Highlands facing “spiralling” cost of living pressures, new report warns
A new report by Skye MP Angus MacDonald has warned that the Highlands and Islands face a growing “cost of living premium”, with rising costs, declining services and population pressures putting remote communities under increasing strain.
The report, titled ‘Remote Scotland: Spiralling Towards Unviability?’, argues that any future devolution deal must recognise the specific challenges of rural life rather than applying policies designed for urban areas.
It highlights higher energy, transport and food costs, alongside lower average wages and difficulties accessing essential services.
The report claims one in three Highland households are living in fuel poverty, with households in Skye and Lochalsh estimated to pay around £1,000 more each year on energy than the Scottish average.
It also points to a decline in care provision, with the number of places for older people in the Highlands falling by 18 per cent since 2014, while the population aged over 75 has continued to rise.
On Skye, the report says the island has just 45 care beds serving a population of around 10,000 people.
Housing is also highlighted as a major concern, with the report claiming that second homes, short term lets and rising prices are reducing the supply of homes available to local people and key workers.
It says that of 387 new homes built on Skye over the past five years, 60 have since been registered as short-term lets.
The report also criticises the loss of European funding following Brexit, claiming Scotland received £212 million through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund between 2022 and 2025, around 60 per cent less than the equivalent EU funding.
It argues the Highlands have not seen enough benefit from the growth of renewable energy, despite the region producing significant amounts of clean power.
Angus MacDonald MP
Mr MacDonald is calling for the creation of a dedicated Highlands and Islands Minister.
He said the challenges facing remote communities require a different approach.
“The Highlands cannot be an afterthought in this new conversation about power and place,” Mr MacDonald said.
The report comes as there is growing discussion around devolving more powers away from Westminster and towards local communities.
]]>Skye MSP hits out at ‘desperate tactics’ during Holyrood campaign
The new Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has distanced himself from his former party, the Scottish Conservatives.
Andrew Baxter hit out at what he called “desperate tactics” from SNP supporters who pointed out his previous affiliation during the campaign.
Mr Baxter stood as a Conservative candidate in the 2022 local elections before joining the Lib Dems.
He said he is committed to remaining a Lib Dem MSP and fighting the next election for the party.
Andrew Baxter MSP
Speaking to Radio Skye on his first day at Holyrood, he said:
“In the last few days of the campaign, I’m told that there were comments on social media saying how could I possibly represent Gaelic speaking communities when I have a colonial English accent. Which of course is absolute nonsense but lowered the tone of the debate and the election campaign considerably.”
Mr Baxter went on to defend his record.
“Isn’t it wonderful that we can live in a democracy where people can say, ‘look, I had a previous political affiliation’.
“There’s no hiding that. But my opinions have changed and my political affiliation has changed. I’m a Liberal Democrat and I intend to continue as a Liberal Democrat.
“I find it peculiar that the SNP resorted to that when after all they have a prominent Councillor representing the Isle of Skye who was previously a member of my party before he switched to the SNP. They wouldn’t blink an eyelid at that particular situation so why should it be different for anyone else?”
Mr Baxter was elected last week, beating the SNP’s Eilidh Munro by 950 votes in a closely fought race. You can read the full results here.
The SNP has been approached for comment.
Listen to the full interview below.
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Inverness Leisure Centre
What do the candidates for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch stand for?
The Scottish Parliament election is on Thursday 7 May 2026. There are six candidates standing for the seat of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. You can listen to an extended conversation with each one of them below.
Hustings
There’s also an opportunity to put your questions directly to the candidates at the Radio Skye Hustings on Thursday 23 April at the Skye Gathering Hall. The event starts at 7pm and will be broadcast live on Radio Skye. It is free to attend. No booking is required.
Constituency
The constituency has been held by the SNP’s Kate Forbes since 2016. She has taken the decision to step down as an MSP, and as the Deputy First Minister in the Scottish Government. You can hear more about why she decided to do so here.
How does voting work?
Scotland has a form of proportional representation called the Additional Member System (AMS). Voters record two votes in the polling booth, or by post. One for a constituency MSP. One for a regional MSP. There are 129 MSPs altogether. 73 constituency MSPs and 56 additional regional MSPs (7 per region).
Some parties decide to run in both the constituency and the regional list. Others choose one or the other. For the Radio Skye Hustings, we have invited those running as contituency candidates only.
Andrew Baxter – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Helen Crawford – Scottish Conservatives
Laùra Hänsler – Alliance to Liberate Scotland
Islay McCay – Scottish Labour
Eilidh Munro – SNP
Jon Whitton – Reform UK
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Kate Forbes on standing down from Holyrood after a decade
As the Holyrood election approaches, a changing of the guard is underway at the Scottish Parliament. Not one but two former First Ministers are standing down. They are Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. Among those stepping back is Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes who is also Deputy First Minister in the Scottish Government. Forbes has been an MSP since 2016 when she entered Parliament at the age of 26. She sat down with Radio Skye's Jamie McDonald for a wide ranging conversation reflecting on her time in office and what the future holds. Listen below.
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