Ban on putting Shetland in a box on maps comes into force

In the past, Shetland has often appeared in maps floating in a box off the Aberdeenshire coast

New rules barring public bodies from putting Shetland in a box on official documents have come into force.

Islands MSP Tavish Scott had sought to change the law to ban the "geographical mistake" which "irks" locals, by amending the Islands (Scotland) Bill.

The bill's "mapping requirement" has now come into force, although it does give bodies a get-out clause if they provide reasons why a box must be used.

Mapmakers argue that boxes help avoid "publishing maps which are mostly sea".

The Islands Bill, which aims to offer greater protections and powers to Scotland's island communities, was unanimously passed in May.

It gives island councils extra powers over activities on and around their coastlines and requires ministers to have a long-term plan for improvement.

• 'Nobody puts Shetland in a box'

Thanks to an amendment from Mr Scott, it also includes a "Shetland mapping requirement".

The Lib Dem MSP said the common practice of placing Shetland in a box off the Moray Firth or the Aberdeenshire coast was "intensely annoying" to islanders, and created a false impression of the challenges they face on account of their remote location.

Tavish Scott initially raised the issue with the rural economy committee

The final rule written into the bill requires the islands to be "displayed in a manner that accurately and proportionately represents their geographical location in relation to the rest of Scotland" in any documents published by Scottish public authorities.

However, it does note that authorities can avoid complying with this if they provide "information" about their reasons.

Mr Scott said it was "ridiculous" that he had to change the law to close the box.

He said: "There is no excuse now for the Scottish government, its agencies or others to put Shetland in a box. The box is closed. It doesn't exist, whether that be in the Moray Firth or east of Orkney. Shetland is now in the right place.

"This Islands Act must go a whole lot further. Islands proofing - ensuring the islands are recognised in any law or government regulation - must work."

'Contribute hugely'

Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed the requirement coming into force, alongside the rest of the bill.

He said: "The Scottish islands have contributed and continue to contribute hugely to our culture and heritage and, with this act now starting to take force, will now have the opportunity to contribute even further to their own and our collective futures.

"They have very distinctive needs so the act introduces a number of measures to ensure there is a sustained focus across government and the wider public sector to meet the needs of island communities now and in the future."

Shetland appears in a box on some banknotes

Proper context - the red bordered landmass is Shetland in its rightful position with Norway to the east and Iceland to the north west

Only the Scottish Conservatives spoke out against the move at Holyrood, with MSP Peter Chapman calling it "impractical" and warning it would reduce the amount of detail in maps due to changing scales.

This was backed by the Ordnance Survey mapping agency, which said inset boxes avoid "publishing maps which are mostly sea".

A spokesman for the company said: "The Shetland Islands are approximately 245km (152 miles) from the Scottish mainland, from the most northerly part of the Shetland Islands to John O' Groats, and 690km (428 miles) from the most southerly point of the Scottish and English border.

"It would be virtually impossible to print a paper map, with any usable detail, of this vast geography."