Shetland

Shetland is an archipelago comprising over 100 islands located 211 miles north of Aberdeen and 225 miles west of Bergen, Norway. The population is spread across 16 inhabited islands, with the main town of Lerwick home to roughly 7,000 inhabitants. There are no areas in Shetland that would meet the statistical definition of ‘urban’.

While the economy of Shetland is active and growing, with the fishing and aquaculture industry the largest single contributor to output and the unemployment rate the joint lowest of all Scottish local authorities, the islands’ isolated location is reflected in a significantly higher cost of living than elsewhere in most of the UK – depending on family size and location in Shetland, this varies between 29% and 74% above the UK urban average. It is estimated, for example, that over 40% of Shetland households are in fuel poverty.

Shetland is an economically active and socially cohesive community and can boast an thriving voluntary base – there are over 600 community organisations, voluntary groups and social enterprises located in Shetland, and statistics show that almost a third of the adult population gives time to volunteer in the community every year.

LAG has a Chair and Vice Chair and 15 other LAG members from both public and private sectors

Helping families and services through the cost of living crises, including helping to address the drivers of child poverty

Transforming the economy to deliver net zero

Creating sustainable public services

Contact details

Annette.Priest@shetland.gov.uk

Shetland CLLD Programme Officer

• Phone Number: 01595 744902
• Address: Economic Development, Development Services Department, Shetland Islands Council, Solarhus, 3 North Ness Business Park, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LZ

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