%28Highland+Region&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alba.org.uk%2Fscot99constit%2Fh05.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPilkington2002" class="citation book cs1">Pilkington, Colin (2002). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=x7TqLhr51v0C&pg=PA68"><i>Devolution in Britain today</i></a>. Manchester University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7190-6076-1" title="Special:BookSources/0-7190-6076-1"><bdi>0-7190-6076-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Devolution+in+Britain+today&rft.pub=Manchester+University+Press&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=0-7190-6076-1&rft.aulast=Pilkington&rft.aufirst=Colin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3Dx7TqLhr51v0C%26pg%3DPA68&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170222105740/https://wirshetland.org/wp/index.php/draft-constitution/">"Draft Constitution"</a>. <i>Wir Shetland</i>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://wirshetland.org/wp/index.php/draft-constitution">the original</a> on 22 February 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Wir+Shetland&rft.atitle=Draft+Constitution&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwirshetland.org%2Fwp%2Findex.php%2Fdraft-constitution&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/shetland-islands-toy-with-idea-of-post-brexit-independence">"Shetland Islands toy with idea of post-Brexit independence"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/EURACTIV" class="mw-redirect" title="EURACTIV">EURACTIV</a></i>. 16 February 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 September</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=EURACTIV&rft.atitle=Shetland+Islands+toy+with+idea+of+post-Brexit+independence&rft.date=2017-02-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euractiv.com%2Fsection%2Fuk-europe%2Fnews%2Fshetland-islands-toy-with-idea-of-post-brexit-independence&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWaldie2020" class="citation news cs1">Waldie, Paul (18 September 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-council-vote-gives-boost-to-shetland-islands-push-for-independence">"Council vote gives boost to Shetland Islands' push for independence from Scotland"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Globe_and_Mail" title="The Globe and Mail">The Globe and Mail</a></i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 September</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Globe+and+Mail&rft.atitle=Council+vote+gives+boost+to+Shetland+Islands%27+push+for+independence+from+Scotland&rft.date=2020-09-18&rft.aulast=Waldie&rft.aufirst=Paul&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com%2Fworld%2Farticle-council-vote-gives-boost-to-shetland-islands-push-for-independence&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AConstitutional+status+of+Orkney%2C+Shetland+and+the+Western+Isles" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dt::after{content:": "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li::after{content:" · ";font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li:last-child::after{content:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:first-child::before{content:" (";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:last-child::after{content:")";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol{counter-reset:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li{counter-increment:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li::before{content:" "counter(listitem)"\a0 "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li ol>li:first-child::before{content:" ("counter(listitem)"\a0 "}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox-styles+.navbox{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output .navbox-inner,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{width:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-title,.mw-parser-output .navbox-abovebelow{padding:0.25em 1em;line-height:1.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group{white-space:nowrap;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{background-color:#fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-list{line-height:1.5em;border-color:#fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-list-with-group{text-align:left;border-left-width:2px;border-left-style:solid}.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-group,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-image,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-list{border-top:2px solid #fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-title{background-color:#ccf}.mw-parser-output .navbox-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-title{background-color:#ddf}.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-abovebelow{background-color:#e6e6ff}.mw-parser-output .navbox-even{background-color:#f7f7f7}.mw-parser-output .navbox-odd{background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td dl,.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td ol,.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td ul,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist ul{padding:0.125em 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbar{display:block;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-title .navbar{float:left;text-align:left;margin-right:0.5em}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .navbox-image img{max-width:none!important}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .navbox{display:none!important}}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible mw-collapsed navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="Template:2014 Scottish independence referendum"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="Template talk:2014 Scottish independence referendum"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="Special:EditPage/Template:2014 Scottish independence referendum"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="2014 Scottish independence referendum">2014 Scottish independence referendum</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Referendum question</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">"Should Scotland be an independent country?"