The Shetland Report (1978): Nine Models
In 1978, Shetland Islands Council commissioned The Shetland Report: A Constitutional Study to explore Shetland’s constitutional options in the event of major constitutional change.
The report did not recommend an outcome. It set out nine models and left the choice to the people of Shetland.
Important: the status quo is one option, not the default
Most discussion in the UK treats the current arrangement as the natural baseline and everything else as “extreme”. The Shetland Report approached the question differently.
It treated the status quo as Model 1 — one option among nine — and placed it on the same page as the others. That framing still matters. It allows the discussion to begin from the simple fact that Shetland has choices.
Model 1 — The Status Quo
Shetland remains governed under existing UK and Scottish arrangements.
This model assumes no constitutional change. Decisions affecting Shetland continue to be made through the present UK/Scottish structure. The status quo is included as an option, not treated as a default.
Model 2 — Scotland Devolved, but not Shetland
Scotland gains devolved powers, but Shetland remains directly governed from Westminster in devolved matters.
This model explores a separation between Scotland’s constitutional path and Shetland’s, while remaining within the UK.
Model 3 — Shetland in a Devolved Scotland
Shetland is included within a devolved Scotland and governed under Scottish devolved legislation.
This model broadly reflects what later occurred after 1999, with devolution operating through the Scottish Parliament.
Model 4 — Shetland as Part of an Independent Scotland
Scotland becomes independent and Shetland is included within the new Scottish state.
Under this model, Shetland’s constitutional future would be determined as part of Scotland’s independence settlement.
Model 5 — Shetland Devolved Separately from Scotland
Shetland receives devolved powers separately, rather than through Scottish devolution.
This model explores Shetland having its own devolved institutions, rather than being governed through Scotland’s devolved framework.
Model 6 — Shetland as Part of a UK Federation
The UK becomes a federal state and Shetland becomes a recognised unit within it.
This would require wider UK constitutional reform. The aim would be a clearer structure of protected local powers within a federal system.
Model 7 — Shetland as a Condominium of England and Scotland
Shetland becomes jointly associated with England and Scotland under a shared arrangement.
This is an unusual model internationally, but not unknown. It explores internal self-government with certain sovereign functions shared or jointly overseen.
Model 8 — Shetland with Special Status
Shetland remains connected to the UK but with a distinct constitutional status.
This model ranges from limited safeguards to arrangements closer to places such as the Isle of Man or the Faroes, involving greater local autonomy and clearer local control.
Model 9 — Shetland Fully Independent
Shetland becomes a sovereign state.
This model explores the implications of full independence, including international recognition, treaties, defence and security, currency, and the responsibilities of government.
What happens next?
The purpose of this page is not to argue for a model. It is to restore the menu of options and make the choices visible again.
The next step is to revisit each model in more detail and update the context for the present day — including what has changed since 1978, and what practical questions any model would need to answer.