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We want to find out how the Scottish Government derives its authority in Shetland. We presume that authority will come from Shetland being part of the UK. As far as we are aware, in Scots law, sovereignty is the same as ownership of the land and the Crown's sovereignty is what will make Shetland part of Scotland. We therefore need infomation showing that the Crown owns Shetland.

Our initial enquiry, via WhatDoTheyKnow.com, on 9 January 2025 was:

Dear Scottish Governmentment,

We are having difficulty finding proof that Shetland is part of Scotland.

According to The Laws of Scotland, Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia, Vol.18(42), "The Crown's sovereignty over Scotland and its dominium eminens, its ultimate tenurial superiority, are the same thing, are identical concepts”.

At Volume 18(47) it states that "The dominium eminens or ultimate superiority of the Crown is allodial, because not held of a higher lord, except of God". We want to know:

1) Do you accept The Laws of Scotland, Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia as a binding authority in Scotland? and

2) Are we correct in thinking that the Crown's sovereignty in Scotland is the same as its allodial ownership?

3) Are we correct in thinking that, for the Crown to have sovereignty in Shetland, it must have allodial ownership of Shetland?

4) If we are correct at 2) and 3) above, do you have proof that the Crown holds the allodial title of Shetland?

Yours faithfully,

The Sovereign Nation of Shetland

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They replied on 9 January:

Our Reference: 202500448672

Dear The Sovereign Nation of Shetland,

Thank you for your correspondence sent on 18/01/2025. Your query will be passed to the relevant area for consideration and has been given a reference number of 202500448672. Please quote this number in all correspondence.

The Scottish Government aim to respond, where necessary, as quickly as possible and within the stated timescale as indicated on our website (http://www.gov.scot/about/contact-inform...).

Yours sincerely

MiCase

Correspondence system for SG and partner agencies

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And again on 9 January 2025:

Please find attached a response to your correspondence.

This is saying that the request is not valid because the name is not valid. We relayed the information on names. They reversed their decision

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They reversed their decision with this on 23 January 2025:

Please find attached a response to your correspondence.

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On 27 January 2025:

Please find attached a response to your correspondence.

This is saying that the request is not valid because the name is not valid. We relayed the information on names. They reversed their decision

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Then, on 6 February 2025, the expiry date for a response:

Please find attached a response to your correspondence.

Which says "After conducting searches of our records, we have not identified any information involving Scottish Government Ministers or civil servants discussing or setting out opinions on the specific questions which you have raised... the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. (Emphasis added).

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When we came to make the next request on WhatDoTheyKnow.com, we were met with a message saying we are banned from the site, which is why we have been forced into setting up our own as a public record.

We do not think they can absolve themselves from the responsibility and consequences of not holding this information.