Leader of the Highland Council responds to Islands Bill
31st May 2018
Speaking after the passing of the Scottish Government's Islands (Scotland) Bill, Cllr Margaret Davidson, Leader of the Highland Council said: "I welcome the passing of this Bill which recognises the importance of our Island communities and considers the impact of legislation and policies on people who live there.
"The Bill refers to a national islands plan which is aimed at improving outcomes for island communities and I really look forward to positive discussions with the Scottish Government about this plan. This provides great opportunities for us in the Highlands.
"I note that the Bill describes an "inhabited island" as an island ‘permanently inhabited by at least one individual'. It is important to recognise that Highland Council has a coastline of 4412km with 1493 islands and nineteen of these islands are inhabited.
“I look forward to the Scottish Government now focusing on the fact that many of the issues covered in the Bill are very similar to the issues that face our remote and rural areas and perhaps we can follow this useful island bill with some new policy and support for our rural economies.
“Whilst we absolutely welcome working with the Scottish Government to improve island lives and communities, we need to know that we will be properly resourced to do this."
OK so you never knew Highland council had so many islands to deal with. Here is a list of a few-
A
An t-Iasgair
Ascrib Islands
B
Bottle Island
C
Canna, Scotland
Cherry Island (Loch Ness)
E
Eigg
Eilean Chathastail
Eilean Donan
Eilean Meadhonach
Eilean Shona
Isle of Ewe
F
Fladda-chùain
G
Garbh Sgeir
H
Handa, Scotland
Hyskeir
I
Inner Hebrides
Isle Ristol
M
Mingay
Muck, Scotland
O
Ornsay
P
Pabay
R
Raasay
Rùm
S
Sanday, Inner Hebrides
Scalpay, Inner Hebrides
Skye
Soay, Skye
Staffin Island
Summer Isles
Uninhabited Islands of Highland Council area
C
Calbha Beag
Càrna
Clett
Crowlin Islands
D
Dunglass Island
E
Eilean an Ròin Mòr
Eilean Bàn, Lochalsh
Eilean Choraidh
Eilean Dubh, Summer Isles
Eilean Fladday
Eilean Hoan
Eilean Horrisdale
Eilean Ighe
Eilean Mòr, Loch Sunart
Eilean Mòr, Crowlin Islands
Eilean Mòr, Loch Dunvegan
Eilean Mullagrach
Eilean nan Gillean
Eilean nan Ròn
Eilean Ruairidh Mòr
Eilean Sùbhainn
Eilean Tigh
Eilean Trodday
G
Garbh Eilean, Loch Maree
Gruinard Island
H
Harlosh Island
Horse Island, Summer Isles
I
Innis Mhòr
Isay
Isle Martin
L
Lampay
Longa Island
Longay
N
Neave Island
O
Oldany Island
Oronsay, Loch Bracadale
Oronsay, Loch Sunart
P
Priest Island
R
Rabbit Islands, Scotland
S
South Ascrib
South Rona
Stroma, Scotland
T
Tanera Beag
Tanera Mòr
Tarner Island
W
Wiay, Skye
