Calm questions. Real consequences.

Shetland is capable, resilient, and generous. What has changed is not the strength of the place, but the way decisions about it are made — often far away, explained afterwards, and treated as inevitable.

Who decided — and on what authority?

Shetland First exists to bring grown-up questions back into public life — without shouting, without fear, and without asking permission to be taken seriously.

The one question - Does the Crown own Shetland?

Everything hinges on this single question. Every single organisation in Shetland relies on that presumption.

These are the areas of interest:

Energy Fishing Finance Law & Autonomy Shetland’s Future 2026 Election
Our position in one breath

YES… yes… yes…

We agree to all of this:

  • Land and seas industrialised by outside corporations.
  • “Consultation” that feels like a formality.
  • Being taxed to the hilt.
  • Foreign mega‑trawlers fishing our waters unmolested.
  • Local boats squeezed and scrutinised.
  • And other fine ideas we’re expected to be grateful for.

Our answer is still YES — as long as those deciding, approving, and profiting can show their authority to do so.

And if they can’t? Then we still have the right to say NO.

Rooted in land, sea, and responsibility

Fishing, crofting, clean water, and a living environment are not abstract interests. They are the foundations of Shetland life — and the people who depend on them are not obstacles to progress. They are evidence that local responsibility works.

What works elsewhere doesn’t always work here. Island environments have smaller margins for error — and decisions made at a distance can become irreversible faster than anyone admits.

Looking for substance?

Shetland First works alongside the research and evidential work of The Sovereign Nation of Shetland (TSNS).

This site exists to ask the questions — TSNS exists to show the workings. If you want detailed source material, context, and documentary depth, you’ll find it there.

Stay in touch

If you’d like occasional updates (no noise, no spam), leave your name and email below.

You can unsubscribe any time.