The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16901, in the name of Jamie Halcro Johnston, on Scotland’s islands. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the social and economic importance and contribution of Scotland’s islands, their residents and their businesses; further recognises what it considers are the challenges of living on and running a business on islands and delivering public services to island communities, but believes that islanders, including many from across the Highlands and Islands region, have remarkable entrepreneurship that has fostered advancements in a varied portfolio of sectors, including distilling, manufacturing, space exploration and a growing number of micro and social enterprises; values the distinctive and often unique cultural contribution of the islands to Scotland, the rest of the UK and the world; believes that island communities provide many opportunities, but notes concerns that they can face many unique challenges, including the threat of depopulation, without the provision of adequate housing, healthcare, transport links and connectivity.
18:34
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a partner in a farming business in Orkney. I thank everybody who signed my motion, and I welcome all those in the public gallery—many of whom live and work in Scotland’s islands—who represent island businesses across a variety of sectors, both in traditional areas and in newer technologies.
When I was young and at university in England, my friends used to ask me what living on a Scottish island was like. “Do you have roads?”, they asked. Well, yes. “Do you have supermarkets?” Yes, of course we do. “Do you have electricity?” Well, most of the time. Without social media, misconceptions about our islands were perhaps more understandable then, but some remain today among the wider public and those in public life, That includes some politicians, who do not always fully comprehend some of the challenges of island life.
Today, I will take members on a journey to Scotland’s island communities, which are scattered across the North Sea, the Atlantic and other areas. From Orkney and Shetland in the north to the Hebrides and Arran further south, and many more, these islands are more than just postcard scenery. They represent vibrant communities with unique economies and stubborn challenges, and some truly inspiring things are happening in those communities right now.
Scotland’s inhabited islands, which are home to just over 100,000 people, rely on a mix of traditional and emerging industries. Fishing and farming have long been the backbone of many islands. In Shetland, where I was last week, the fishing fleet hauls in millions of pounds-worth of catch every year, while in Orkney, where I will be next week, our beef and lamb are prized across the United Kingdom. I say “our” because I am proud to be part of Orkney’s farming community, which puts such brilliant produce on tables across the country.
The food and drink sector and the tourism sector are still big players. Distilleries on Islay, Jura and Raasay, to name but a few, produce whisky that is exported around the world and draws visitors globally. There are the wonders of Skara Brae in Orkney; the Callanish stones on Lewis and the Jarlshof in Shetland, which are world-renowned sites. Those traditional industries do not just keep the lights on; they are the lifeblood of island identity and a vital part of our island economies.
However—if members will excuse the pun—it is not all plain sailing. The challenges are real and they hit hard. Lack of connectivity is a perennial headache. Ferries are lifelines for our island communities, but ageing fleets, with many vessels in urgent need of replacement, have led to increased unreliability and amended schedules. That is most devastating on the Caledonian MacBrayne network, which serves the west coast. It is sometimes hard to really bring home to people who do not live on the islands the fact that delays and cancellations are not just inconvenient; they disrupt supply chains, healthcare access and local businesses.
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston not just for taking my intervention but for securing the debate and for the work that he has been doing in the cross-party group on islands. He made the point about the importance of Orkney, Shetland and islands on the west coast to our food and drink, energy and tourism sectors. That suggests that any investments that are made, including those in transport and digital infrastructure, are about allowing not only our islands to fulfil their potential but Scotland to fulfil its potential. It is not about subsidising islands; it is about releasing their potential so that the country as a whole can fulfil its potential.
I could not agree more with Liam McArthur. That point came up in the round-table sessions that we held in the Parliament today. Islands do not need handouts. They want to be supported in being given the opportunities to find a lot of the solutions and in making a massive contribution, as they already do, to Scotland’s wider economy. That is a really important point.
