Stuart Hill owns Forvik, an island of 2.5 acres off Scotland. On Saturday, citing a 15th-century dowry arrangement between the Norwegian and Scottish kings of the time, he declared independence from the United Kingdom. He plans to issue his own currency, print his own stamps, and raise his own flag (shown). “Forvik owes no allegiance to any United Kingdom government, central or local, and is not bound by any of its statutes,” he wrote on his web site.
Call it romantic, silly, delusional, or whatever, but I carry a little baseline sadness that such isn’t really possible anymore. We have international agreements for everything and everywhere.
I suspect what will happen here is that the United Kingdom will stop short of recognizing Forvik, but will leave Hill alone. We’re talking about a 65-year-old guy who lives in a tent on the beach, so it would seem to be a self-limiting “problem” (though he’s actively soliciting residents).
However, I’d be curious to see what happened if he started clearing lots of money from a book, or decided to devote 2.25 acres of the island to growing a potent marijuana strain.
You might also like:
- Boys’ trip to Pensacola for the Blue Angels
Oh, what a great weekend! Dad, the boys, and I met Dad’s brother, his son, and his son’s father-in-l… - Obama at work on our standing in the world
The only person convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people, was recently… - On her 234th birthday, the United States of America remains exceptional
It was Saintseester’s comment on Wonder Woman’s revised costume that put the term self-loathing (reg… - Margaret Thatcher dead at 87
Margaret Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, died yesterday. S… - Happy Independence Day!
The United States remains the greatest country the world has ever known, and remains the world at l…
I think its really cool…. all but the tent part. I’m going to bet on him using real clam shells for currency right now. ( ;
I’d consider moving there, but I’d need more than a tent on the beach…
I hope another Falklad style war doesn’t ensue.
Given that it’s one guy in a tent and not, say, Argentina, I’d say the possibility of another Falklands War is remote at best. 🙂
Oh, I don’t know, there is truly no end to the foolishness of governments.
Me, I would have let Argentina have the Falklands/Malvinas.