Rural services

The latest Scottish Islands Survey (2023) has been published.

The survey gathered views about different aspects of island life from Scottish island residents. The results contribute to measuring progress towards the objectives set out in the National Islands Plan (2019).

A focused strategy has been launched to place Scotland at the forefront of the net zero economy, with targeted actions to secure growth and investment.

Delivered as part of the Programme for Government, the Green Industrial Strategy sets out five priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated. These are:

The Scottish government is launching a new ‘planning hub’ to help boost development and green energy opportunities across the country by providing specialist expertise.

Dr Jane Atterton, Senior Lecturer, Rural Economy Environment And Society, Rural Policy Centre and Senior Lecturer, Scotland's Rural College recently attended a webinar on rural proofing, organised by Horizon Europe funded projects working on the RUSTIK* and GRANULAR** projects.

Nearly 1 in 3 people in the UK find it difficult to use online services. Reasons for this include: poor internet access, not feeling confident using technology, having dyslexia, or low or no vision.

The newly refurbished Carloway Community Centre was officially opened last week (29th of August) by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, who joined Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant of the Western Isles, for a tour of the upgraded facilities on the Isle of Lewis.

An independent evaluation of a project based in Shetland that aims to tackle child poverty has been published.

The Scottish Government have published a ‘Factsheet’ which sets out the advantages for Scotland of a comprehensive veterinary and SPS agreement, the background, what will be required and how we can work together to achieve it. 

As the UK Government announces its intention to appoint a National Resilience Wildfire Adviser - it is of significance that leading lights from the world of wildfire have been announced as speakers at this year’s UK Wildfire Conference to be held in Aberdeen.