Rural Community Gateway

Are you aged between 15 and 30? Do you live in the Highlands and Islands? Thinking of returning or moving to the area for the first time? A new online survey has been launched to discover what the deciding factors are for young people choosing to stay, return or move to the Highlands and Islands. Researchers want to find out what young people think about education, jobs, quality of life and communication in the area. 

The survey findings will form part of a comprehensive report from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) into migration choices of people aged 15 to 30 and what policies might be needed to attract and retain more young people in the area.

Ruth Sime, development manager with HIE’s population growth team said, "Young people are a vital part of a thriving Highlands and Islands. This is the first in-depth online survey which aims to get to the heart of what young people really think and feel about life in the Highlands and Islands.

"If this region is to remain a great place to live and work we need to understand what the deciding factors are which encourage young people to stay and what might influence their decision to return sooner or indeed come to live here for the first time.

"These are big decisions in any young person’s life so we’re also very keen to hear from them what sorts of things are happening, or could happen in the future, which makes the decision to stay more attractive."

The survey is designed to be quick and easy and should only take around 10 minutes to complete. Complete the survey here. And when you finish the survey you can enter a draw to win Amazon vouchers. It is anticipated that the survey will close at the end of June, with results available in early Autumn.

Give us your views

What are the good points and bad points of being a young person living in a rural area? Are you thinking about moving away from or moving to a rural area? What factors have influenced your decision? Job opportunities, housing issues, recreation, transport?

What do you think could be done to encourage more young people to stay, return or move to rural areas in Scotland? Let us know what you think by adding your comments to this article. You can also email your comments to info@youthmigration.org.

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Norette Ferns

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