To return to the challenges, I note that there is also the threat of depopulation. Young people often leave for education or jobs on the mainland and do not come back, or they cannot come back because there are no homes available for them to move into. That can leave behind ageing communities, without the people who are needed to provide care for the ageing population. In Barra, for example, the population has shrunk by a third since the 1980s. If we add to that the high cost of living, fuel and food, as well as house prices, which are higher than they are in urban Scotland, we have a recipe for resilience being tested daily. Climate change looms large, too. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying areas such as parts of the Outer Hebrides, where storms batter infrastructure.
However, those challenges are not the whole story, because Scotland’s islands are fighting back, and they are doing so with an ingenuity that is—to be frank—-astonishing.
Let us talk about the amazing things that are happening. Renewable energy is a game changer. Orkney has become a global pioneer in green tech. Its tidal and wind projects generate more electricity than the islands can use, so surplus is exported to the mainland. The European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney is testing various wave and tidal devices that could power the world some day. The ReFLEX project has looked at how to better use renewable energy to link what is produced with demand, working to ensure more efficient use of energy and less waste.
However, Shetland is even more remarkable than that, because—again, I hope that members will excuse the pun—it is boldly going where no Scottish island has gone before. When I visited the proposed site of the SaxaVord spaceport, a year or so after I became an MSP, it was hard to picture it as anything more than a good place to keep sheep. However, the site on Unst now hosts the first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport in Europe, which is designed for small rockets to deliver payloads into low earth orbit. I did not want to overuse “Star Trek” references, but I am going to: Scotland’s islands are pioneers in conquering space—the final frontier.
The islands also produce innovations in our food and drink sector. Arran’s craft gin and Harris’s tweed and gin combo are turning heritage into profit. As far as culture is concerned, the islands punch well above their weight. Shetland’s Up Helly Aa fire festival draws thousands of people each year, while Gaelic music from the Hebrides will echo worldwide when the Western Isles hosts the Mòd in 2027. Skye is home to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college. The island is also where Ciorstaidh Beaton, who was judged musician of the year at the 2024 Trad music awards, hails from. Members who come to this evening’s islands showcase event after the debate will be able to hear Ciorstaidh play her harp.
Our islands produce amazing sportspeople, too. For modesty reasons, I will not highlight my own sporting successes—[Interruption.]—nor those of my fellow Orcadians Liam McArthur and Neil Gray, both of whom are laughing. However, my ancestor played for Scotland in one of the first rugby internationals, while Shetland hosted the island games in 2005. Orkney will host the same games in July, in only 100 days’ time, when it will welcome athletes from island communities across the world.
More generally, Scotland’s islanders have left these shores to explore the world. They include John Rae—a notable explorer, but one who has been much overshadowed, unfortunately. Many others have left Scotland—not always through choice, of course. Some of their descendants have reached remarkable heights. I understand that one such descendant has quite a big job in American politics at the moment, although today is perhaps not the best day to be hailing those connections.
However, that highlights that what ties all that together is the people. Island communities are tight knit and fiercely proud. They are not waiting for handouts; they are building solutions. Scotland’s islands have an entrepreneurial spirit, with a can-do attitude that is often breathtaking.
Scotland’s islands are a paradox: they are small in size, but their achievements and their potential for future success are massive. Their economies blend old and new, their challenges demand action, and their innovations light the way forward. They remind us that, even on the edges of a nation, big things can happen. Let us celebrate them, support them and learn from them.
We move to the open debate. I advise members that, given the late start to the debate, I expect everyone to stick to their agreed speaking time of up to four minutes.
18:42
I congratulate Jamie Halcro Johnston on securing the debate and sponsoring this evening’s islands showcase event.
I am privileged to represent three inhabited islands. Arran’s stunning scenery, with its mountains, forests, waterfalls and beaches, and its unique geology have led to its being dubbed “Scotland in miniature”. Across Lamlash Bay, Holy Isle has a spiritual heritage dating from the 6th century and is now owned by a Tibetan Buddhist community. Last but not least is Cumbrae, on which lies Millport, which has consistently been named one of Scotland’s most charming towns. Arran’s and Cumbrae’s natural beauty, abundant outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage draw in many thousands of visitors each year. However, our islands are far more than picturesque landscapes and visit destinations. They host unique and vibrant communities that embody a strong sense of togetherness, where people grow up, grow old and build their lives.
