Shetland Political History
A research project documenting over 300 years of political representation in the Shetland Islands
This project has been an ongoing body of work since 2009, building a comprehensive record of Shetland's political history from the first Parliament of Great Britain elections in 1707 through to the present day. It covers every recorded election, candidate and representative across six governing bodies.
What began as curiosity about a few local elections has grown into a detailed archive — pieced together from council minute books, newspaper archives, official records and contributions from the public. Behind every entry is a story: the landowners who controlled early elections, the reformers who fought to widen the franchise, the first women to stand for office, and the communities that shaped modern Shetland. Read the full history ›
Browse by council
Lerwick Town Council
The local council for Shetland's capital, established 1818 as a Burgh of Barony. Replaced by the SIC in 1975.
Zetland County Council
Created by the 1889 Local Government Act, representing all of Shetland's wards. Replaced by the SIC in 1975.
Shetland Islands Council
The current local authority for Shetland, established 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
Parliament of Great Britain
The combined parliament of England and Scotland from the 1707 Acts of Union until 1801. Shetland was represented jointly with Orkney.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The parliament at Westminster from 1801 to the present day. Shetland has been part of the Orkney and Shetland constituency throughout.
About this project
Researched and compiled by James Stewart since 2009, with help from the Shetland Museum and Archives, Bayanne, Shetland Library and many other contributors. The primary interest of this work is the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, so some contemporary elections may be incomplete.
All contributions are welcomed — if you have information, corrections or photographs, please get in touch at james at jastewart.co.uk.