LESS than a fifth of islanders in Scotland think there is enough housing to meet local demand, a new survey has found. 

The Scottish Government's National Islands Plan Survey laid bare "strong evidence of dissatisfaction with housing among respondents".

It found satisfaction was even lower in some areas, with just 8 per cent of residents in the Argyll islands and 7% in Skye and the Small Isles agreeing there is enough housing.  

Islanders also felt there was a lack of support for young people to remain, move or return to the islands. 

Opposition figures said the results should act as a "wake-up call" to the Scottish Government. 

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron, who represents the Highlands and islands, said: “During their 14 years in office, the SNP Government have continually failed to support our rural and island communities due to their obsession with the central belt. 

"It is our young people who are now paying the price for this inaction, with many feeling unable to either remain on, or relocate to, our islands.

“These findings should serve as a wake-up call to SNP ministers. 

"More investment in infrastructure, housing, and jobs in our remote and rural areas is desperately needed.

“Despite their warm words, the SNP have done nothing to address the fact that many housing developments simply do not match demand from local residents."

Scottish Labour’s islands spokeswoman Rhoda Grant said the findings were "appalling, but they are not surprising". 

She said: "This is the reality facing so many islanders.

“This lack of opportunities and housing is at the heart of the depopulation crisis threatening our island communities.

“The National Islands Plan must tackle these issues head on or else it’s not worth the paper it’s written on."

The National Islands Plan, published in 2019, aims to improve the lives of those living in Scotland's islands, with the survey used to gather data to measure the plan's effectiveness. 

In October last year, 20,000 surveys were posted to the residents of 76 permanently inhabited islands. A total of 4,347 people responded from 59 islands.

The survey found just 19% of islanders agreed there is enough housing available to meet local demand.

Meanwhile, 71% of islanders agreed there is a high proportion of local holiday lets and second homes. 

Most islanders (86%) said they plan to stay on the island for the next five years but reported it is not easy for under 40s to live and work in the local area.

Perceptions were more positive in the Orkney and Shetland mainlands and substantially more negative in Skye and the Small Isles, and Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes. 

Younger islanders tended to be more positive about their ability to live and work locally.

But just a quarter of island residents agreed that young people are supported to remain, move or return to the local area.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The National Islands Plan Survey will help measure the effectiveness of the Plan, allowing us to identify where more targeted interventions may be required and help make evidence based decisions.

“The Plan helps us to work closely with young islanders to retain and attract young people to our island communities. 

"In January, we launched the Young Islanders’ Challenge, providing a platform for those in our island communities between the ages of five and 25 to voice their opinions and identify areas for improvement to help retain and attract young people to our islands. 

"We are also developing an Islands Bond, offering 100 bonds of up to £50,000 to young people and families living in island communities threatened by depopulation.

“In developing Scotland’s first long-term housing strategy, Housing to 2040, we consulted with a wide range of people across Scotland to hear their bold and innovative ideas as to how homes and communities should feel to them. 

"The strategy includes an ambition to deliver a further 100,000 affordable homes up to 2032, with at least 70% of these for social rent, once the current 50,000 affordable homes target has been met.”