Factors Influencing Rural Migration Decisions in Scotland: An Analysis of the Evidence

6 'RETURN' FACTORS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO MOVE BACK INTO RURAL AREAS, HAVING MOVED AWAY

6.1 Several studies note the advantages of attracting return migrants back into rural Scotland. They largely focus on the benefits that this group can bring in terms of boosting rural areas' social and economic sustainability. For example, several studies note the potential that return migrants have for bringing new skills, experience, and human capital into rural areas ^{31, 28, 14, 4, 23, 17}. In addition, one source focuses more on the key personal attributes that can be held by return migrants, stating that they 'appear to possess a range of personal and social resources, they are prepared to leave the security they perceive in their local area in order to confront the challenges - and the possibilities - of personal development the 'outside' world has to offer'¹⁷. Another study comments on this group's potential for readdressing the demographic imbalances present in many rapidly ageing rural populations, stating that its returning respondents tended to be younger than other in-migrants, with 44% under the age of 35 years.

6.2 Despite these advantages, however, the literature suggests that attracting return migrants could be a challenge for policy, as their motivations are often highly personal and subjective. For example, one large-scale survey of 15-30 year olds in the Highlands and Islands highlights that four in five recent returners had moved back to the same rural area they had left ¹⁴, suggesting that their motivations are often highly personal and dependent on subjective factors such as social/family connections and childhood memories. Moreover, although the existence of suitable employment opportunities is still listed a key factor for enabling return migration, return migrants tended to highlight other more personal factors as their main motivations for moving back to rural Scotland. Policy may not, therefore, be able to do much to influence this group in their decisions to return to rural Scotland. However, given the prominence of return migration as well as its potential benefits, it could be important for policy to facilitate (perhaps even incentivise) return migration, and focus on removing any barriers to it. For details of how they could do this, please see Chapter 7 on Suggestions for Policy.

6.3 The main factors identified as encouraging return migration are outlined below.

Young People

The main factors identified as encouraging young people to return to rural areas are as follows:

6.4 Access to appropriate jobs and vocational training, including an awareness of what kinds of employment and training opportunities are available in specific rural areas at a given time. These factors are highlighted by a 2009 survey of 15-30 year olds' views from across the Highlands and Islands region ¹⁷; and by a mixed methods study of migration in the Outer Hebrides (published in 2007), which involved desk based research, interviews with service providers, employers, migrants and other stakeholders, an online survey with current and past residents, focus groups, and scenario planning workshops ⁹.

6.5 Affinity with the local area. This is highlighted by a 2009 survey of young people's views from across the Highlands and Islands, which noted the significance (for some migrants) of one's own identity being tied up with that of the area, and of the ability to identify with other people from the local area ⁹. This point is also noted by a qualitative study examining the views of residents and out-migrants from the Scottish Borders region, which was published in 2000 ¹⁶. The Highlands and Islands study also discovered that 4 out of 5 of the 307 return migrants interviewed (82%) returned to the same area they had left, suggesting that 'both existing connections and affinity with an area are important considerations in any relocation decision' ¹⁴. In addition, this study identified familiarity with the area as another important draw for those in their late teens and early twenties ¹⁴.

6.6 Good contact with people and/or organisationsin rural areas, helping return migrants find suitable employment in their chosen area, and integrate back into the local community. This factor is pinpointed by the 2009 survey of young people's views from across the Highlands and Islands ¹⁴.

6.7 Social and family ties in the local area. The influence of these ties is highlighted by a2001 survey and interview study examining the processes and consequences of migration in North Lewis and Roxburgh; and also by a 2003 survey and focus group study examining 11-16 year olds' views on migration across Scotland ^28,17.

6.8 A perception that those aspects of life in the region which led them to leave have now changed/improved, or have become less important as they reach a new stage in life. This is mentioned by a 2009 survey of young people's views from across the Highlands and Islands; and by a 2007 mixed methods study of migration from/into the Outer Hebrides, which included a literature review, survey with current and past residents, and focus groups 14,9. For example, the Outer Hebrides Migration Study identifies a perception amongst some recent returnees that local facilities had improved and that there were now more leisure facilities aimed specifically at young people. Examples of such new facilities mentioned here include the Lewis Sports centre; Stornoway's An Lanntair (a new arts centre, which includes a cinema and art gallery); the arts and heritage centre of Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist; and the Youth Café in Barra ⁹.

