1903
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- Whaling begins in Shetland waters, spelling the end for the Humpback Whales in the area. The Zetland Whale Fishing Co.'s kill for the season was 62.
- Filmaker Jenny Gilbertson born in Clydebank, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
March
- 17th
Appeal against Smith in Sinclair's Beach case decided by First Division of Court of Sessions in Smith's favour. The court upheld udal landholders' rights to the foreshore to the lowest tidemark. - 29th
Barque Louisa of Drammen wrecked on Havra, 4 lives lost.
April
- The first whaling station in Britain, the Norwegian owned Zetland Whale Fishing Co. was established at Ronas Voe, Northmavine.
May
- 9th
Massive fire in Union Bank buildings, Lerwick.
June
- 5th
The Julienne Heriette, a wooden hulled sail lugger, of France, foundered at a position approx 18 miles E of Balta Sound, Unst.
July
- Shetland's second whale station, the Norrona Whale Fishing Co. was established in Ronas Voe, Northmavine
- 10th
The Livinstonia sank in Balta Sound.
October
- 12th
The wooden ketch Welfare broke from moorings in storm conditions and wrecked in Grutness Voe.
November
- 3rd
Election of the Lerwick Town Council. - 12th
The wooden smack Gertie in passage from Hamnavoe, Burra to Scalloway wrecked at Hamnavoe Harbour mouth.
December
- 15th
The Nautilus, a wooden hulled barquentine or schooner laden with a cargo of coal, of Uddevalla, Sweden, from Sunderland, England, and for Helsingborg, Sweden, sprang a leak and foundered at a position approx 20 miles SE of Muckle Flugga, Unst. The crew saved themselves by coming ashore in the ship's small boat on Muckle Flugga.
