The inhabitants of some of Scotland's most far flung islands are seeking new powers to shape their own destiny as the nation gears up for next year's independence referendum.

Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles councils are looking at different systems of governance, such as that used on the Falklands Islands in which eight elected assembly members pass legislation subject to the Queen's approval.

They also want more say over the revenues paid to the Crown Estate for sea-bed leases so these resources can be used to meet local needs.

Other aims include revenue-raising powers, improved energy connections with the mainland and a stronger recognition of their status within a Scottish constitutional settlement following the poll on September 18, 2014.

Upgraded connections to the grid, for example, would enable the islands, which have a population of around 70,000 people, to garner greater economic benefits from the areas' vast wave, tidal and wind energy resources.

While the islands' councils have no plans to break away, Shetland's LibDem MSP Tavish Scott has himself raised the prospect of Shetland seceding; and former Labour MP Brian Wilson, now a constitutional commentator, has suggested a Council of the Isles with "a Faroese-style autonomy over their territorial waters".

The islands' councils are engaging with the UK and Scottish governments and the European Union, as well as the Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns. Later this week the councils will send detailed questions to each of these bodies.

They are seeking a commitment that in the legal framework of post-referendum Scotland, the status of the three island groups will be recognised, with guarantees local government would continue and that the three island councils would not be merged.

The councils have conducted detailed research into how the governance systems of the Falklands and the Isle of Man, which sets its own taxes as a self-governing British Crown Dependency, ahead of a major conference in Orkney in September.

At a press conference delivered simultaneously from Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway via video link, Western Isles Council leader Angus Campbell said: "The constitutional debate offers the opportunity for the three island councils to secure increased powers for our communities to take decisions that benefit the economies and the lives of those who live in the islands.

"We look forward to making that happen by working with the Scottish and UK governments."

Shetland Islands Council's leader Gary Robinson said: "This is a very important moment, as the three islands come together to set out our vision. From a Shetland perspective, we feel our use of the Zetland County Council Act [which allowed the council to strike the lucrative deal with the oil companies] over the past 40 years to deliver at a local level has been very effective. We want to build on that, regardless of the outcome of the referendum."

Orkney Islands Council's convener Steven Heddle said: "Islands are special places with special requirements. The Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney each have a strong sense of identity. What we share is an abundance of natural resources and a pride in our cultural traditions."

Mr Scott said: "London is pretty remote from our islands - I am pleased the island councils have produced a blueprint of what they want from their governments."

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: "I don't detect any real appetite in Orkney for breaking up the UK, but there is certainly a feeling that centralising decision-making in Edinburgh or London is too often failing those living and working in our islands."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We welcome this contribution to the debate on Scotland's constitutional future and look forward to engaging with the three councils on their ideas, for example, when the cabinet visits Shetland at the end of July. The Scottish Government has already made clear our intention to propose constitutional protection for the role of local authorities with independence and we remain committed to the devolution of the Crown Estate in a way that will benefit Scotland and local communities."