</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Key events</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Choosing_Scotland%27s_Future" title="Choosing Scotland's Future">Choosing Scotland's Future</a></i></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_Conversation" title="National Conversation">National Conversation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2011_Scottish_Parliament_election" title="2011 Scottish Parliament election">Election of SNP majority government</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Edinburgh_Agreement_(2012)" title="Edinburgh Agreement (2012)">Edinburgh Agreement</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/March_and_Rally_for_Scottish_Independence" title="March and Rally for Scottish Independence">March and Rally for Scottish Independence</a></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Scotland%27s_Future" title="Scotland's Future">Scotland's Future</a></i></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Smith_Commission" title="Smith Commission">Smith Commission</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2014_Commonwealth_Games" title="2014 Commonwealth Games">2014 Commonwealth Games</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Parties</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">For a "Yes" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_National_Party" title="Scottish National Party">Scottish National Party</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Greens" title="Scottish Greens">Scottish Greens</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Socialist_Party" title="Scottish Socialist Party">Scottish Socialist Party</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">For a "No" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Labour" title="Scottish Labour">Scottish Labour</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Conservatives" title="Scottish Conservatives">Scottish Conservatives</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Liberal_Democrats" title="Scottish Liberal Democrats">Scottish Liberal Democrats</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/UK_Independence_Party" title="UK Independence Party">UK Independence Party</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Campaign<br />organisations</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">Advocating a "Yes" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Yes_Scotland" title="Yes Scotland">Yes Scotland</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">Advocating a "No" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Better_Together_(campaign)" title="Better Together (campaign)">Better Together</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Other<br />campaign groups</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">For a "Yes" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Business_for_Scotland" title="Business for Scotland">Business for Scotland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Generation_Yes_(Scotland)" title="Generation Yes (Scotland)">Generation Yes</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Labour_for_Independence" title="Labour for Independence">Labour for Independence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_Collective" title="National Collective">National Collective</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Women_for_Independence" title="Women for Independence">Women for Independence</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Radical_Independence_Campaign" title="Radical Independence Campaign">Radical Independence Campaign</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:15em">For a "No" vote</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/United_with_Labour" title="United with Labour">United with Labour</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Legislation</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Independence_Referendum_Act_2013" title="Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013">Referendum Act</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Scottish_Independence_Referendum_(Franchise)_Act_2013" title="Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013">Referendum (Franchise) Act</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Televised debates</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Salmond_%26_Darling:_The_Debate" title="Salmond & Darling: The Debate">Salmond & Darling: The Debate</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Scotland_Decides:_Salmond_versus_Darling" title="Scotland Decides: Salmond versus Darling">Scotland Decides: Salmond versus Darling</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Scotland_Decides:_The_Big,_Big_Debate" title="Scotland Decides: The Big, Big Debate">Scotland Decides: The Big, Big Debate</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Adverts</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/The_woman_who_made_up_her_mind" title="The woman who made up her mind">The woman who made up her mind</a>"</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Result</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Results_of_the_Scottish_independence_referendum,_2014" class="mw-redirect" title="Results of the Scottish independence referendum, 2014">Results</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_endorsements_in_the_2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="List of endorsements in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum">Endorsements</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="Opinion polling for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum">Opinion polling</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles_and_Scottish_Independence" class="mw-redirect" title="Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and Scottish Independence">Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles</a></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Case_for_an_Independent_Socialist_Scotland" title="The Case for an Independent Socialist Scotland">The Case for an Independent Socialist Scotland</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><b><a href="/wiki/Portal:Politics" title="Portal:Politics">Politics Portal</a></b></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&oldid=1259297986">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&oldid=1259297986</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:2014_Scottish_independence_referendum" title="Category:2014 Scottish independence referendum">2014 Scottish independence referendum</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Regionalism_(politics)_in_the_United_Kingdom" title="Category:Regionalism (politics) in the United Kingdom">Regionalism (politics) in the United Kingdom</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Constitution_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Category:Constitution of the United Kingdom">Constitution of the United