Scottish Islands Typology: overview 2024

Footnotes

1 Inchfad (Loch Lomond), Inchmurrin (Loch Lomond), Inchtavannach (Loch Lomond); Innis Chonan (Loch Awe); Moncreiffe Island (River Tay).

2 Direct, scheduled flight connections to mainland Scotland are available from Islay, Colonsay, Tiree, Coll, Barra, Benbecula, Lewis and Harris, Mainland Shetland, and Mainland Orkney. Service levels across these routes varies.

3 Timetables for services operating between islands and mainland Scotland provided by CalMac Ferries, North Link Ferries, Pentland Ferries, and Argyll and Bute Council were used.

4 Comprising Burray, Lamb Holm, Mainland Orkney, and South Ronaldsay

5 Mainland Orkney & Connected Isles also benefits from having direct flights to mainland Scotland, however these are not routinely used for the movement of freight such as groceries, fuel, and building materials.

6 Oban High Schiool / Àrd-sgoil an Òbain: Glenruitten Hostel

7 See accompanying Excel data sheet.

8 While it is noted that all of the islands in this category also have direct flights to mainland Scotland, the provision of these varies and flights are not routinely used for the movement of freight such as groceries, fuel and building materials.

9 Comprising Great Bernera, Lewis and Harris, Scalpay,

10 Comprising East Burra, Mainland Shetland, Muckle Roe, Trondra, and West Burra

11 Comprising Baleshare, Benbecula, Berneray, Eriskay, Flodaigh, Grimsay (N), Grimsay (S), North Uist, and South Uist.

12 While Barra & Vatersay and Tiree also have airports offering direct flights to mainland Scotland, the provision of these varies and flights are not routinely used for the movement of freight such as groceries, fuel and building materials.

13 Oban High Schiool / Àrd-sgoil an Òbain: Glenruitten Hostel

14 Scottish Government’s Urban Rural 6-fold classification

15 Although the small airports in Coll and Colonsay do offer direct flights to mainland Scotland, the capacity and frequency of these services is limited and flights are not routinely used for the movement of freight such as groceries, fuel and building materials.

16 Comprising Housay and Bruray.

17 Scottish Government’s Urban Rural 6-fold classification

18 Population figures released from the 2022 census for Argyll and Bute Council, Highland Council, and North Ayrshire Council do not distinguish between islands and mainland areas of these local authorities at the time of writing.

19 Scotland's Census 2022 - Rounded population estimates

20 Lewis and Harris, Great Bernera and Scalpay; Orkney Outer Islands; and Shetland Mainland and Connected Islands have also seen population decline in the 15-25 age group.

21 https://www.gov.scot/publications/equality-fairer-scotland-budget-statement-2024-2025/pages/17/

22 Figures based on Subnational Population Projections from the National Records of Scotland using the RESAS classification for local authorities.

23 For more information on the range of cover in this area on each island see accompanying data sheet.

24 Due to travel times to the high school in Tobermory, pupils from outlying areas may choose to board weekly in Oban on the Scottish mainland to access schooling.

25 Scottish Government’s Urban Rural 6-fold classification

26 This chapter excludes Unserviced Islands and Previously Inhabited Islands, as defined by the Scottish Government Scottish Islands Typology (2024).

27 Scottish Government’s Urban Rural 6-fold classification

28 Scottish Government’s Urban Rural 6-fold classification