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Views wanted on economic development and quality of life in Scotland’s islands

Views from Scottish islands are being actively sought
"Survey questions address issues that we know are key to enabling people to live and work in the islands, such as housing, jobs and digital connectivity, as well as access to health care and quality of the environment"

How is population decline affecting island communities? What opportunities are there for sustainable economic development on Scotland’s islands? These questions, and many others, are at the heart of research being carried out by social scientists at the James Hutton Institute, and for which views from the islands are being actively sought.

The research, commissioned by the Scottish Government, seeks to engage islanders in monitoring the impact and effectiveness of the National Islands Plan, and to record perceptions of key aspects of island life in different communities.

A survey is being sent to 20,000 island residents, including Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and islands situated within the local authorities of Argyll and Bute, Highland and North Ayrshire.

Dr Ruth Wilson, a social scientist within the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department and co-ordinator of the survey, said: “We’re asking islanders about their everyday experiences and the survey will help us measure how communities are faring in terms of the objectives set out in the National Islands Plan.

“Survey questions address issues that we know are key to enabling people to live and work in the islands, such as housing, jobs and digital connectivity, as well as access to health care and quality of the environment.

“It is important that we hear views from across the Scottish islands, from the smallest to the largest, from Unst to Arran, as different island communities face very different challenges."

The survey follows on from consultations held on islands in 2019 and will provide baseline data for the thirteen objectives of the National Islands Plan. It will enable the impact of the plan to be measured consistently across island communities in future years.

The survey is available in English and Gaelic and recipients have the choice to complete it on paper, online or by phone.

Press and media enquiries: 

Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, James Hutton Institute, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile).


Printed from /news/views-wanted-economic-development-and-quality-life-scotland%E2%80%99s-islands on 28/03/24 11:28:44 AM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.