1980
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
- The Shetland Racing Pigeon Club was formed.
- Death of George Waterston who co-founded the Fair Isle Lodge and Bird Observatory
January
- 16th
The Brighter Morn, a wooden hulled British fishing vessel went aground on the Ord, Bressay and quickly sank.
June
- 24th
A 15 year Lerwick youth was killed when he fell over an approx 100 foot cliff near the Dutchman's Leap at the Knab. When members of the coastguard were unable to reach the spot where he'd fallen by climbing down the cliff, the Lerwick Lifeboat was called out and effected the recovery using their inflatable dinghy.
September
- 21st
The Maverick, of Burra Isle. A motor fishing vessel, ran aground and subsequently sank just outside the South Harbour, Fair Isle.
