Tiny Shetland Island, Home To One, Declares Independence

All Headline News ^ | June 25, 2008 | Shannon McAleenan

[Diana in Wisconsin]

London, UK (AHN) - The resident of a small island off the coast of Scotland has declared its independence from the United Kingdom. Stuart Hill, the owner of the island, wants it to be a crown dependency, similar to the Channel Islands.

According to a statement on his Web site, Hill, who owns Forvik, a 2.5-acre island in the Shetland Islands, declared that he no longer recognized the authority of the British government or the European Union.

Hill, 65, landed on the small island in 2001 when his boat capsized there during an attempt to circumnavigate Britain. As the island's sole resident, he lives in a tent and runs a Web site for the island.

Hill writes about the history of the island and how that relates to his claims of crown dependency. "By declaring Forvik a crown dependency, I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the crown," he wrote on the site.

Following the declaration, Hill offered his services to the Queen while recognizing her as the head of state. He also invited others to join him on his lonely little island.

"Further, I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik."

[ClearCase_guy]

Is this a picture of the guy?

[Tax-chick]

Sounds like a plan.

[stevio]

I like the theory, but 2.5 acres isn’t enough land.

[cowboyway]

"Further, I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik."

One 2.5 acres?!?

[cowboyway]

The Crown Dependency of Forvik

[WakeUpAndVote]

Land-owning citizens will be entitled to vote and participate in the island's unique open direct democracy system. Land-owning citizens will decide how the island’s income is spent and what projects are undertaken.

____________

Somehow, this appeals to me.

[cowboyway]

Somehow, this appeals to me.

I've always liked the idea that only those with a vested interest in their country can vote.

[libertarian27]

My favorite daydream site:
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/

Just for curiosities sake I looked into it, every piece of land on the world is covered by a country, bummer, my dream shattered.

[LoneConservative]

Ever hear of “Sealand”??? It’s an old AA /Radar site in the Eng. Chanel, built during WWII., and the last of its kind. It looks sort of like a drilling platform, wih two big concrete legs. A guy named Roy something-or other declared it to be an independent nation called “Sealand”.

LC

[cowboyway]

First time I've heard of it.

Sealand

[Tunehead54]

Here you go! ;-)

Principality of Sealand

[massgopguy]

Finally, a Stuart on the throne.

[Cheburashka]

Just for curiosities sake I looked into it, every piece of land on the world is covered by a country, bummer, my dream shattered.

---

That's not true. Part of Antarctica is unclaimed by any country.

Admittedly, it's Antarctica. But after you stake your claim, it will be your piece of Antarctica, and therefore beautiful to you.

Besides, you'll have an ready-made industry on Day One. Making penguin documentaries.