- See Shetland (disambiguation) for other meanings.
Template:Infobox Scotland traditional county
| Shetland | |
|---|---|
| (In Detail) | (Coat of Arms) |
| Motto Með lögum skal land byggja | |
| |
| Geography | |
| Area - Total - % Water |
Ranked 12th 1,466 km² ? % |
| Admin HQ | Lerwick |
| ISO 3166-2 | GB-ZET |
| ONS code | 00RD |
| Demographics | |
| Population - Total (April 29, 2001) - Density |
Ranked 31st 21,988 15 / km² |
| Politics | |
| Shetland Islands Council http://www.shetland.gov.uk/ | |
| Control | Independent |
| MP | Alistair Carmichael |
| MSP | Tavish Scott |
The Shetland Islands (sometimes historically spelled Zetland, formerly Hjaltland) are one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, and also form a traditional county and Lieutenancy area. It is a Scottish island group between the Orkney Islands and the Faroe Islands, north of mainland Scotland, with a total area of approximately 1466 km2. The administrative centre and only burgh is Lerwick.
The Shetland Islands were originally a Norwegian colony, but ownership defaulted to the crown of Scotland on 20 February 1472 following non-payment of a marriage dowry. Many people on the islands do not feel Scottish, feeling closer to their Scandinavian roots. During World War II, boats from the Shetland Islands provided a relief service to occupied Norway, known as the "Shetland bus".
Composition
The main island of the group is known as Mainland. Other islands include:
- Balta, Bigga, Bressay, Brother Isle, Burra
- East Linga
- Fetlar, Fish Holm, Foula
- Gloup Holm, Gruney
- Haaf Gruney, Hascosay, Hildasay, Huney
- Lady's Holm, Lamba, Linga near Muckle Roe, Linga near Shetland Mainland, Linga near Yell, Little Roe, Lunna Holm
- Moul of Eswick, Mousa, Muckle Flugga, Muckle Ossa, Muckle Roe
- North Havra, Noss
- Orfasay, Out Stack, Oxna
- Papa, Papa Little, Papa Stour
- Samphrey
- Sound Gruney, South Havra, South Isle of Gletness
- Trondra
- Unst, Urie Lingey, Uyea, Uynarey
- Vaila, Vementry
- West Linga, Whalsay
- Yell
Fair Isle lies approximately halfway between Shetland and Orkney, but it is administered as part of Shetland and is often counted as part of the island group. The Outer Skerries lie east of the main group.
Famous places
- Clickimin broch
- Fort Charlotte
- Jarlshof archaeological site
- Mousa Broch
- Old Scatness archaeological site
- Scalloway Castle
- St Ninian's Isle
- Sullom Voe oil terminal
- Sumburgh Head
- Wind Dog Cafe (Yell)
- Skaw most notherly point in the United Kingdom
Main industries
- Crude oil and Natural gas production
- Agriculture
- Fishing
Language
The older Norn was replaced by Lowland Scots, which in turn, is being replaced by Scottish English.
As Norn was gradually replaced by Scots, the original Scandinavian name of the islands, Hjaltland became 3etland (the initial letter being the old Scots letter, yogh, which sounded almost identical to the original Norn sound, 'hj'). When the letter yogh was discontinued, it was often replaced by the similar-looking letter 'z', hence Zetland, the mis-pronounced form used to describe the pre-1975 county council.
Shetland Islands on film
- "Edge Of The World" (1937) dramatizes the evacuation of the Islands and the ensuing tragedy.
- "Return To The Edge Of The World" (1978). Documentary captures a reunion of cast and crew of 1937's "Edge Of The World," 40 years after the fact, as they re-visit the island.