The Shetland question

[tractor]

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Has anyone looked at what the political landscape would be if Scotland were independent today?

It would be funny if rUK and Scotland both had Labour majorities.

[DodgyAgent]

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UCL DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

British isles where Viking blood still flows - Telegraph

The majority of the islanders are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the United Kingdom just that – united. Many regard themselves as Shetlanders or Orcadians first, and then British. They emphatically do not see themselves as Scots.
However, if Scotland does become independent, then the islanders will be left attached to a country to which many do not wish to belong. If that happens, what options are open? Although there has been some movement made by the islands to take control of their own futures, there is one option they might consider: uniting with Norway. At first, the idea seems ludicrous, but on closer inspection, it starts to make sense.
Consider the distances. The Shetlands are 100 miles from John O’Groats, and their capital, Lerwick, is 300 miles north of Edinburgh. London is 600 miles away, which makes Lerwick as distant from the British capital as are the Pyrenees. Lerwick is actually closer to Oslo – 470 miles – and Copenhagen – 589 miles – than London.

[Batcher]

As with most of the referendum, the MSM only report the union side. The Yes votes are increasing on the islands if you have a look around on facebook & twitter.

[TykeMerc]

I wonder how much of the oil and gas resource that Scotland aim to annexe in the event of independence are actually in what would rationally be described as Shetland and Orkney waters.
Since the islanders want to remain as Brits (which is understandable) it could present an interesting situation Certainly applies to Falkland Islanders too so there's precedent!!

[vetran]

I wonder how much of the oil and gas resource that Scotland aim to annexe in the event of independence are actually in what would rationally be described as Shetland and Orkney waters.
Since the islanders want to remain as Brits (which is understandable) it could present an interesting situation Certainly applies to Falkland Islanders too so there's precedent!!

hence the map linky.

[SueEllen]

I wonder how much of the oil and gas resource that Scotland aim to annexe in the event of independence are actually in what would rationally be described as Shetland and Orkney waters.
Since the islanders want to remain as Brits (which is understandable) it could present an interesting situation Certainly applies to Falkland Islanders too so there's precedent!!

I think the Shetland and Orkneys should be independent of the UK and Scotland. Like Jersey et al.

[Batcher]

I think the Shetland and Orkneys should be independent of the UK and Scotland. Like Jersey et al.

If that's the will of the Islanders then that would be fair enough. Having the oil is a bonus to Scotland and we would still have some if the islands got independence.

We would survive as an independent nation with our other rich resources.

[JustinTime]

If that's the will of the Islanders then that would be fair enough. Having the oil is a bonus to Scotland and we would still have some if the islands got independence.

We would survive as an independent nation with our other rich resources.

Ha-ha-ha. Priceless. Thanks, that's made my day.

[TykeMerc]

I think the Shetland and Orkneys should be independent of the UK and Scotland. Like Jersey et al.

Not unreasonable if that's what they'd overwhelmingly prefer, but at the moment it appears that many would rather remain as part of the UK.
The channel islands have all sorts of governmenty stuff that the Shetlands/Orkneys may not have (no idea if they do) plus they're in a smallish area, I couldn't guess if that model would be practical if it was wanted.

In the event that Scotland does go independent they would be on very rocky moral grounds if they tried to object to the islands fecking off from Scotland.

[Old Greg]

hence the map linky.

Consider the geopolitical ramification of Point B on map below: