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The Scottish Island Federation is in the process of moving websites to www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk for some of its content. Click on the link if you wish to view information on the latest meeting minutes, news, our restructuring, information about the 2007 Conference to be held on Mull in September, and some other content about the islands.
There are 95 inhabited islands in Scotland with a total population of just under 100,000. These islands fall into six local authority areas: Shetland, Orkney, Western Isles (all of which have their own councils) and Highland, Argyll & Bute and North Ayrshire (which are mainland councils with island communities).
The Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) have cultural and historical ties with Scandinavia, whereas the west coast islands have more affinity with Ireland. The southernmost of the Atlantic islands, Islay, lies within sight of Rathlin island and the coast of Antrim. The Western Isles have the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers in Scotland.
While different challenges apply to individual islands, most of them face issues associated with peripherality, transport costs and limited opportunities for employment or services. The Scottish Islands Network has been set up to promote, publicise and advance the interests of all Scotland's islands by bringing together public, private and community sectors responsible for their well-being.
The Scottish Islands Network is undergoing important changes in order to develop and become a more representative body, on a par with other European islands organisations. To mark these changes, it is changing its name to the “Scottish Islands Federation” (SIF). SIF aims to develop a broad and inclusive membership from all Scottish Islands, and is working towards securing core funding to deliver its objectives,
To help SIF make these changes, and to ensure that the organisation meets your needs and expectations, we would like to ask you for your feedback through a questionnaire. If you know anyone else who you think would like to comment, please pass the questionnaire on.
To download the questionnaire, click here it is a 'word' document
The Scottish Islands Network would like to acknowledge the grant support provided by the Scottish Executive Rural Strategic Support Fund, Leader+, Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council and North Ayrshire Council.
© Scottish Islands Network 2004
Island Photographs courtesy of (External) Cailean Maclean