The role we all must play in building a positive future for Uist

Lots of things make Uist special. That’s why we choose to live here and it’s also why visitors come back time and time again.
Ours is a community that steps up in times of trouble and supports others with a generosity that seems to know no bounds.
The Gaelic language and culture of Uist is critical to its identity and is of national importance as a traditional community.
Today, Uist has a problem to address and I’d suggest that each one of us has a role to play.
Uist’s population is declining and collectively we need to do something about it. This isn’t new news but the situation is coming into sharp focus as we see key jobs going unfilled. With the exception of south Benbecula, which increased by 2% (10 people), between 2011-2020, every part of Uist saw a drop in population, particularly among young people. In parts of North and South Uist, over 30% of the population is aged 65+, against a national average of 18%. Across the islands, deaths continue to exceed births. Coupled with negative net migration, it doesn’t take a statistician to see where this could be heading.
It isn’t all doom and gloom and, as Uist Beò has been highlighting over the past year or so, there are many people doing great things. New businesses are blossoming despite all of the challenges they face in trading successfully in this place and at this time. This is a testament to the tenacity of those people who have committed to being here. We also have young people who have remained or returned to Uist to take up critical roles in care, health services and teaching, or to join growing businesses and social enterprises, and they should be held in just as high regard as our young entrepreneurs.
In my work, I speak to businesses and community organisations all the time and I know how hard everyone is finding it to recruit new staff. Jobs at all levels, in all industries, private sector and public sector are going unfilled. There are several factors behind this and a key one is housing. Anyone who looks at social media will be aware of the constant stream of posts from people looking for homes for sale or rent or plots of land for building. Often these posts are from people who have secured jobs and want to live here, but simply can’t find accommodation.
With increasing numbers of houses being let as holiday properties or used as second homes, there is unfortunately a growing tension between the tourism industry and the wider community. I don’t mean to criticise those who have seized the opportunity to supplement their income by dipping a toe, or more, into tourism. Tourism provides vital employment and contributes towards sustaining community centres, village shops and fuel pumps – many of these services could not survive without the boost from tourist spend.
However, a balance needs to be struck. Communities are made up of permanent residents, people who live and work here all the year round. And these people need homes.
So what can we do? There is a recognition that public bodies need to work together and continue to keep housing in the spotlight as an essential service to sustain and grow our population, to implement policy and make use of legal measures to ensure that new housing stock is retained for permanent residential use.
Hebridean Housing Partnership is always on the lookout for suitable sites for building small numbers of houses in Uist but access to land is a challenge. I’d appeal to grazings committees and other owners of land to consider whether they could do anything to help by offering a site to HHP or by releasing small plots for self-build. Throughout the islands, there are old family houses that have fallen into disrepair and which could potentially be renovated and brought back into use. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has an Empty Homes Officer who can be contacted via the council offices in Stornoway for advice on what you can do if you own a derelict house.
Social infrastructure is another factor that contributes to a thriving community. It is what helps bind us together and contributes to making Uist a great place for people to settle. By social infrastructure I mean all the clubs and societies throughout Uist that provide activities for our children, run our churches and community halls, sports clubs, agricultural shows, choirs and craft groups, and our social enterprises which provide childcare, respite and activities for the older generation.
All of these rely upon volunteer effort. Whether it be something practical like cutting grass or supervising a children’s activity, or sitting on a voluntary board of directors taking responsibility for running an organisation, the community needs many more people to volunteer their time. Lots of the groups in Uist are really struggling for volunteers and board members and if people don’t step forward it is inevitable that we will lose some of what we have now. Everyone is busy but ‘many hands make light work’ and it would be wonderful to see more people getting involved.
Whilst we must embrace inward migration if we are to stabilise the population, we must also ensure that Gaelic remains alive in the community. Gaelic Medium Education is a great success but if Gaelic is only the language of school and not the wider community, then young people will not develop the depth of learning required to secure Gaelic for the future. This means that we should use what language skills we have, whether a little or a lot. We should support learners to develop their skills, not just in formal settings, but in the shop and at social events. We should be the audiences for Gaelic sessions at the newly opened Cnoc Soilleir and elsewhere in the community. And we should contribute our thoughts on the latest Plana Nàiseanta Gàidhlig which is out for consultation until 26th July.
As Area Manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise I feel a huge responsibility to make a positive difference throughout the Outer Hebrides. HIE’s senior management and board recognise the population issue faced by Uist and are determined to address it but we have to do this in partnership with local and national government and its agencies. My team and I work closely with colleagues in CnES, other agencies, private businesses and social enterprises to bring investment and other opportunities to Uist but we can’t do it on our own. It is our community and our collective responsibility and we need everyone to play a role in building a positive future for Uist.
“…if people don’t step forward it is inevitable that we will lose some of what we have now.”