The Scottish Parliament has overwhelmingly backed a “remain” vote in the EU referendum.
MSPs voted by 106 votes to eight in favour.
It included Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan who urged islanders to vote for Scotland to stay in the EU on June 23rd, saying EU membership brings real benefits to rural Scotland.
Alasdair Allan commented: “With less than a month until the polls open for the EU referendum, I believe it is important to be clear about the many ways in which the EU benefits Scotland’s island communities.
“Island crofters and farmers receive millions of pounds of funding from Europe, with access to a single market of 500 million people creating huge trading opportunities for island food and drink producers. It is far from clear how this would be replicated if we were not in the EU."
The MSP said it also helped tourism by making it easier for visitors to visit Scotland and the Hebrides.
He added: “There are many things that are wrong with the EU – such as the way that the Common Fisheries Policy has been implemented – and I won’t for a moment pretend the EU is a perfect institution. But I take the view that the only way to change Europe is to take an active and positive role in Europe.