20,000 households asked to give views on what life is like living on a Scottish island
Islanders will be asked questions about housing, transport, healthcare and the cost of living.
Island residents have been asked to share their views on their experience of living, working and accessing services on Scotland’s islands.
The Scottish Government-led survey has been designed to help shape policies and investment aimed at improving services for residents living on islands.
The latest Scottish Islands Survey was promoted by Islands Minister Jim Fairlie during a visit to Arran.
It includes asking some 20,000 households, which have been randomly selected from across all island regions, to answer questions about housing, transport, healthcare and the cost of living.
The survey comes as figures show ministers failed to replace almost every ferry earmarked for renewal under a 14-year-old Scottish Government plan — despite the final deadline passing last year.
It has been reported that 11 of the 12 vessels identified for replacement in the 2013–2022 Ferries Plan put in place by Transport Scotland remain in CalMac’s permanent fleet, more than a decade after the programme was published. It has been widely reported that the breakdowns and faults with the ageing fleet has been a longstanding battle for islanders. Ferry services are a vital link for some communities when it comes to accessing vital services including healthcare and education.
Mr Fairlie said the survey is about the Scottish Government obtaining a better understanding of what island communities need in order to shape policy.
“The Scottish Islands Survey is a national listening exercise that allows our island communities to share their views and ambitions directly with us,” he said.
“It provides island-specific data to inform and monitor our policies, not least the implementation of our new National Islands Plan (NIP).”
The latest NIP was published earlier this year. The plan sets out 13 objectives to improve the lives of residents, prevent depopulation and improve local economies.
“Continuing to listen to our island communities is vital to ensuring that we respond to their priorities and needs, in line with our vision of strengthening long-term resilience and prosperity across island areas,” Mr Fairlie said.
“Only islanders can give us the full picture on what it is really like to live, work and access services in Scotland's islands. I am determined to not just listen but hear their voice.
“I want to encourage all islanders to complete the survey questionnaire if they have been selected, ensuring future decisions are based on their direct experiences and helping set the priorities we need to focus on going forward.”
Luke Fraser, chairman of the Scottish Islands Federation, a member-driven network that represents the community-led interests of Scotland's inhabited islands, welcomed the survey.
He said: “Scotland’s islands are diverse, with each community facing its own challenges and opportunities. The Scottish Islands Survey is an important opportunity to capture these different experiences and ensure that the voices of islanders help shape future decisions that will impact our islands and their long-term sustainability.
“We encourage those invited to take part and hope the findings will lead to policies and investment that make a real difference to island communities.”
The Scottish Islands Survey is being carried out by independent survey agency Ipsos on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The survey is open to individuals aged 18 and over and up to two individuals per household can take part. It is the third iteration of the Scottish Islands Survey, after similar exercises were carried out in 2020 and 2023. Results for this year’s will come out in 2027.
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