That is not without its challenges, though. We need real improvements in lifeline ferry services. Arran and Cumbrae are more integrated with the mainland than many other islands are, but that is rarely recognised as it should be. For example, free interisland ferry travel was introduced for young people in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, but not in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute or the Highlands. For young islanders travelling from Brodick to Ardrossan, Millport to Largs and Iona to Mull, ferry routes are more akin to mainland bus ones, and such travel takes place wholly within their respective council areas. There is no fairness in only partially rolling out that policy.
On vessel deployment, there have been instances this year of the MV Glen Sannox being the sole vessel serving Arran from Ayrshire. As the ship cannot yet sail from Ardrossan, it sails from Troon, turning what should be a 55-minute journey into one lasting 80 minutes and reducing the number of possible return trips per day from five to three. Troon harbour’s facilities are as poor as its accessibility. It is difficult for islanders and day trippers to travel to that part of the mainland and back in one day for appointments or a meaningful visit. The people of Arran look forward to the return of the MV Caledonian Isles and the restoration of services from Ardrossan, which it is hoped will happen later this month. Ardrossan’s harbour is far superior to Troon’s, not least for its public transport links, and local communities need certainty over Ardrossan harbour's long-term future.
Although I very much welcomed the cabinet secretary’s announcement, made 43 days ago, that the Scottish Government will work to bring the port into public ownership, we need to see results sooner rather than later. So far, we have no indication of when the seemingly open-ended discussions with Peel Ports will conclude or who is negotiating on behalf of the Government. I trust that the minister will advise members of that in his summing-up speech.
Although the journey time from Cumbrae to Largs is only 10 minutes, the island is only one engine fault away from hours-long queues. The delivery of seven new small vessels through phase 1 of the small vessel replacement programme will benefit the island through the cascading of existing ferries, with a new vessel for Cumbrae expected thereafter. An update on that would be appreciated.
Despite the challenges, our islands are home to remarkable innovation and ambition, with businesses, social enterprises and volunteers leading the way. Distilleries in Lochranza and Lagg produce whiskies that are celebrated internationally. Arran Dairies ice cream and Taste of Arran are high-quality produce brands that are recognised from Brodick to Houston, Texas. Auchrannie is a testament to the success of community-focused business models. As Scotland’s first employee-owned resort, it provides an exceptional service while ensuring that its success is shared with the local community.
Arran Development Trust is building—and has almost completed—18 affordable homes, with a £1,512,000 grant from the Scottish Government. As part of the carbon-neutral islands project, Cumbrae has already delivered substantial results, including a 330 per cent increase in rooftop solar energy generating capacity and £600,000 in energy efficiencies. Cumbrae Community Development Company continues to enhance the island’s appeal through community-driven projects such as the regeneration of Millport town hall. Its efforts are focused on improving local amenities and creating vibrant spaces that benefit both residents and visitors.
Scotland’s islands have an incredible amount to offer. It is no surprise that they are consistently identified as being among our happiest communities and the best places in which to grow old or raise children. Their strong community bonds and stunning natural environments create an unparalleled quality of life. By supporting such communities, we can ensure that future generations of islanders can continue to thrive, thereby preserving the unique heritage and spirit of our islands for years and years to come.
18:46
It is a pleasure to speak in the debate. I congratulate Jamie Halcro Johnston on securing it and the way in which he has opened it, the work that he has done in the lead-up to today and the round-table meetings that were held this afternoon. I expect that the reception that the Parliament will host later this evening will be very successful. I welcome to the gallery members of the public who have come from Scotland’s various islands to hear their Parliament discuss issues that are important to them.
