Scottish Parliament – May 21, 2025 – 1

S6M-17598.2: As an amendment to motion S6M-17598 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities), leave out from first "welcomes" to end and insert "raises significant concerns about the lack of reliable ferry services for many island communities and the challenges that this creates for islanders and businesses, as well as the absence of a long-term plan to provide solutions and funding for a much-improved ferry network;

draws attention to the Scottish Human Rights Commission, which found that Scotland’s islanders face a number of human rights challenges;

emphasises the acute difficulties that islanders face, including in relation to the increased cost of living for households and businesses, access to health and social care, housing, fisheries, farming and island education;

notes the widespread concern about depopulation and considers that not enough has been done to tackle it;

highlights criticism raised about the national islands plan in terms of a lack of benefits and progress;

appreciates the valuable role that the islands play in Scotland’s tourist industry;

raises concern about the potential impact of the Scottish Government’s visitor levy on tourism;

recognises the benefits brought by the energy sector on Scotland’s islands, but notes that this sometimes comes into conflict with communities, and urges the Scottish Government to take clear action to tackle all challenges."

Original motion(S6M-17598): That the Parliament recognises Scotland's islands' invaluable contribution to Scotland’s economy, culture and identity;

welcomes the investments that have accompanied Scotland’s first ever national islands plan;

recognises the positive impact that the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 has had, but notes the need for further action to tackle island challenges;

welcomes the extensive community engagement to develop the new national islands plan, and notes that measures to address depopulation and create community wealth should be key themes of the new plan;

further welcomes the positive progress and impact of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, and agrees that the Scottish Government should continue to work towards prosperous and sustainable island communities.