1872
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- William Guthrie's Truck Commission visits Shetland, and asks 17,000 questions about the system of truck used in Shetland fisheries and the hosiery industries.
- Lerwick Methodist Church was built.
- The building of West Yell Kirk started.
A piece of wood discovered during subsequent renovations has the following written on it in pencil:
“The mission house of West Yell was built in the year of God 1872. Joseph Irvine was the undertaker and John and Magnus Robertson, headmen of the joiners Robert Arthur, William Murray, David Murray, the labourers” - Education Act Scotland.
- The Union Bank Building was constructed in Lerwick.
- Anderson & Company was founded.
February
- 10th
Margaret Simson Cheyne, wife of John Cheyne, the sixth Laird Cheyne of Tangwick, died. - 18th
The Laberthe, a sail schooner laden with a cargo of coal, of Holbæk, Denmark, from Wemyss, Fife, Scotland and for Helsingborg, Sweden, having been badly damaged during storm condition over the preceeding two days, attempted to anchor to the north of Bressay, off Kebister Ness. Initially abandoned by her crew due to dragging anchor, she was subsequently re-boarded and taken it to Cat Firth for survey. Nothing further is known of her fate as the remainder of the record is missing.
March
- 16th
Four crewmen of the Isabella (1872), a brig, laden with a cargo of coal, of Montrose, Scotland, from Tayport, Fife, Scotland and for Copenhagen, Denmark, which had foundered at an unknown position five days previously, were picked up from their small boat by a passing smack to the east of Foula.
May
- 23rd
The stern of a ship's boat, bearing the lettering Jane & Margaret reported recovered at an unspecified location at the East side of Bressay. It is recorded that the wreckage appeared to have been in the water for quite some time. Nothing further is known of the vessel to which this small boat belonged, or of either her fate, or of how her small boat came to be in such a condition at such a location. This is presumed to be the date of reporting rather than the actual date of discovery.
June
- The Shetland Times established.
- 17th
Second Truck Commission Report presented to House of Commons
August
- 19th
Robert Stout elected to the Otago Provincial Council in New Zealand as representative for Caversham.
September
- 19th or 21st
The Miranda, a smack, laden with a cargo of fish, of Lerwick, from Voe, wrecked in the West Voe, Papa Stour.
October
- 2nd
The Turqouise (LK29), a fishing cutter, of Lerwick, from the Faroe fishing grounds, wrecked on the Ve Skerries. All of the crew were lost. - 26th
Frederick Dundas, MP for Orkney and Shetland died.
November
- 5th
Ian B. S. Holbourn born.
December
- 9th
Adam Halcrow, author, born in Cunningsburgh