It is my privilege, as a member for the Highlands and Islands, to represent so many island communities. Ahead of the debate, I was reflecting on some of the highlights that I have experienced as I have gone around the islands that I represent. Up in Lerwick, in Shetland, I met skippers from our pelagic fleet and heard about the challenges that they face, but also about their opportunities. I have seen the amazing, world-leading marine energy technologies that are being developed in Orkney. Although a taxi driver in the Western Isles abused me about a decision that I had given in an old firm match, I was pleased that my notoriety as a referee had reached the islands from the pitches in Glasgow. Everywhere you go in the Highlands and Islands, even when you are being criticised for something, you will always get a friendly and welcome reception.
However, it is important that we consider the challenges that islands face. Kenny Gibson was right to mention the problems with ferry services in his constituency, which are often raised with those of us who represent the Highlands and Islands. Jamie Halcro Johnston touched on depopulation, which I am sure the minister will mention, too. I was looking at National Records for Scotland data that shows that more than one in 10 residents of the Orkney islands of North Ronaldsay, Sanday and Stronsay, which together make up one data zone, left there between 2010 and 2015. Meanwhile, the proportion of residents in the islands who were aged 65 or older grew at twice the rate of those aged 16 and under. Not only are people leaving the islands; those who remain tend to be older. We are not getting enough younger people to come to the islands, but they are vital to ensuring that we can keep those places vibrant and, in turn, encourage more young people and families to come to them.
My family is a big fan of the television programme “This Farming Life”. We are watching the current series, which features a family from up in Papa Westray, who have their own challenges. The mother had to leave the island, with her family, to give birth to her fourth child. That programme is helpful in that it shows the amazing benefits of living in our more remote and rural island communities. We should be very proud of them, and we should promote them more.
Jamie Halcro Johnston mentioned the spaceport. To anyone else, it would be almost incredible to suggest that a spaceport is being built in the most northerly part of the most northerly isles in Scotland, but that area has really taken on board the benefits of the spaceport. It could be leading not only for Scotland and the rest of the UK but for that type of satellite across Europe and around the world.
There is so much that we could say about our island communities and what they offer to Scotland. This debate is a great opportunity and, along with the round-table meetings that Jamie Halcro Johnston and other MSPs have been hosting, it should feed into what the Government will, I hope, continue to do to promote island communities.
However, Scotland is about not only what happens here in the capital or in our major cities; Scotland is the sum of all its parts, and our islands play a crucial part in what we are famous for, what we are regarded for and what we benefit from in relation to how we can draw people in from across the world. Our islands punch well above their weight. We should celebrate them, as we are doing in the chamber now and as we will do at tonight’s reception in the Parliament, but we should not do so only on occasions like this. We should celebrate them all year round and give them our support to ensure that they can continue to thrive well into the future.
18:51
I, too, thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for securing the debate. I also thank him and the islands cross-party group for organising the islands showcase event in Parliament today. I pay tribute to all those who attended that, many of whom are in the gallery. It was a pleasure to meet them and to be part of the day.
Our islands are special places and island living is unique. People have to be resilient to be able to live their lives buffeted by weather and transport restrictions. They need to take those inconveniences in their stride—which I had to learn when I was first elected to represent most of Scotland’s populated islands. I remember that I spent more time flying over Shetland before I ever landed there. Thereafter, I experienced countless flight and ferry cancellations, which are a common occurrence for our islanders.
In the early days, that was stressful. I had arranged meetings, and the people who I was due to meet were being inconvenienced, because I had not shown up. However, I soon realised that I did not need to worry, as islanders are used to that. They are flexible and resilient, and they live in strong interdependent communities. Every day involves collaborating and co-operating with others to get things done.
In recent years, the ageing Clyde and Hebrides ferry fleet has left communities abandoned. I had a case recently of a mother who was unable to get her children on a ferry when the youngest needed to attend a hospital appointment. CalMac’s response was that there was no question of mother and child missing the appointment, as they were both booked on the ferry. However, that begged the question of what was going to happen to the other three children, in their mother’s absence for a number of days. That is simply not good enough. The community in Barra is now looking for legal advice on lifeline services and whether the inability to travel is, indeed, illegal.
