Orkney Islands Consider Returning to Norway after 550 Years

Tired of being overlooked by distant politicians, officials on Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands are contemplating a drastic solution: reuniting with Norway, the Scandinavian country that relinquished control of the islands as part of a royal wedding dowry over 550 years ago.

On Tuesday, the Orkney Islands Council will discuss various options for “alternative governance models,” including exploring the archipelago’s “Nordic connections.” Located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of mainland Scotland, Orkney aims to address its dissatisfaction with both the Scottish government in Edinburgh, situated 300 miles (480 kilometers) to the south, and the distant UK government in London.

Council leader James Stockan highlighted the islanders’ desire to repay the historical dowry and restore ties with Norway. He emphasized the deep cultural relationship and significant affinity that exists between Orkney and Norway, indicating that now is the opportune time to explore possibilities.

Norway has chosen to maintain a diplomatic distance from the discussion, stating, “This is a domestic and constitutional matter for Britain. We do not have a position on this motion,” according to a statement from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry provided to The Big Big News.

Orkney, formerly an impoverished region heavily reliant on the unpredictable fishing industry, experienced a surge in prosperity following the discovery of vast offshore oil reserves in the 1960s. With a population of around 22,000, the islands have also witnessed growth in the wind power sector and a thriving tourism industry.

Stockan, however, lamented the insufficient support received from the Scottish government in comparison to other island communities like Shetland or the Hebrides. He emphasized the pressing need for new ferries to maintain connectivity between Orkney’s numerous islands. Despite repeated requests, Stockan expressed frustration at the delays and additional studies imposed on the islands.

The accompanying report to Stockan’s proposal suggests that Orkney should explore options such as the status of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing dependency of Denmark situated between Scotland and Iceland. Another alternative proposed is to adopt a model similar to Britain’s Crown Dependencies, such as the Channel Islands, which enjoy a high degree of self-governance and are known for their favorable tax regulations.

The report acknowledges that any constitutional change is a distant prospect, likely necessitating a combination of petitions, referendums, and legislation from both the Scottish and UK governments. The governments in Edinburgh and London currently find themselves at odds over the Scottish administration’s aspiration to establish an independent Scotland separate from the United Kingdom.

Orkney, along with the Shetland Islands located even further north, was under Norwegian and Danish control for centuries until 1472 when the Scottish crown incorporated the islands as part of Margaret of Denmark’s wedding dowry to King James III of Scotland.

Leslie Burgher, an architect serving as Norway’s honorary consul in Orkney, highlighted the enduring cultural and personal connections between Norway and Orkney. The Norse influence is still evident in various aspects, including place names, personal names, and architectural marvels like St. Magnus Cathedral—a magnificent medieval structure dating back to Norse times.

Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit paid an official visit to the Orkney Islands in 2017, further underscoring the enduring ties between the regions.

The British government has expressed reluctance to entertain the idea of forging new links between Orkney and Norway. Max Blain, spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, stated that there is currently “no mechanism” to alter Orkney’s status, asserting the belief that the United Kingdom is stronger when unified.

Jan M. Olsen, a writer for Big Big News, contributed to this story from Copenhagen.

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More about Reunification

• Orkney Islands Council
• History of Orkney
• Faroe Islands
• Channel Islands
• Scottish Government
• UK Government
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• St. Magnus Cathedral
• Scottish Independence Referendum