Living on the edge? – Shetland and the HerInDep project: an initial survey

Scotland’s 2022 Census has shown that Shetland’s population, unlike that of Orkney, which has grown, has contracted since 2011. While this decline is not as steep as some other regions, it has revived discussions about the long-term sustainability of the UK’s most northerly archipelago’s population. Linked to this is the threat which depopulation poses to Shetland’s rich array of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, especially within Shetland’s more demographically vulnerable outer isles. However, recent research suggests that, far from being a victim of this process, cultural heritage may provide opportunities to sustain current populations and attract new islanders. As part of the HerInDep project, this paper provides an overview of the current demographic and cultural heritage situation in Shetland. It will ask a fundamental research question: can cultural heritage be used as a tool in local communities’ fight against depopulation? Alongside some initial conclusions, this paper will also provide an outline of the project’s future work in Shetland and further areas for study.