Leader comment: Maps can make us see Scotland and the world differently

Maps are a mix of geography, politics and practicality. Any flat representation of a curved surface will always be a compromise and the traditional world map, the Mercator, grossly distorts the sizes of the continents, so Africa appears much smaller than it actually is.

A map of Scotland shows Shetland in a box far to the south of where it actually is

In the eyes of some, this is a political snub; view the Gall-Peters projection, which better reflects size by making different compromises, and you will see the world in a different way.

Putting Shetland in a “box” off the north-east coast on maps of Scotland appears a practical thing to do. It is far enough away from the north coast that showing its true position would require making the mainland much smaller or the map considerably bigger.

But some, like the island’s MSP, Tavish Scott, see this as a political snub, demonstrating the islands are an “afterthought” in the Scottish Government’s thinking.

If this view is held by many on the islands, it seems sensible to find a compromise, perhaps by using official maps showing the true position alongside more practical ones.

It might benefit everyone – and do no harm – to see how far Shetland is from the mainland and to see Scotland in a different way.