The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
Shetlanders scorn the Appellation
Scotch" and Cling to Their
Own Patronymic.
For Many Years They Lived
Apart, Being a People Unto
Themselves.
Sensation Created by the Arrival of the
First Steam Vessel-People and
Their Ways.

Especial Correspondents Of The INDEPENDENT.l
SHETLAND ISLANDS, Oct. 13.-Although
these far-away islands belong to Scot
land, and though mercantile interests
and intermarriage for 400 years show
marked Scottish. and especially Highland
Scottish, influence and similarity of Gus
toms and manners, the Shetlanders refuse
to consider themselves. or be called
Scotch They have always been s'she +
landers." Those from the mainland are
Scotch" Thus it has always stood, an d
stands to this day with resolute obstinacy.
Both the Shetland Islands, and the Ork-
neys, lying between the Shetlands and
Scotland, originally belonged to the o Id
Scandinavian kingdom of Norway and
Denmark. In point OF fact they still
do. That is, they were never formally
transferred to Scotland. When, in 1868.
James III. of Scotland took for HIS
bride, Margaret, daughter of Christian
I. of Denmark, both groups of islands
were merely assigned in sswad-
SET or as pledge for Margaret's dowry.
This form of mortgage has never been re-
deemed, nor has it ever been foreclosed,
unless time may be said to have done SO;
and it at any time the $4,000 people of the
Orkneys, who derive their name. Orcadiaus,
from the islands ancient name, the Roman
Orcades, and the 29.O00 souls of Shetland,
Zetland lancient Morse, Hjaltland, or high
land) should at any time desire to renew
their allegiance either with Denmark, or to
Norway or Sweden, nothing existing in in
ternational comfy could justly oppose their
doing 90. There are fifty-six islands isiets
and holms in the Orkney group, twenty
nine Of which are inhabited: and the Shet-
land group comprise 100 islands and islets,
of which twenty-eiRht are peopled.
In remote parts OF both the Orkneys and
6hetlands much of the dialect of the ma
tiyes is SO impregnated with Scandinavian
words and idioms as to be very difficult for
even Highland Scotchmen. between whom
and these folks there are strong afinities in
speech and customs, to understand. At the
time these islands we're pledged to James
Ill. for the payment Of Margafet's dowry
it was distinctly provided that Morse gov
eminent should be continued and that the
law of St. Olaf''-that good saint who ID
not dead but only sleeping and bidinQ his
time to return with all his power and great
ness for Norway-should prevail, A relic of
this ancient system is found in the sspeerie
lairds." or little lords, who still hold and
may transfer their hands by word of mouth,
no written document being required. These
are to-day the only absolute freeholders Of
land in both island groups. The region
about Harfay, on the northeast coast OF the
Loeb Of 6tennees, in the Orkneys, and the
township Of Fladdabister, about ten miles
south Of the city of Lerwiok, in the Shet-
land mainland. are still psopled by these
'.peerie lairds." They are wondrous boast
ers over their pure Morse descent. and are
poor, proud and insolent. The herring
fishing industry has within few years
given both the Orkneys and Shetlands nm
usual prosperity, and as the total catch Of
all fish on the Shetland coasts now EQUALS
one-third of the entire annual catch
for Scotland, it would seem that the
Scotch were destined to reap @