Scottish Island Futures 2050 and Beyond
Four Workshops in 2023 Exploring the Future of the Scottish Islands
With the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the current £100 million Islands Growth Deal, Scottish society is becoming more aware of the importance of the Scottish islands. However, what future awaits them? Four themed workshops researched potential futures, exploring their demographic challenges, their large-scale renewable power generation projects, space centres, rich cultural heritages, and creative industries. The workshops involved expert island researchers from Scotland, Ireland, and members of the UArctic Thematic Network Arctic and Northern Islands Research from the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Canada and Finland. The experts engaged with islanders during the workshops, conference and on the Institute for Northern Studies UHI website.
The experts discussed the topics together in the mornings and in the afternoons the sessions were live streamed.
The following core questions will be addressed:
- How will vibrant, successful island populations be maintained into the future?
- What level of autonomy will best serve the island communities going forward?
- How can the islanders best engage with the changing environment?
- How can islands become sustainable, and how can large-scale developments be absorbed by small island communities?
- What role will island cultures and languages have in future scenarios?
The four workshops were as follows:
The Future of Core Periphery Relationships 3 February 2023
This workshop was held in Shetland and focused on island governance. Participants will explore relationships between islands and their metropoles i.e. Edinburgh and London. Are there better models of governance? Is island autonomy a goal to be strived for?
These sessions were recorded. Watch the morning session and the afternoon public session.
Scottish Island Futures Workshop 1 Report
Speaking of the Future - the Role of Language, Culture and Heritage 3 March 2023
This workshop was held in the Outer Hebrides and examined the role of the indigenous culture and languages in supporting vibrant communities. Is there a future for Gaelic and the Northern Isles dialects?
These sessions were recorded. Watch the morning session and the afternoon public session.
Scottish Island Futures Workshop 2 Report
Future Sustainable Communities – exploring the scope and scale of island development 21 April 2023
This workshop was held in Orkney and examined the optimum level of development for islands. Ought they to be industrialised, or should the focus be on small scale development, such as support for the creative industries?
These sessions were recorded. Watch the morning session and the afternoon public session.
Networking for the Future – islands doing it for themselves 26 May 2023
This online workshop focused on inter-island discourse, and the creation of island focussed networks. Island communities can establish links with each other, without involving the centre. What will be the future for islands if this trend continues? How is the internet being used to virtually bridge islands? What role do people see for AI in the islands’ future? What is the role for paradiplomacy?
This session was recorded: Scottish Island Futures 2050 and Beyond Workshop 4 20230526 1201 1 - YouTube
The workshops were intended to have a direct impact on Scottish island communities, bolstering islander agency, supporting islanders to make informed decisions and to maximise their potential, while minimising the effects of future threats, and helping them to chart a course to a sustainable, vibrant future. They are also intended to have an impact on policy makers and informing local and National Government policies.
RSE Research Workshop supported project
We held a discussion panel at the Virtual Island Summit 'Recommendations for a Successful, Vibrant Future – the Scottish Islands 2050 and Beyond' which you can watch here