Many of our islands suffer depopulation, which is little wonder, if the Government does not provide lifeline services that are fit for purpose. Connectivity, in every sense, is essential. Although the roll-out of broadband continues, smaller communities—many on islands—are being left behind. I previously asked the Scottish Government to allow such communities to use the voucher scheme collectively, along with support from local authorities, but that was rejected. We simply cannot leave people to depend on satellite broadband because, although quality and speed are improving, it is much more expensive, and there is no choice in providers.
In addition to those issues, islands suffer the highest rates of fuel poverty because they are off the gas grid. Draughty old croft houses are hard to heat and need to be upgraded. That would cut fuel bills, as well as making them compatible with more renewable heating alternatives. Sadly, however, approved contractors are few and far between locally, as accreditation takes place in urban areas. The cost of sending staff on courses for that purpose is prohibitive, and hence small local companies cannot carry out the work even if it is grant aided. That cuts out local companies, but it also substantially increases the cost of insulation, as people have to use a travelling workforce to the islands.
Those issues are not difficult to address, but it will take a shift in mindset, from that of a simple tick-box exercise and thinking that the market will provide, to one that understands island communities and works with them to find solutions. I hope that those who represented island communities here today found the event helpful, and that it opens up channels of communication that allow policy makers to have a greater understanding of island life, and islanders to have more influence on policy.
Ariane Burgess joins us remotely.
18:55
I thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for securing this debate. I am sorry that I could not be in Parliament today for the round-table event and tonight’s wonderful celebrations.
It is often said that Scotland is an island nation, but it is not. It is a nation of islands—790 to be exact, some supporting populations of 21,000 and others with as few as seven people. Then there is, of course, the uninhabited majority, which are home to vital ecosystems made up of Scotland’s flora and fauna. Not only do the islands offer invaluable glimpses into our past, with sites such as Skara Brae in Orkney showing that the history of people in Scotland stretches back at least 5,000 years, but they show us what our future can be, for both our islands and those living on the mainland.
The islands show us that we can all live in ways that work with, rather than against, nature, and in ways that offer a constructive community and cultural identity and a true sense of place and belonging, which can sometimes be lacking in other parts of Scotland. I have been lucky enough to see that for myself, be that at Aird Fada seaweed farm on Mull, which is a community-owned project that produces foodstuffs as well as non-plastic packaging, and offers career opportunities to young people; or Hope Cohousing in Orkney, which is a community-led initiative that has shown a great deal of heart in its bid to build a supportive community for island elders.
All of that brings me to the motion that we are discussing today. I share both the pride and the concern contained within it, but I must say that there are two common threads that it does not mention, both of which underpin the unique challenges facing islanders. Those are the climate crisis—which I was glad to hear Jamie Halcro Johnston mention in his contribution—and the human rights crisis.
Our rapidly changing climate is a major barrier for island economies. To take just one example, more frequent bad weather is one of the biggest reasons why the ferries do not run on time. When they are not running as they should be, islanders are stuck away from home and left out of pocket; fresh food and other vital goods do not arrive; and business supply chains are thrown into disarray. Although we cannot solve the climate crisis overnight, we can end the near daily human rights injustices that islanders have to put up with—whether that is lack of affordable housing or having to live in damp and mouldy homes, poor access to the internet, or overtourism hoovering up vital resources such as food and accommodation.
To solve those issues, I would like the Scottish Government to properly invest in our island communities; to pursue net zero through continuing to support the carbon neutral islands initiative and rolling out its findings to other islands; to design services for islands and communities first; and to put human rights front and centre in its island-related policies.
Islanders must be able to feel that their communities and culturally valuable identities are secure, that they can afford the cost of living, access decent jobs that support people to work with, rather than against, nature, and get good education for their kids. They must also know that the Scottish Government is doing everything that it can to tackle the climate emergency. As I have said in the chamber before, if we can get it right for islanders, we can get it right for everyone in Scotland.
