The Orkney Islands may break free from Scotland in what could be a significant blow to the SNP.

The Islands' council chief James Stockan mentioned the islands are being "failed dreadfully" by each the SNP and Tory administrations on the mainland.

A movement to discover attainable choices for independence can be mentioned by Orkney Islands Council on Tuesday.

Cllr Stockan mentioned islanders really feel they aren't getting sufficient assist from the Scottish mainland, saying: "We can't go on as we are."

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he defined: "We are really struggling at the moment, we have to replace the whole ferry fleet which is older than the CalMac fleet.

"We are denied the issues that different areas get like RET (Road Equivalent Tariff) for ferry fares. And the funding we get from the Scottish Government is considerably much less per head than Shetland and the Western Isles to run the identical providers - we will not go on as we're."

He promised to explore whether Orkney could become self-sustainable through north sea oil and wind projects.

The council leader said: "We know that now we have contributed for the final 40 years by way of north sea oil, and the dividend we get again is not adequate to maintain us going.

"We've got a unique opportunity right at the heart of all the wind projects round our waters."

He added: "The council will decide whether it supports this motion and from there we will take our time, because we don't want to do this emotionally.

"We wish to take a look at all the sensible implications after which we'll consider the outcomes. We are on the lookout for the easiest place for future generations and our place on this planet."

In 2017, Orkney Islands Council voted to look at whether the islands could have greater autonomy but did not support full independence.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney Liam McArthur said a "one dimension suits all strategy by Government" can be "damaging".

He said: "As a Liberal Democrat, I’ve at all times believed in empowering people and communities to take choices that finest replicate their wants and circumstances.

"This is particularly important in our islands, where the effects of centralisation or a one size fits all approach by Government can be most damaging, as we have seen over recent years.

"Nevertheless, latest historical past additionally highlights the hazards from placing up limitations between or creating divisions inside communities. I'm on account of meet native councillors on Monday and can be to be taught extra about what's envisaged.

"There were similar proposals considered by OIC around the time of the last independence referendum and I am keen to understand how these would differ.

"Locally, I believe islanders may even wish to be reassured that this train gained’t end in Council assets being taken away from the day-to-day operating of providers at a time when these are underneath actual strain."