Scottish Islands Survey 2023: main findings report

Executive Summary

The Scottish Islands Survey (2023) responds to a need identified in the National Islands Plan for better evidence concerning life in Scotland’s islands. The first survey – the National Islands Plan Survey (2020) – gathered baseline data relating to the 12 Strategic Objectives of the National Islands Plan. The second survey – the Scottish Islands Survey (2023) – the findings of which are presented in this report, measures improvements and deteriorations in experiences of island life and asks some new questions that have emerged as important in the intervening years.

Method

In November 2023, 20,000 surveys were posted to adult residents of 75 permanently inhabited islands. Respondents could complete the survey by post, telephone or online, in English or Gaelic. A total of 4,358 people responded to the survey from 66 islands, giving a response rate of 22%.^[2] Most people responded by post (93%), some online (7%) and one responded by telephone.

General Observations

As in the 2020 survey, differences in experiences of island life are noted between and within regions, with residents of Orkney and Shetland Mainlands and their connected islands often reporting more positive responses than residents of Orkney and Shetland Outer Islands. Respondents in Shetland Outer Isles have highest satisfaction with the availability and affordability of housing and respondents in the Argyll Islands have lowest, and access to childcare scores very poorly in Orkney Outer Islands compared to Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands. Differences are also noted between age groups; most notably, younger respondents (aged 18 to 35) are least satisfied with their current housing and availability of housing options but more likely to feel they can influence decisions made by community organisations.

Experiences of public transport, housing availability, fuel poverty and sense of community have deteriorated since 2020, while perceptions of internet access and participation in community events have increased. It is important to consider the wider social and economic influences at play during 2020 to 2023. In 2020, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disrupted everyday life; since then, Brexit, challenging public finances, rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis have had widespread impacts on the delivery of and access to a range of services within both households and communities.

Comparisons with the same measures for the whole of Scotland show that islanders have greater access to green and blue outdoor spaces within a short walking distance and have higher attendance at cultural events, but that they are less likely to feel a sense of belonging or to feel comfortable financially.

Population

The survey asked about how long people had lived in their island and their intention to stay. Two in five respondents moved to their island having never lived there before and one in five returned having lived elsewhere. The proportion of first-time movers is especially high in Highland Islands and the proportion of returners is highest in the Uists and Barra.

An overwhelming majority (88%) of respondents say they are likely to stay in their island for the next five years, and intention to stay increases with age.

Since the 2020 survey, a higher proportion of respondents in the youngest age category say they are likely to stay in their island for the next five years (71% in 2020 compared to 79% in 2023).

Sustainable Economic Development

Almost half of respondents who run a business agree that their business is growing. Perceptions of business support vary across the island regions and respondents report that start-up support is more readily available than ongoing support.

Tourism is generally felt to have a positive impact, however the majority of respondents feel that there is not enough provision for tourists and that tourism is not being managed sustainably in their area.

The percentage of islanders who work in more than one paid job or business has increased from 20% in 2020 to 28% in 2023.

Access to childcare scores poorly across all measures and all island regions, with particularly low access reported in the Orkney Outer Islands, where no respondents report that they can access a registered childminder.

Transport

Perceptions of flights and ferries vary substantially between island regions. Just one in five respondents say flights (to and from the mainland as well as inter-island) are reliable and fewer still find flights good value for residents. Satisfaction with ferries is slightly higher but still low: two in five respondents report that ferries are reliable and that they are good value for residents.

Respondents in Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes and Orkney Mainland and Connected Islands are most likely to say it is easy to access essential services using public transport. Shetland Outer Islanders are least likely to agree.

Respondents find it difficult to access essential services using public transport and this has worsened considerably since 2020.

Housing

Eight in ten respondents are satisfied with their current housing, however the availability of housing to meet local demand is reportedly low in all island regions, and self-build is not considered a viable option for home ownership.

Younger respondents are least satisfied with their current housing and availability of housing options in their area.

Respondents in the Argyll Islands report particularly low satisfaction with most housing indicators.

Satisfaction with housing availability and affordability has decreased since 2020. In 2023, 10% of respondents said that there was enough housing to meet local demand, down from 19% in 2020.

Fuel Poverty and Cost of Living

Most respondents say that they and their household are managing very well, quite well or getting by alright financially. However, more than one fifth of respondents are concerned about paying for a range of everyday items in the next two to three months, such as household repairs and groceries, while one in ten are concerned about credit card repayments and paying the mortgage/rent. Paying for heating and hot water is a particular concern.

In 2023, a higher proportion of respondents said their home sometimes feels uncomfortably cold in the winter (45% in 2023 compared to 35% in 2020).

Digital Connectivity

Digital connectivity varies a great deal across the island regions. Residents of Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands are most satisfied with the speed of their internet connection while residents of Shetland Outer Islands are least satisfied. Mobile coverage is also uneven, with differences between Orkney Mainland and Connected Islands (relatively high satisfaction) and Orkney Outer Islands (low satisfaction).

The majority of respondents – particularly older respondents – think it is important to have an active landline.

The percentage of respondents whose internet connection at home is fast enough to do what they (and their household) want online has increased from 65% in 2020 to 68% in 2023.

Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

Around one third of respondents report having a physical or mental health condition. A similar proportion report that a member of their household provides regular support for someone with a long-term disability or problems related to old age. Mental wellbeing differs by age: older respondents have higher wellbeing scores than younger respondents.

