Arran may be Scotland’s most southerly-inhabited island but it was not forgotten at the Scottish Islands Network Conference (SIF) last week.
Delegates at the inaugural conference at Craignure Village Hall on the Island of Mull were told to go back to your communities and come up with proposals suited to your islands’ needs.
After two days of debate on how island communities can carve out a sustainable future the common issues were loss of young people, ferry costs, and lack of affordable housing.
One theme dominated proceedings – that sufficient island talent exists to be confident of the future, but that time was of the essence.
Enterprise minister Jim Mather and Highlands and Islands Enterprise chairman Willie Roe pledged their support, the latter unveiling a low carbon island initiative to help Scotland meet tough emission targets.
With cash on the table from Europe and the Scottish government, SIF chair Ian Gillies, from the Isle of Tiree, told delegates to go back to their communities and get down to work in the knowledge they were not alone.
‘The money is going to be there,’ he said. ‘We can make this work, let’s form a compact of Scottish islands and get some real results for these islands and all the issues we are all facing.
‘Let’s take this forward to try to engage with people who have influence over our lives and influence the decisions that are being taken.
‘We are not in decline, we are going forward and we are going to prove that we can go forward with our new federation.’
There were three delegates from Arran at the conference, Councillor Margie Currie, NFUS chairman Liz Robertson and community councillor Alison Prince.
Councillor Currie said: ‘The main aim of the Scottish Islands Network is to promote, publicise and advance the interests of Scotland’s islands.
‘It is important for Arran to get its voice heard and it was clear at the conference that Arran has not been forgotten.
‘Every island has its own agenda but issues that affect Arran, affect all of the other islands too and by working together we will have a louder voice overall.’
Cllr Angus Campbell, vice convenor of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: ‘Many of the things we have been putting forward have been stifled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the government.
‘Sixty per cent of land under community ownership shows that communities do want to have control over running their islands – it’s the cheapest and most cost effective form of investment you can get.
Arran NFUS branch chairman Liz Robertson said: ‘Overall the conference was very stimulating and forward looking.
‘Every island needs representation and this may become one of our only voices.
‘It was uplifting to hear agriculture recognised as the basis upon which each island’s economy is built.’
Christine MacIntyre, of Gaelic music and language organisation Feisean nan Gaidheal told the Arran Banner: ‘It’s a great step forward, because it’s uniting the islands and shows our commonality of purpose. We have to start somewhere – from small acorns great oak trees grow.
Scottish Islands Federation, enterprise minister Jim Mather told delegates: ‘It’s the right time to look strategically to the future and with all of you here, it’s the right time to begin to work together towards a positive and a sustainable future for Scotland’s islands.
‘And a more successful Scotland will include its islands.
‘You all have a key role to play in achieving that success and we will ensure that Scotland’s islands can maximise the opportunities that are unique to island communities.’
Other key issues covered at the conference included the need to provide more help to biomass heating firms, the cost and delay in getting parcels and post to the islands and the perilous state of the livestock industry.
