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The Shetland islands, off the coast of Scotland.
Shetland Island Resident Declares Independence from U.K.
The lone inhabitant of tiny island Forewick Holm claims it is a crown dependency, hoping to spur Shetland to declare its independence from the U.K.
30-Second Summary
Stuart Hill, a 65-year old yachtsman nicknamed “Captain Calamity,” has taken residence on a tiny, uninhabited Shetland island of Forewick Holm, located northeast of mainland Scotland, and proclaimed it a dependent state. He has renamed the island “Forvik” in honor of its Norwegian past and declared it a crown dependency similar to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Hill is attempting to challenge the claim to Shetland by Scotland and the UK governments. He contends that the islands—which were pawned to Scotland by Norwegian King Christian as part of a dowry—were never officially claimed by Scotland and remain directly answerable to the crown.
“By declaring Forvik a Crown Dependency I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the Crown,” wrote Hill on his Web site. “By doing so I will prove that Shetland as a whole can get the same benefits and more—simply by asserting rights that already exist.”
Hill, who has lived on the island for the past five years, is selling one-square-meter plots and accepting applications for citizenship. He plans for Forvik to have its own flag, stamps, tax and currency—the solid gold “gulde.”
It remains doubtful that Hill’s actions have any effect on Shetland, as the region’s residents don’t take him seriously. It appears that Forvik is destined to become a local joke similar to the principality of Sealand.
“I would, essentially, ignore him,” Shetland convener Sandy Cluness said. “I have to admire his spirit, but in the real world, we have to go another route, I think.”
Hill is attempting to challenge the claim to Shetland by Scotland and the UK governments. He contends that the islands—which were pawned to Scotland by Norwegian King Christian as part of a dowry—were never officially claimed by Scotland and remain directly answerable to the crown.
“By declaring Forvik a Crown Dependency I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the Crown,” wrote Hill on his Web site. “By doing so I will prove that Shetland as a whole can get the same benefits and more—simply by asserting rights that already exist.”
Hill, who has lived on the island for the past five years, is selling one-square-meter plots and accepting applications for citizenship. He plans for Forvik to have its own flag, stamps, tax and currency—the solid gold “gulde.”
It remains doubtful that Hill’s actions have any effect on Shetland, as the region’s residents don’t take him seriously. It appears that Forvik is destined to become a local joke similar to the principality of Sealand.
“I would, essentially, ignore him,” Shetland convener Sandy Cluness said. “I have to admire his spirit, but in the real world, we have to go another route, I think.”
Headline Link: Forvik declared a crown dependency
Stuart Hill spent time in a tent on the 2.5-acre island since 2001 and recently purchased it from a resident of the nearby island of Papa Stour. He intends to create stamps, currency, banking and financial services for Forvik and will also make a claim to the seabed for possible oil exploration. He encourages Shetland to follow suit. A spokeswoman for the UK ministry of justice told the Shetland Times: “Under the UK constitution, Forvik is part of the Shetland Islands, which is subject to UK legislation. The people of Shetland pay taxes to the United Kingdom exchequer and elect MPs to the UK parliament. Forvik is an integral part of the UK.”
Source: The Shetland Times
On his Web site, which serves as the official Web site for the Crown Dependency of Forvik, Hill released the “Forvik Declaration of Direct Dependence.” He declares, “the said island of Forvik owes no allegiance to any United Kingdom government, central or local, and is not bound by any of its statutes. I offer my services as Steward to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and acknowledge her rights as being the same, and not more, than were originally granted to King James III in 1469.” He invites people to join him on the island and adds: “It is my earnest desire that Forvik will provide an example for Shetland to follow and that Shetland in turn will provide an example for other countries and regions, the people of which would prefer a system where their politicians represent, rather than rule them.”
Source: The Crown Dependency of Forvik
Historical Context: The history of Shetland
Norwegian Vikings colonized the islands in the 8th and 9th centuries and ruled Shetland until 1469. The previous year, King Christian of Denmark, Norway and Sweden married his daughter to James III of Scotland. Unable to raise enough money for the dowry, he pawned Shetland to Scotland, with a condition that the Norway could buy the islands back at a fixed price. Despite numerous attempts to buy the islands back, Scotland refused to cede control.
Source: Visit Shetland
In 1669, Charles II ratified the pawning contract by an Act of Parliament and declared Shetland a Stewartry directly answerable to the crown. Furthermore, it stated that any attempts to change the status of the islands would be “voyd and null and of no effect.”
Source: Shetland & Orkney Udal Law group
Hill explained his interpretation of Shetland’s legal status on his Web site. He believes that the legal status has not changed since 1669 and Shetland should remain a Stewarty that answers directly to the crown. He writes, “I have written to her Majesty the Queen offering my services as Steward of Forvik—recognizing her as head of state, but recognising only those limited rights and privileges granted to the Crown by the pawning of Shetland in 1469.”
Source: The Crown Dependency of Forvik
Key Player: ‘Captain Calamity’
Stuart Hill is an eccentric yachtsman and adventurer who’s been dubbed “Captain Calamity” for his numerous failed attempts to circumnavigate the British Isles in a homemade boat. In 2001, his boat capsized west of Shetland and he had to be rescued by coastguards, who called him “very lucky to be alive.” It was after this trip that he first camped on Forewick Holm.
Source: Daily Telegraph
Reference: Forvik and Shetland
Shetland is an archipelago of about 100 islands—15 of which are inhabited—located northeast of mainland Scotland. It is known most for breeding Shetland ponies, but its economy relies on fishing, agriculture, oil and natural gas.
Source: Shetland.org
Shetlopedia is a user-generated encyclopedia dedicated to Shetland.
Source: Shetlopedia
Hill has established a Web site for Forvik, on which he advises Shetland residents to “Keep asking ‘When did the Crown get ownership?’” The site shows Forvik’s location, flag and Declaration of Dependence. It also features blog entries by Hill and what problems are faced by Forvik and Shetland, and how they can be solved. Users can buy honorary citizenship or one plot of land online for 1 gulde and two gulden, respectively.
Source: The Crown Dependency of Forvik
Related Topic: The principality of Sealand
The HMS Fort Roughs was a naval fort located off the coast of Suffolk, England, and was abandoned after World War II. In 1966, Paddy Roy Bates and his family took control of the fort and, in 1967, declared it to be a sovereign state—the principality of Sealand. Bates, also known as Prince Roy or Roy of Sealand, claims that Sealand is a sovereign state because it is located in international waters, but no UN member has ever recognized it as a country. Sealand has its own Web site and newspaper.
Source: The Guardian
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