🔥 Trending Shetland Islands Plan for £1.5 Billion Undersea Tunnels to Connect Islands

The Shetland Islands Council has backed an ambitious £1.5 billion plan to connect several of its islands with a network of undersea tunnels, aiming to replace the aging ferry service and significantly improve inter-island transport connectivity ¹²⁵. This initiative represents a major overhaul of the archipelago's transport infrastructure.

Background and Motivation

Shetland, an archipelago located 200 miles north-west of the Scottish mainland, currently relies on a fleet of 12 inter-island ferries. These ferries complete approximately 70,000 sailings annually, serving around 750,000 passengers ⁴. However, the ferry service is aging, and there's a growing need for a more reliable, efficient, and future-proof transport solution ¹²⁴. The proposed tunnels are seen as a long-term strategy to address these challenges and enhance connectivity for island communities ⁷.

Key Aspects of the Plan

• Investment: The project is estimated to cost £1.5 billion ¹⁵.
• Replacement of Ferries: The primary goal is to replace the current inter-island ferry service, which has been deemed aging ¹⁴.
• Improved Connectivity: The tunnels are expected to offer more reliable and consistent links between islands, reducing travel times and improving access for residents and businesses ⁷.
• Inspiration from Faroe Islands: Shetland has drawn inspiration from the Faroe Islands, a neighboring Atlantic archipelago, which has successfully implemented a comprehensive network of more than 20 tunnels, including four undersea tunnels, since the 1960s ³.
• Timeline: While still in the early stages, there is hope that the tunnels could be in place within eight years, potentially by 2034 ¹⁴⁶. The council has approved a draft strategy and the next stage of plans for this long-term transport strategy ⁶⁷.
• Feasibility Study: The council's decision follows a feasibility study that proposed the tunnel solution ¹⁴. Councillors have agreed on preferred options for each island route as part of the Inter-island Transport Connectivity plan ⁷.

Current Status

As of July 2026, the Shetland Islands Council has approved the draft strategy and initial plans for the undersea tunnels ²⁶. This approval marks a significant step forward for the project, moving it closer to potential realization ⁵. The plan is to continue with detailed planning and development, with the aim of eventually securing the necessary funding and commencing construction.