Islanders Urged to Shape Future Policy in National Survey
Residents on Arran and Cumbrae are invited to share their experiences to influence investment and policy for Scotland's island communities.
By Kirsty Lennox
••2 min read
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Generic image of a Scottish island village with a road and dramatic sky.
Residents on the Scottish islands of Arran and Cumbrae are being urged to participate in the latest Scottish Islands Survey, a national initiative designed to gather views on key issues affecting island life.
The survey, promoted by Islands Minister Jim Fairlie during a recent visit to Arran, seeks feedback from islanders on topics including housing, transport, healthcare, access to services, and the cost of living. Approximately 20,000 households across Scotland’s island communities have been randomly selected to take part.
The feedback gathered will provide crucial evidence to inform decision-making and support the delivery of the National Islands Plan. The survey is being conducted by Ipsos Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
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"Our islands are a huge asset and we are lucky to have two such popular and beautiful ones here in North Ayrshire. Visiting them and living on them are two very different things and we are acutely aware that living on an island poses unique challenges that only those who encounter can fully understand. That’s why this survey is so important. If you have been invited to take part, please get involved and share your experiences and views. The feedback gathered will help influence future policies and investment, ensuring they reflect the realities of island life."
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"The Scottish Islands Survey is a national listening exercise that allows our island communities to share their views and ambitions directly with us. Only islanders can give us the full picture on what it is really like to live, work and access services in Scotland’s islands. I want to encourage everyone who has been invited to take part to complete the survey and help shape future priorities."
The initiative is supported by the Scottish Islands Federation, whose Chair, Luke Fraser, highlighted the diversity of Scotland's islands and the importance of the survey for ensuring islanders' voices are heard. Chris Martin, Research Director at Ipsos Scotland, also emphasised that islanders' local knowledge is vital for informing future decisions.
Residents who receive an invitation are strongly encouraged to complete the survey, ensuring that the experiences of those on Arran, Cumbrae, and other island communities are central to future policy and investment strategies.