Overall, islanders have access to places where they can take part in sports and exercise. Respondents in the Argyll Islands are less likely to agree about the accessibility, quality and affordability of such facilities, while respondents in Lewis and Harris are most likely to agree that they are affordable and value for money. The percentage of respondents who say that sports facilities are affordable has fallen from 59% in 2020 to 47% in 2023.

Most islanders say they have access to a wide range of fruit and vegetables, and over 90% of respondents in Orkney Mainland and Connected Islands say they have access to locally produced food and drink.

Environmental Wellbeing and Climate Change

Islanders are generally positive about their local environment.

Almost half of all respondents have installed additional home insulation and 14% have installed a heat pump. Home energy improvements are most common among respondents in Orkney.

The percentage of respondents who agree that it is easy to dispose of bulky household waste has decreased from 48% in 2020 to 45% in 2023.

Empowering Communities

Respondents, particularly young respondents, feel more empowered when it comes to influencing community organisations than national and regional organisations (such as local authorities and health boards), although this sense of influence varies by island region. Perception of influence over community organisations is particularly high in Orkney Outer Islands, Highland Islands and Shetland Outer Islands and lowest in Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes.

Sense of community also varies. Most notably, four in five respondents in Shetland Outer Islands agree there is a sense of community, compared to three in five in Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands.

The overall percentage of respondents who feel there is a sense of community in their local area has decreased from 69% in 2020 to 62% in 2023.

Arts, Culture and Language

Islanders participate in a wide range of social and cultural activities, albeit participation is slightly lower among older islanders. The most popular activities for islanders are going to a pub, bar or club and attending community social events.

Around half of respondents in Na h-Eileanan Siar can speak Gaelic (a higher proportion can understand it). Orkney and Shetland dialects are spoken more widely among younger islanders than older islanders, and almost three quarters of Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands residents can speak Shetland dialect.

Since 2020, the percentage of respondents who say that they go to community social events at least once a year has increased from 46% to 64%^[3].

Education

Perceptions of access to good quality education for island children vary between island regions and drop off in some island regions between primary and secondary school. Residents of the Uists and Barra are least likely to report that children have access to good quality secondary education, while residents of Shetland (Mainland and Connected Islands, as well as the Outer Islands) are most likely to agree with this measure.

Perceptions of access to tertiary education vary considerably by region with more positive reports in Lewis and Harris, Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands and Orkney Mainland and Connected Islands.

The percentage of respondents who say they could do a university degree in a subject of their choice while living in their island has decreased from 54% in 2020 to 43% in 2023.

Comparisons over time and with the rest of Scotland

The analysis of the Scottish Islands Survey (2023) is based on 394 variables produced from the survey questions. 117 of these are comparable to responses to the National Islands Plan Survey (2020). Of the comparable findings, 15% (18) have improved, 23% (27) have stayed the same and 62% (72) have declined since 2020. A full set of comparisons between the 2020 and 2023 survey findings is provided in Annex 6 and is explored further in a spotlight report.

In addition, Annex 7 compares the 2023 survey findings with data for the rest of Scotland (or, where available, data from the Highlands and Islands), to set islanders’ responses within a wider context. Of the 21 comparable findings, 9 measures are better in the islands, one shows no difference and 11 measures are worse in the islands than in Scotland as a whole.

Throughout this report, one comparison between 2020 and 2023 survey findings is provided for each section as an indication of how perceptions relating to that aspect of island life have changed over time. Where comparisons between 2020 and 2023 are provided in this report, these have been selected based on: the robustness of the comparison (which may be affected, for example, by changes in question wording or in who was asked to answer the question); tests of significant difference between the two datasets ; the extent of any change between 2020 and 2023; and the importance of the indicator for the given section of the report. Where available, a Scotland-wide (or Highlands and Islands-wide) comparison is also provided for each section. These are summarised in Table A, which indicates whether the comparisons are positive or negative.

Perceived improvements since 2020 include:

• More young people intend to stay in their island.
• Satisfaction with internet speeds is higher.
• Attendance at community social events has increased.

Perceived deteriorations since 2020 include:

• More islanders work in more than one job.
• It is less easy to access essential services by public transport.
• Housing availability is poorer.
• More people are finding that their homes are uncomfortably cold in the winter.
• Sports facilities are less affordable.
• It is less easy to dispose of bulky waste.
• Fewer people feel there is a sense of community in their local area.
• Fewer people feel they could do a university degree of their choice while living in their island.

Aspects that score higher in the islands than elsewhere:

• Islanders are more likely to have green or blue outdoor space within a 5-minute walk than residents of Scotland as a whole.
• Far more islanders participate in culturally specific festivals than residents of Scotland as a whole.

Aspects that score lower in the islands than elsewhere:

• Use of local bus services is lower in the islands than in Scotland as a whole.
• Islanders are less likely to be satisfied with their current housing than residents of the Highlands and Islands as a whole.
• Islanders are less likely to be managing financially than residents of Scotland as a whole.
• Similar levels of internet access in the islands and in Scotland as a whole.
• Mental wellbeing score is slightly lower in islands than in Scotland as a whole (22.5 compared to 23.8).
• Sense of belonging is lower among islanders than among residents of Scotland as a whole.
• Islanders with children are less satisfied with the quality of primary and secondary school education than service users of local schools across Scotland.