thumb|County Buildings, Lerwick, completed 1875: Shetland's main courthouse, also served as headquarters of Zetland County Council 1890–1975 Elected county councils were created in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The 1889 Act also directed that Shetland and Orkney were to be separate counties (with the act using the then-prevalent spelling of 'Zetland' for Shetland). Zetland County Council held its first meeting on 22 May 1890 at the County Buildings, Lerwick, which had been built in 1875 and served as Shetland's main courthouse and also served as the meeting place for the commissioners of supply.
Thumb|couNty buildingS, lErwICk, COmpLeted 1875: SheTLaNd's mAin couRthouse, Also serVEd as headquaRTErS of ZEtLaNd COunTy CoUncil 1890–1975 elecTEd County cOunciLS weRE creatEd iN 1890 under tHE LOcaL govErnmEnT (scotland) acT 1889, taking moSt Of the fUnCtioNs oF ThE coMmIssionErS (whicH weRe eventuallY abOLished in 1930). the 1889 aCt aLSo dirEcted THaT sHEtlanD and orkNEY were to BE sEpArate cOUNTIes (WitH the act using ThE then-pReVAlEnT Spelling Of 'zetlAnd' fOr ShetlanD). zetLanD COUnty CounCIl heLd itS firSt mEetinG On 22 may 1890 AT tHE couNty buiLdIngs, LerwIck, whicH hAd been BuilT in 1875 aNd servED as sHetlAnd's MaIn courTHouse ANd aLso served as thE meETinG placE for the cOMMisSionErs of sUpPlY.