18:59
I thank the convener of the CPG on islands, Jamie Halcro Johnston, for bringing this important debate to the chamber this evening.
Those of us who live in the islands know of the exciting and challenging activities that happen around us. In the CPG on islands, we are able to learn more about life across all of Scotland’s islands. Today, those islands are being showcased at a round-table event and reception, and in this debate, which is an excellent opportunity to highlight their successes to a wider audience. As deputy convener of the islands CPG, I know that today’s events would not have been possible without the hard work of the secretariat, the exhibitors and those sponsoring travel, and without lots of work behind the scenes. I thank all those involved for making today’s events happen.
There is a resilience and community spirit among those who live in Scotland’s islands. As today’s events highlight, the islands are home to local businesses, innovation and entrepreneurship of all kinds and sizes, forged with passion and island tenaciousness and, in some cases, developed from necessity—the can-do attitude that Jamie Halcro Johnston spoke of.
Space is Shetland’s new frontier. Unst, the UK’s most northerly inhabited island, is host to the SaxaVord spaceport and satellite launch facilities—a vision born of an entrepreneur with steely determination who could see the enormous potential for Unst, for Shetland, for the country and, indeed, for the world. Today’s modern life is impossible without satellites. Think of all that we access on our mobile phones through maps and apps. With growing global interest in the satellite launch market, the spaceport development is in the right place at the right time.
Shetland is also represented at the island showcase by the Community Development Company of Nesting, which supports local communities with a food bank, a gym and a business studio. Shetland Jewellery is a 70-year-old firm that designs and manufactures jewellery locally that is inspired by Shetland’s scenery and heritage. Shetland Aerogenerators is a family-run company that is at the forefront of developing wind farms and energy sites. Its Burradale wind farm is considered to be the most productive wind farm in the world per unit of installed capacity.
Lerwick Port Authority operates Shetland’s principal commercial port, which is built around a natural harbour that has offered shelter to many seafarers over the centuries. It is vital for fish landings, as a hub for North Sea oil activities and, with a deepwater quay, for decommissioning. It can accommodate any size of vessel, from small yachts to cruise ships, bringing in thousands of visitors. What happens in Lerwick harbour is like a barometer of the Shetland economy.
Other MSPs have tonight highlighted exhibitors from their local areas across the island groups. I often come to the chamber and highlight the islands’ economic contribution and how we punch well above our weight. There could be an even greater contribution, with more investment in the islands to support businesses and local communities.
It would be disingenuous not to allude to the challenges that the motion touches on. Island living can be hard and is threatened by depopulation. That is an interconnected and complex issue but one that could be addressed with greater investment in the islands’ infrastructure. Digital connectivity lags behind that in urban areas, and it stifles economic growth and education. Lack of housing, along with unreliable and expensive transport connectivity, deters people from living and working in the islands. In the Faroe Islands, the development of a tunnel network connecting the islands has reversed depopulation. It is no secret that I have been advocating for tunnels for some time, because I see their enormous potential for Shetland.
Scotland’s islands might be off the coast, offshore or even out of sight, but they are a huge part of Scottish life and, like sparkling gems, we must protect and cherish them.
19:03
I congratulate Jamie Halcro Johnston on securing the debate, and I note his comments regarding the islands. As a Highlands and Islands MSP, I would not have expected anything less from him. We all know that our islands are vital for the country. As all speakers so far have highlighted, our islands contribute a great deal to the country and are not short of ambition.
Kenneth Gibson touched on the challenges. I recognise the challenges, particularly with regard to the delay in the delivery of the Glen Sannox, and I whole-heartedly support Kenneth Gibson’s consistent calls, and those of local campaigners and other MSPs, to get the deal with Peel Ports over the line to ensure that the port at Ardrossan gets the investment that it sorely needs. In the debate that I led two weeks ago in the chamber on the Peel Ports conservancy fee proposals for the River Clyde, there was a unified voice throughout the chamber. We all recognise the damage that the proposals would do to the Clyde and that the Harbours Act 1964 should be updated to ensure that the stewardship of our ports and harbours is removed from the private sector.
