Like a disgruntled family member who can’t stand their nearest and dearest, the Orkney Islands in Scotland are considering the possibility of becoming a territory of distant rellie Norway. The Orkney Council is investigating alternative forms of government, including re-establishing its historic “Nordic connections”. Residents of the islands, which were under Norwegian and Danish control until 1472, claim they do not receive adequate funding from the Scottish and British governments. And council leader James Stockan argues that Orkney’s historical ties with the lands from whence the Vikings came make exploring the current-day possibilities valuable. Any changes in status or leaving the UK would require referendums and agreements with the British and Scottish governments. Brexit the sequel, anyone?