Population of Scotland's islands on the rise

The CalMac ferry moored at the jetty at Tarbert Harris.

High quality of life is leading to more people joining the 103,700 permanent residents on Scotland's main islands.

Scotland’s islands offer an unparalleled living experience with their strong communities, stunning landscapes and sense of self reliance.

While they may be not for everyone, the islands of Scotland have consistently been hailed as some of the best places to live in the UK.

Orkney recently topped the poll for quality of life for the third year in a row thanks to its low unemployment, lack of traffic - and even its dry weather.

A view of the Shandt Islands and Skye from the Isle of Lewis. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Now it would appear that some of Scotland’s 93 islands - home to 103,700 permanent residents - are enjoying something of a renaissance.

Orkney ‘best place to live in Scotland’ for third time

POPULATION

Latest research shows that the population increased by some four percent in the 10 years to 2011.

The ancient Ring of Brodgar on the Orkney mainland. Orkney has been named the best place to live in Scotland three years in a row.

This comfortably reversed a period of decline in the decade before when the islands lost some three per cent of their people.

While some of the growth may be down to ageing - 21 per cent of residents are aged 65 and over compared to 17 per cent nationally - island leaders will point to new businesses, new affordable housing and new opportunities as ways of keeping hold of natives - while drawing in new recruits to island life.

The four largest islands recorded the biggest population rises, with mainland Orkney recording the biggest increase at 12 per cent.

Resident numbers increased by six per cent on Lewis and Harris, seven per cent on mainland Shetland and eight per cent on Skye.

A Loganair flight lands on the beach at Barra

Smaller islands with population band of 50 to 99 residents and 100 to 499 residents increased over all,