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Shetland

Where Britain Meets the Arctic

Shetland, lying closer to Bergen than to Edinburgh, is Britain's most northerly inhabited archipelago — 100 islands of dramatic moorland, Viking heritage, and some of the world's finest coastal wildlife including puffins, orcas, and red-necked phalaropes.

Development

Development in Shetland

Shetland's prosperity has been underpinned by oil since the 1970s — Sullom Voe terminal handles a significant proportion of UK North Sea oil. The community-owned Shetland Charitable Trust has invested oil revenues in infrastructure over decades. Energy transition presents both challenge and opportunity.

Key Sectors

  • Oil & Gas (Sullom Voe, declining)
  • Offshore Wind (Viking Energy)
  • Aquaculture (premium salmon)
  • Fishing & Processing
  • Tourism
  • Creative Industries (Shetland wool, crafts)

Funding & Grants

Shetland Charitable Trust (unique community wealth fund), HIE Shetland, Islands Growth Deal, Oil & Gas UK transition support.

Planning development activity in this region?

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Other Highland Regions

Inverness & Central Highlands Cairngorms National Park Isle of Skye & Lochalsh Ross-shire & The Black Isle Sutherland Caithness & John O'Groats Argyll & Bute Western Isles — Outer Hebrides Orkney Moray & Speyside Lochaber & Fort William