Elections to the Shetland Islands Council were held on 2 May 1978 as part of Scottish regional elections, with 11 seats uncontested. The election saw 14 new councillors enter the Shetland Islands Council, an unusually large number, in part attributable to the charged political context surrounding the devolution debate of the late 1970s.^[1] Several of these incomers consisted of members of the pro-autonomy Shetland Group, later to become the Shetland Movement, and local Scottish National Party branch, registered as independents.^[2]

Quick Facts All 25 seats to Shetland Islands Council 13 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

1978 Shetland Islands Council election

← 1974 May 2, 1978 (1978-05-02) 1982 →
All 25 seats to Shetland Islands Council 13 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader A.I. Tulloch Party Independent Labour Leader's seat Aithsting and Sandsting Last election 18 4 Seats won 21 4 Seat change 3 0 Popular vote 4,039 941 Percentage 81.1% 18.9% Swing 8.7% 8.7%
Council Convener before election A.I. Tulloch Independent Council Convener after election A.I. Tulloch Independent

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The 1981 Burra and Trondra by-election was triggered by the resignation of Arthur Williamson. It was won by former councillor William Cumming, a member of the pro-autonomy Shetland Movement, as an independent candidate.^[3]