Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament, Fort William: Panel Discussion and Workshop

The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament (SRIP) is an important opportunity for voice of rural and island communities to help reinforce the importance of local democracy and to help shape the emerging Rural Delivery Plan. The theme of this year’s SRIP was Village Halls and Community Spaces.

On the final day, the SRIP hosted ‘Rural and Islands Futures’ panel discussion.  Chaired by Mairi McFadyen, with Shona Robison, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Dr. Liam Glynn, University of Limerick, Cllr Maureen Chalmers COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing and Ellie Moore, a delegate at the Rural and Island Youth Parliament, who brought the voices of the youth delegates to the centre stage.

The final workshop of the Parliament, ‘The Last Dance’ brought together the key themes of the previous few days to shape the Rural Delivery Plan, review the National Islands Plan, and chart our course forward.

Following the event Shona Robison, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance said:

“Scotland’s rural economy is bursting with talent and potential. That was the clear message that cut through from my attendance at this week’s Rural and Islands Parliament, which I was privileged to attend.

All the views aired by people at this fifth assembly of the Parliament are important as, ultimately - they will help inform policymaking and shape development of the Rural Delivery Plan – which will set out how all parts of the Scottish Government will deliver for our vision for Scotland’s rural and island communities.

We will continue to listen – and discussions held at this assembly will play a key role for sharing ideas and solutions. Everyone who attended this week’s event should be extremely proud of the important page they are helping write to create a strong, future vision of rural Scotland that works for everyone”

The outputs from the Parliament will contribute to the development of the Rural Delivery Plan scheduled for 2026 and the National Islands Plan Review. They will also be available to rural and island communities when they are taken on a roadshow across Scotland’s rural and island places throughout 2024, further extending the impact of the discussions and enriching the insights gathered at the parliament. The recommendations of the parliament will also be showcased at the next European Rural Parliament.

The final act for all at SRIP 2023 was to join Mairi McFadyen in an emotional rendition of a verse of “Here’s a Health to the Company” before heading home.