The updating of the harbours legislation will provide a more joined-up approach, certainly with regard to islands in the west. I do not know about other areas, but colleagues from elsewhere might be able to indicate whether that might improve issues in other parts of the country, including the islands.
At the end, the motion notes concerns that the islands
“can face many unique challenges, including the threat of depopulation, without the provision of adequate housing, healthcare, transport links and connectivity.”
I do not at all disagree with those comments, but I gently remind members that depopulation is not solely an islands issue. The Scottish Government action plan to address depopulation, which was published in February 2024, highlighted that Inverclyde faces the most acute depopulation challenge between 2018 and 2028, at minus 5.1 per cent.
The issue is not new—it has been going on since the early 1980s. In the past, Jamie Halcro Johnston and I have debated what happened to industry in my community. We have rehearsed that before, so I do not need to go into it any further today. However, I genuinely recognise the challenges that islanders, businesses and communities face, and I support the calls to assist the islands as much as possible. I genuinely do not want the same mistakes to be made in relation to island communities as have happened in other parts of Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson touched on the part of the motion that deals with transport links, which I highlighted a moment ago. I will address that head on. The delay in the delivery of vessels has not been positive for our islands—nor, certainly, for the shipyard in my constituency. The workforce of Ferguson Marine has apologised on many occasions. Those workers are also visitors to the islands, so they know how challenging the delays have become. That is not the record that they want to have. Before liquidation in 2014, the record was excellent. The current board and management need to turn the yard back to being efficient. Strong leadership is needed so that the yard—whether in public or private ownership—can build vessels for the future for many years to come.
Jamie Halcro Johnston touched on some of the challenges, but he also touched on the opportunities that our islands now have. He touched on EMEC, which I went to see a number of years ago as part of a parliamentary inquiry and which was a fascinating experience. As members can imagine, EMEC can only grow the economy in Orkney, and I whole-heartedly support it.
I am conscious of time. I again thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for securing the debate, which is important and has certainly been interesting, given in particular some of the contributions from across the parties.
19:07
I genuinely congratulate Jamie Halcro Johnston on enabling the debate, as well as the other members who have taken the time to participate. Scotland’s islands contribute enormously to our society, economy and global reputation.
I have made several visits to island communities since my appointment—most recently, to Lewis, Harris and Skye to talk to crofters and, over the summer of last year, to Islay, Mull and Arran. As a result, I have found an even greater fondness for the band Skipinnish, whose lyrics and musical prowess capture the spirit of the islands, which I had not previously appreciated. That band and others, such as the raucous and hugely entertaining Peat and Diesel, as well as the haunting voice of Julie Fowlis absolutely capture that real sense of belonging—of being at one with the land or the sea, and a sense of community and family. Those things have been apparent and tangible in all my engagements with islanders over the years, whether they were involved in tourism, hospitality, crofting, farming, fishing or the arts and culture. The island sense of community is enviable.
However, there is also an entrepreneurialism that sits comfortably with that island community spirit. Indeed, island economies are built on the mix of innovation and tradition that spawns from all those things—from fishing and crofting to distilling and the arts and, now, opportunities for renewables and space technologies, as has been mentioned by a number of contributors, including Jamie Halcro Johnston at the start of the debate. Many of our island entrepreneurs will attend the showcase event this evening, including those who deal with food and drink, which is a particular passion of mine.
As members have underlined, there is much to celebrate about the economic strengths of our island communities. Still, as members have also heard, it is critical that we to continue to address the challenges that they face. The Scottish Government is committed to doing all that we can to ensure that island enterprises can continue to grow and flourish.
The Government is immensely proud of its islands legislation, which was an unprecedented step forward in acknowledging that our islands merit a bespoke legislative framework. Through the introduction of island communities impact assessments, the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires public authorities to consider the specific circumstances of island communities while carrying out their functions.
