Orkney independence: Why is archipelago exploring 'alternative governance'?
Orkney is considering breaking away from the UK and could become part of Norway under new proposals.
The archipelago off the north of Scotland, which is made up of 70 islands, is exploring how it is governed.
Orkney Islands Council will debate a motion on Tuesday to investigate "alternative forms of governance", the BBC reported.
There is growing frustration on the islands that Orkney does not receive fair funding from Scotland and the UK.
It could mean the islands changing their status within the UK or even becoming a self-governing territory of Norway.
Yahoo News UK examines what it could mean for Orkney...
Where is Orkney?
Orkney is one of the two archipelagos of the Northern Isles of Scotland - the other is Shetland.
Orkney is located 10 miles north of the coast of the county of Caithness.
A ferry to Orkney runs twice daily from the village of John O'Groats.
Orkney is made up of dozens of islands and is about 300 miles away from Norway.
- Orkney mulls return to Norwegian ownership after being 'failed' by government (Herald Scotland, 3 mins)
What is the population of Orkney?
There are 70 islands in Orkney, 20 of which are inhabited.
According to official figures, the population of Orkney was 22,540 as of June 2021.
The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years.
The largest Orkney island - the Mainland, also known as Hrossey and Pomona - is an area of 200 square miles.
The largest settlement on Orkney is the town of Kirkwall, which has a population of about 10,000 people.
- Orkney Islands to consider break from UK governance and explore 'Nordic connections' (Sky News, 2 mins)
What is the history of Orkney?
Orkney did not always belonged to Scotland and the UK.
Orkney was annexed by Norway in the year 875 and settled by Norsemen.
But in 1472, Orkney and Shetland was brought into the Kingdom of Scotland after the failure to pay a dowry promised to James III of Scotland by the family of his bride, Margaret of Denmark.
The islands had been used as security for the marriage, seen as a way of uniting Scotland and Denmark following years of discord about taxation of the Hebrides Islands.
- Orkney Islands declared Britain's best rural place to live (Yahoo News UK, 2 mins)
Could Orkney choose independence?
James Stockan, the leader of Orkney Islands Council, has put forward a motion saying it is time for Orkney to consider other forms of governance.
He has suggested Orkney should consider a similar model to crown dependencies, such as Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
He has also put forward using "Nordic connections”, which could mean following the Faroe Islands, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark in the North Sea.
The motion notes that any constitutional change would likely require a combination of petitions, referenda and legislation at Holyrood and Westminster.
Why might Orkney want independence?
Mr Stockan told the BBC he felt that Orkney is being “failed dreadfully” by governments in both Edinburgh and London.
Funding is less per head than Shetland and the Western Isles receive, he said.
“We were part of the Norse kingdom for much longer than we were part of the United Kingdom," he said.
“On the street in Orkney, people come up and say to me when are we going to pay back the dowry, when are we going back to Norway.
“There is a huge affinity and a huge deep cultural relationship there. This is exactly the moment to explore what is possible.”
- Orkney explores options after being 'failed dreadfully' by UK and Scotland (PA Media, 2 mins)
What has the reaction been?
The Scottish Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur, said he supported empowering island communities but warned there are dangers in “putting up barriers”.
He said: “I am due to meet local councillors on Monday and will be interested to learn more about what is envisaged.
“Locally, I think islanders will also want to be reassured that this exercise won’t result in council resources being taken away from the day-to-day running of services at a time when these are under real pressure.”
