A new survey commissioned by Salmon Scotland reveals widespread concerns among rural Scots about housing availability, the cost of living, and depopulation.
The poll, conducted by the Diffley Partnership, surveyed over 1,000 residents in the north west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland.
Key findings include:
- Housing and Living Costs: 79% of respondents expressed concern about housing availability, while 90% cited inflation and the rising cost of living as major issues.
- Depopulation: Half of those surveyed were worried about people leaving rural areas for cities, potentially exacerbating the challenges facing local communities.
- Public Services: 56% identified insufficient public transport as a concern.
- Overall Sentiment: 48% felt Scotland is heading in the “wrong direction,” compared to just 26% who believed things are improving.
Scottish salmon, the UK’s largest food export, plays a significant economic role in these regions. Nearly twice as many respondents viewed salmon farming favorably (46%) as those who held unfavorable views (25%).
James Park, head of insights at Salmon Scotland, emphasized the importance of reinvesting locally generated revenues to support rural economies. “Scotland’s rural communities are the backbone of our economy,” Park said. “The money generated in our coastal and island communities should be reinvested locally to ensure that rural Scotland can thrive.”
Salmon Scotland has called for a greater share of the millions of pounds in rent paid by fish farmers to Crown Estate Scotland to be redirected toward supporting local initiatives.
The survey was conducted between October 23 and November 4, 2024, with 1,026 respondents.