On the Scottish islands of Orkney in the North Atlantic, discussions are being held about separation from Great Britain. One of several options is to become an autonomous area of Norway.
IMAGO/imagebroker/Alimdi Arterra
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, community leader James Stockan emphasized the close ties with Norway, to which the 20,000-strong archipelago once belonged. The British media spoke of a possible “Orkxit” based on “Brexit”.
Fewer subsidies than other islands
Stockan requested that other forms of government be considered. The goal is greater economic independence, he said. The archipelago north of mainland Scotland feels betrayed by the governments of London and Edinburgh.
Financial contributions are significantly lower than in the Shetland Islands further north or the Outer Hebrides in western Scotland.
Back to Norway
Orkney was founded in 1472 as a guarantee for the dowry on the marriage of Queen Margaret of Denmark to King James III of Scotland. promised to Scotland.
“On the streets of Orkney, people ask me when are we going to return the dowry, when are we going to be part of Norway again,” Stockan said. There is a great cultural connection with the Nordic countries.