The Scottish Affairs Committee visited Lewis and Harris this week to explore a range of issues experienced by Scotland’s Island communities. This included opportunities for economic growth, Scotland’s role in the UK’s net zero transition, the importance of Scotland’s fishing industry, and the role of Gaelic in Scotland’s communities.
The cross-party Committee spent two days in Stornoway to meet with local businesses,
residents, and community-based projects and developers across Lewis and Harris.
In Stornoway, the Committee first met with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to discuss the economic and social priorities for the Western Isles.
During its visit, the Committee heard from community development programmes like
Harris Development Ltd, and visited the Galson Estate Trust, to learn about the benefits
of community-based renewable energy projects, which can support the island’s sustainability
and resilience whilst also contributing to the UK’s net zero transition.
As one of the largest employers in the area, the Committee also engaged with the
local fishing industry. MPs visited Macduff Shellfish’s processing facility, and
Mowi’s salmon farm at Loch Erisort, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing
island-based businesses and exporters. MPs also met with the Western Isles Fishermen’s
Association to hear their views on local fishing post-EU exit.
Stornoway is home to the largest number of Gaelic speakers in the UK. Whilst in Stornoway, Members heard about the role of Gaelic in local life and its future. They visited MG Alba, which delivers the BBC’s Gaelic language programming BBC Alba, to hear about how the UK Government could better support its work.
The Committee heard directly from local people during a public engagement event and discussed their concerns and views about island life. Members heard about transport and connectivity challenges, the cost of living and rural premium, the impact of depopulation and demographic change, the impact of tourism, and the role of Gaelic in their lives.
Ahead of the visit to Lewis and Harris, MPs also visited the UK Government’s Glasgow HQ, where 3000 civil servants are based, to explore the UK Government’s progress in expanding the Civil Service presence outside London.
Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Patricia Ferguson, said: “The Committee was delighted to visit Lewis and Harris this week. We would like to thank everyone involved for giving us such a warm welcome, being so generous with their time, and for speaking about their experiences of island life as residents, business owners, or members of the community.
“During out visit, we heard first-hand about the impressively varied range of opportunities
for Scotland’s Island communities – from producing iconic and highly valuable exports,
to supporting the UK's net zero transition, as well as maintaining Scotland's rich
culture and heritage, for example, by sustaining a vibrant Gaelic-speaking community.
“What we heard will feed into our work over the course of this Parliament. Our findings
on community-based renewable energy projects such as the one at Galson, will feed
directly into our new inquiry into GB Energy and the transition to net zero.”
Scottish Affairs Committee on Lewis and Harris fact finding visit
13 December 2024
