Oil development and social change in the Shetland Islands 1971–1991

Abstract

The Shetland Islands took considerable trouble to anticipate the effects of oil exploration on their culture. They aimed to preserve their local industries of agriculture, fishing, and knitwear, and to maintain the low rate of serious crime. Although the policies were not entirely successful, the Shetland Islands seem to have preserved their culture and their economy. If this method of early identification of what should be preserved, and early attention to minimizing impacts of inevitable change by securing a degree of local control could be utilized by other communities, many of the problems of rapid industrialization may be avoided.

Keywords:

• oil development
• culture
• Shetland Islands