In 2019, we published Scotland’s first-ever national islands plan. Many of the commitments included in the plan concern island economic development. In our 2023 islands survey, I was particularly heartened to see a sharp increase in the number of respondents who stated that their business is expanding, which is very encouraging.
I also acknowledge the results of the public consultation that we carried out to review the plan. Respondents told us that it is time for a new and strengthened plan to be put in place—one that places even greater emphasis on delivery and that focuses on measures to accelerate positive change, not least in relation to economic growth. That is what we are working on now, in close partnership with communities and local authorities.
The new plan will reflect the incredibly important role that islands play in Scotland’s transition to a green economy. During his visit to Orkney last February, the First Minister announced a £5 million grant for new harbour facilities at Scapa Flow. We have also invested £33.7 million in the Stornoway deepwater terminal project, which can unlock a substantial pipeline of green energy investments. Those developments must produce tangible benefits to the communities that are hosting them.
Our carbon neutral islands project gives communities a leading role in reducing emissions in a way that is suitable for their circumstances and that creates economic opportunities. We have already invested £5.2 million in the project, and I am pleased that the 2025-26 budget allocates another £2.5 million to its continuation.
Tourism is a critical sector for our island communities, but it remains vulnerable to seasonal variations, travel disruption and unpredictable weather. That is why the non-domestic rates relief of up to 100 per cent for hospitality businesses on islands will continue in 2025, which will result in roughly 100,000 properties being taken out of rates altogether.
Through the rural tourism infrastructure fund, we have invested more than £4 million in island projects since 2018. The 2025-26 budget maintains £4 million of extra funding for island local authorities in lieu of the review of the special islands needs allowance. It also includes £20 million to support Orkney and Shetland interisland connectivity. Another £5.3 million of capital has been allocated to the islands programme, helping the development of critical island infrastructure. We will continue to work with local government partners to deliver the cost crisis emergency fund in support of the most vulnerable island households.
We are investing £50 million in the islands growth deal and £25 million in the recently signed Argyll and Bute rural growth deal. Alongside the UK Government and regional partners, we are supporting economic growth among island communities.
In celebrating the successes of our islands economy, we recognise the enduring importance of our land-based and marine industries. Agriculture accounts for a higher share of businesses, turnover and employment on islands than it does in Scotland as a whole. We are committed to supporting the island crofters and farmers through a range of schemes, including the crofting agricultural grant scheme and croft house grant.
Running an island business, regardless of size and sector, is not without its challenges. Kenneth Gibson and Stuart McMillan both talked about the issues around Ardrossan. I absolutely accept that there are on-going issues, and the cabinet secretary is dealing with them. I also agree with Kenneth Gibson about Auchrannie—my visit there during the summer was absolutely fantastic.
I hope that the decision that Douglas Ross got pulled up for in the Western Isles was the right decision. He also talked about folk leaving the islands, which has been happening for generations. I go back to Skipinnish, who talk about people having left the islands and then being called back home again. I would very much aspire to that as well.
Rhoda Grant talked about fuel poverty, and I agree that it is not acceptable that island communities will host the infrastructure that will create the energy but will then pay some of the highest energy prices in the country.
I apologise for not mentioning other members’ contributions, but I am rapidly running out of time.
Yesterday saw the introduction of free ferry travel for under-22s in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. We also continue to invest in housing. Over the past three years, we have invested £15 million in housing in the Western Isles, delivering more than 180 affordable homes, and £10 million in Orkney, delivering more than 130 homes. In Argyll and Bute, the rural and islands housing fund has invested just under £5 million to deliver 31 affordable homes on Mull, Colonsay, Ulva and Gigha, in addition to projects delivered through the affordable housing supply programme.
It is vital that we continue to act across Government and work across the chamber to ensure that our islands remain economically vibrant. We need to apply an islands lens to our work and be guided by islanders in understanding how best we can support their ambitions.
I conclude by reiterating the Scottish Government’s absolute commitment to support, champion and invest in our islands, and a commitment to the folk who live there.
That concludes the debate.
Meeting closed at 19:15.Air ais
Decision Time