6.9 Local family ties / caring responsibilities. This return motivation is identified by a 2007 qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with Scottish diaspora members currently living in Colorado, America; a 2001 mixed methods study of North Lewis and Roxburgh, involving a literature review, household survey, and in-depth interviews with out-migrants; and by a 2009 survey of young people in the Highlands and Islands ^34,28,14.

6.10 A lack of affordable housing on the nearby mainland. This was mentioned by some migrants returning to the Outer Hebrides, who were surveyed and interviewed as part of a 2007 mixed methods study of migration from and into the Outer Hebrides ⁹.

6.11 A revival in theinterest of the Gaeliclanguage and culture. This was again highlighted by the 2007 mixed methods study of migration from and into the Outer Hebrides, which included a literature review, survey with current and past residents, and focus groups ^14,9.

6.12 An appreciation of the rural lifestyle. Examples include an enjoyment of the outdoor leisure pursuits available, and an appreciation of the easy access to a high quality natural environment. This motivation is identified by a 2003 survey and focus group study examining 11-16 year olds' views on migration across Scotland; and by a 2009 survey of 15-30 year olds' views from across the Highlands and Islands region ^17,14.

People who are Economically Active

The main factors that encourage people who are economically active to return to rural areas are as follows:

6.13 Family ties / family care obligations. This is identified by a 2007 qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with Scottish diaspora members currently living in Colorado, America; a 2001 mixed methods study of North Lewis and Roxburgh, involving a literature review, household survey, and in-depth interviews with out-migrants; and by a 2009 survey of young people in the Highlands and Islands ^34,14,28

6.14 Social ties. This is highlighted by a 2001 mixed methods study of migration in North Lewis and Roxburgh; and by a 2003 mixed methods study, which involved a Scotland-wide survey and focus groups with 11-16 year olds, exploring young people's views on migration ^28,17. Linked to this factor is the strong sense of community identified for some rural areas, which is highlighted by participants in a 2009 survey of young people in the Highlands and Islands, and so may be seen by some as a motivation to return ¹⁷.

6.15 A love of island life. This is identified by a large, mixed methods study of Shetland's population change, published in 2007 ⁸; and by a 2009 survey of young people in the Highlands and Islands ¹⁴.

6.16 The availability of suitable employment opportunities. This is highlighted by a 2006 mixed methods study of migration in/out of Roxburgh and North Lewis (which involved a household survey and in-depth interviews); and by a 2009 survey of young people from the Highlands and Islands ^14,32.

6.17 An affinity with the region, due to personal memories, social/family connections, and a sense of one's own identify being tied up with that of the region. The significance of this motivation is suggested by the fact that four in five recent returners (surveyed in a 2009 study of young people in the Highlands and Islands) moved back to the same rural area that they had left. ¹⁴.

6.18 The desire for a lifestyle change and/or a better work-life balance, often following a life changing event such as being made redundant or starting a family ¹⁴. This factor is highlighted by a 2009 survey of young people living in the Highlands and Islands.

Families

The main factors that encourage families to return to rural areas are as follows:

6.19 Family ties could be particularly important for helping an individual to start their own family. This return motivation is highlighted by a 2007 qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with Scottish diaspora members currently living in Colorado, America; a 2001 mixed methods study of North Lewis and Roxburgh, which involved a literature review, household survey, and in-depth interviews with out-migrants; and by a 2009 survey of young people in the Highlands and Islands ^34,14,28.

6.20 The perception that rural areas are a good place to bring up a family. This was highlighted by respondents who had returned to the Highlands and Islands, as reported by a 2009 survey of young people's views from across the region ¹⁴. Linked to this, another study identifies a desire amongst certain rural residents to raise children in the circumstances that they themselves were raised. This suggests an additional motivation for the return migration of young families to rural Scotland. The study in question was a Scotland-wide survey of 11 to 16 year olds across Scotland, examining their views on rural migration, which was accompanied by several follow-up focus groups with 15-20 year olds from across the country ¹⁷.