The Scottish Orkney Islands feel betrayed by the governments in London and Edinburgh. The inhabitants of the North Atlantic archipelago now want to discuss other forms of government, including parting ways with Britain.

The possibility of separating from Great Britain is being debated in the Scottish Orkney Islands. There are several options, one of which is to become an autonomous territory of Norway. In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, community leader James Stockan highlighted the historically close ties with the Scandinavian country, to which the archipelago of 20,000 inhabitants belonged.

Late on Sunday afternoon, the British media were talking about a possible “Orkxit” in the North Atlantic, in reference to Britain’s departure from the EU, called “Brexit.” Stockan has requested that other forms of government be considered. The goal is greater economic independence, he said.

According to him, the archipelago north of mainland Scotland feels betrayed by the governments in London and Edinburgh. Financial donations are significantly lower than in the Shetland Islands further north or the Outer Hebrides in the west of Scotland.

Orkney was formerly part of Norway

Orkney was used as collateral for the dowry at the wedding of Queen Margaret of Denmark to King James III of Scotland in 1472. promised to Scotland. “On the street in Orkney people ask me when we will return the dowry, when we will be part of Norway again,” Stockan said. There is a great cultural connection with the Nordic countries.

Possible forms of government include a crown possession, such as the Channel Islands, which have their own laws and are directly subordinate to the British Crown, or an overseas territory such as Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands.

The city council will debate the request tomorrow, which has not yet determined a concrete solution. “We will examine the practical significance and then evaluate the results,” Stockan said. “We want to find the best position for future generations and our place in the world.”