Kingdom</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Politics_of_Shetland" title="Category:Politics of Shetland">Politics of Shetland</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Politics_of_Orkney" title="Category:Politics of Orkney">Politics of Orkney</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Politics_of_the_Outer_Hebrides" title="Category:Politics of the Outer Hebrides">Politics of the Outer Hebrides</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Islands_of_Scotland" title="Category:Islands of Scotland">Islands of Scotland</a></li></ul></div><div id="mw-hidden-catlinks" class="mw-hidden-catlinks mw-hidden-cats-hidden">Hidden categories: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Webarchive_template_wayback_links" title="Category:Webarchive template wayback links">Webarchive template wayback links</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description" title="Category:Articles with short description">Articles with short description</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Short_description_is_different_from_Wikidata" title="Category:Short description is different from Wikidata">Short description is different from Wikidata</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Use_dmy_dates_from_April_2022" title="Category:Use dmy dates from April 2022">Use dmy dates from April 2022</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Articles_containing_Scottish_Gaelic-language_text" title="Category:Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text">Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="mw-footer-container"> <footer id="footer" class="mw-footer" > <ul id="footer-info"> <li id="footer-info-lastmod"> This page was last edited on 24 November 2024, at 11:38<span class="anonymous-show"> (UTC)</span>.</li> <li id="footer-info-copyright">Text is available under the <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License" title="Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License</a>; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the <a href="https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Terms_of_Use" class="extiw" title="foundation:Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Terms of Use">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Privacy_policy" class="extiw" title="foundation:Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Privacy policy">Privacy Policy</a>. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://wikimediafoundation.org/">Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.</a>, a non-profit organization.</li> </ul> <ul id="footer-places"> <li id="footer-places-privacy"><a href="https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Privacy_policy">Privacy policy</a></li> <li id="footer-places-about"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:About">About Wikipedia</a></li> <li id="footer-places-disclaimers"><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer">Disclaimers</a></li> <li id="footer-places-contact"><a href="//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us">Contact Wikipedia</a></li> <li id="footer-places-wm-codeofconduct"><a href="https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct">Code of Conduct</a></li> <li id="footer-places-developers"><a href="https://developer.wikimedia.org">Developers</a></li> <li id="footer-places-statslink"><a href="https://stats.wikimedia.org/#/en.wikipedia.org">Statistics</a></li> <li id="footer-places-cookiestatement"><a href="https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Cookie_statement">Cookie statement</a></li> <li id="footer-places-mobileview"><a href="//en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles&mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile" class="noprint stopMobileRedirectToggle">Mobile view</a></li> </ul> <ul id="footer-icons" class="noprint"> <li id="footer-copyrightico"><a href="https://wikimediafoundation.org/" class="cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--size-large cdx-button--fake-button--enabled"><img src="/static/images/footer/wikimedia-button.svg" width="84" height="29" alt="Wikimedia Foundation" loading="lazy"></a></li> <li id="footer-poweredbyico"><a href="https://www.mediawiki.org/" class="cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--size-large cdx-button--fake-button--enabled"><img src="/w/resources/assets/poweredby_mediawiki.svg" alt="Powered by MediaWiki" width="88" height="31" loading="lazy"></a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vector-settings" id="p-dock-bottom"> <ul></ul> </div><script>(RLQ=window.RLQ||[]).push(function(){mw.config.set({"wgHostname":"mw-web.codfw.main-f69cdc8f6-ddwrv","wgBackendResponseTime":161,"wgPageParseReport":{"limitreport":{"cputime":"0.610","walltime":"0.776","ppvisitednodes":{"value":1944,"limit":1000000},"postexpandincludesize":{"value":73975,"limit":2097152},"templateargumentsize":{"value":945,"limit":2097152},"expansiondepth":{"value":12,"limit":100},"expensivefunctioncount":{"value":5,"limit":500},"unstrip-depth":{"value":1,"limit":20},"unstrip-size":{"value":106528,"limit":5000000},"entityaccesscount":{"value":0,"limit":400},"timingprofile":["100.00% 639.730 1 -total"," 40.35% 258.134 2 Template:Reflist"," 21.77% 139.288 12 Template:Cite_news"," 20.80% 133.045 3 Template:Lang"," 16.42% 105.068 4 Template:Navbox"," 16.17% 103.426 1 Template:2014_Scottish_independence_referendum"," 11.39% 72.875 1 Template:Short_description"," 9.06% 57.991 12 Template:Cite_web"," 7.13% 45.600 2 Template:Pagetype"," 4.23% 27.087 2 Template:Main"]},"scribunto":{"limitreport-timeusage":{"value":"0.413","limit":"10.000"},"limitreport-memusage":{"value":24703170,"limit":52428800}},"cachereport":{"origin":"mw-api-int.codfw.main-849f99967d-dzvc4","timestamp":"20241124113840","ttl":2592000,"transientcontent":false}}});});</script> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","name":"Constitutional status of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles","url":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Constitutional_status_of_Orkney,_Shetland_and_the_Western_Isles","sameAs":"http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q15916866","mainEntity":"http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q15916866","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Contributors to Wikimedia projects"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.wikimedia.org\/static\/images\/wmf-hor-googpub.png"}},"datePublished":"2014-09-14T16:42:07Z","dateModified":"2024-11-24T11:38:34Z","image":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/0\/0c\/Scotland_map-en.jpg","headline":"Status of islands"}</script> </body> </html>