1874

Tar-barrelling banned in Lerwick
The Birds of Shetland by Henry Linckmeyer Saxby were published by his brother Stephen one year after Henry's death. The book soon became a "standard read" for all British ornothologists.
The township of Garth (Gert) in Dunrossness, comprising six crofts, was cleared on the orders of Andrew John Grierson (2) the fifth laird of the Grierson of Quendale family estate, and owner of the land in question. A further twenty one crofts in neighbouring townships belonging to the same owner were also cleared at the same time, leaving the formerly thriving townships of Garth, Corston, Westing, Scord, Quam etc to only the Laird's own sheep.
Herring fishing yielded 1100 barrels
The Star (1874) (LK2237), a fishing vessel, of Lerwick, wrecked or foundered on or near Bigga, Yell.

March

Wreckage of an unidentified vessel reported coming ashore early in the month along NE Shetland. A portion of a wooden vessel, estimated to be approx one quarter ashore on the Rumble, east of Whalsay, wood said to be very old, also pit props at other locations in Whalsay. A quadrant and several pit props also reported ashore on East Yell, and a quadrant on Fetlar.

The Anne Fleming, a schooner, of Peterhead, Scotland was wrecked at an unspecified location in Northmavine.