Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Scottish Islands Survey (2023) gathered views about different aspects of island life from Scottish island residents. The topics explored in the survey aligned with the objectives set out in the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan (2019), including housing, transport, economic development and communities, plus a focus on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting island residents. The data contributes to measuring progress towards the objectives set out in the National Islands Plan (2019) as well as the development of a new National Islands Plan to be published in 2025. The 2023 survey builds on data gathered in the National Islands Plan Survey (2020). Surveys were distributed to 20,000 adult residents of 75 inhabited islands in November 2023.Data formatsAn .rds version of the data file for R users is included alongside the Excel version, in the Excel download zip file.

Main Topics:

Questions relate to the strategic objectives of the Scottish Government's National Islands Plan (2019) - to address population decline and ensure a healthy, balanced population profile; to improve and promote sustainable economic development; to improve transport services; to improve housing; to reduce levels of fuel poverty; to improve digital connectivity; to improve and promote health, social care and wellbeing; to improve and promote environmental wellbeing and deal with biosecurity; to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and promote clean, affordable and secure energy; to empower diverse communities and different places; to support arts, culture and language; to promote and improve education for all throughout life.

Quota sample

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Telephone interview

Postal survey