In less than a year Scotland is voting on whether to leave the UK, but far from being a simple decision on whether Scotland wants to manage its own affairs, there could be a spanner in the works.

Earlier this year the islands of Shetland, Orkney and the Western isles decided to use the independence vote as an opportunity to push for their own constitutional reform; a decision that could have far reaching consequences not only for the islands but also for Scotlands bid for independence.

To understand this debate its worth putting the islands concerns into some context. At least as British as Scottish

These islands have their own cultural and musical traditions that are different from the mainland; they also have a unique history.

The islands only became part of Scotland in the 15th century when they were given to Scotland as part of a Norwegian princesss dowry, before that they were part of Norway and spoke a Nordic dialect. That means theyve spent longer being ruled by Westminster than Edinburgh.

The Scandinavian country is often considered the spiritual home of the islanders, not Scotland. This was in focus 36 years ago when Shetlanders voted overwhelmingly against an independent Scotland.

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The trouble for Scottish Nationalists is the seas that surround the islands are rich in oil and gas reserves, holding some 20% of all UK reserves. Shetland is very influential in the North Sea oil and gas industry and the push for Home Rule could give the islands the lions share of Scotlands oil and gas reserves.

The islands are also attractive as a renewable source of energy. For example, Orkney has attracted billions in renewable energy investment in recent years. The importance of the islands in Scotlands energy industry could be what scuppers the Scottish independence lobbys bid for freedom.

Scottish independence hinges on Scotland being able to fund itself on the back of oil and gas revenues, but the islands are starting to object to the rest of Scotland taking their revenues when the oil is on their lands.

See the original post:

Could the Scottish Islands become the next Jersey?