A Sense of Community: The Scottish islanders trying to preserve their vanishing population
Scotland’s Outer Hebrides are known for their spectacular cliffs, pristine white sand beaches, wildlife and rich history.
Residents live in small towns and villages scattered across 15 islands. But today, these communities are under threat.
Waves of emigration and an ageing society have halved the population of a century ago, causing school closures and workforce shortages. Official estimates predict that the islands will have the sharpest population decline in the United Kingdom within 10 years, while government initiatives to stop the exodus have floundered.
Now, locals are uniting to ensure that the next generation will stay - by creating business opportunities, reclaiming land, and breathing new life into old traditions.
This episode of A Sense of Community, a four-part series about the challenges unique neighbourhoods around the world face, follows Hebridean residents determined to preserve their singular way of life.
Credits:
Episode Producers: Drew Ambrose, Fiona MacGregor
Creator and Series Producer: Drew Ambrose
Associate Producers: Aun Qi Koh, David Boyle
Cinematographer: Lee Ali
Underwater Filming: Jim Hope
Graphics: Marc Keke Robertson
Theme Music: Vicki Hansen
Picture Editor: Adrian Billing
Digital Producer: Hasham Cheema
Cover Art: Row Yow
Research Assistant: Eiddwen Jeffery
Production Manager: Susanna Low
Senior Producer: Liz Gooch
Supervising Producer: Nick Olle
Executive Producer: Sharon Roobol
Archive: Ness Historical Society, Getty Images
#Scotland #Culture #Music #Agriculture #UnitedKingdom #Gaelic #Farming #Diaspora #Depopulation
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This documentary barely touches on one of the main driving forces behind depopulation in the outer Hebrides; a complete lack of affordable housing. This problem was created by unbridled tourism. Huge number of properties turned into holiday lets and holiday homes, or bought by wealthy English retirees. Bought and sold way over value, pricing local young people out of the market. People have to leave because there is nowhere for them to live. A friend of mine was recently offered a job in Harris but had to eventually decline the offer as there was literally nowhere for him to live. Not a single private long term let available. And all houses on the market being bought and sold at obscene prices, often by private investment firms who turn them into Airbnb's. Scottish government have been completely apathetic on this issue. If you want to stop population decline in these places you need to put a complete ban on outsiders buying second homes or homes to let. Should have been done years ago. It's been done in other places such as Cornwall and even Edinburgh. Why not in a highly vulnerable place like the outer Hebrides? but SNP government would rather continuously persue increased tourism in an effort to prove Scotland as a viable independent economy. Unfortunately this endless persuit of tourism has come at a huge cost to the communities of the west the Highlands. Go to the isle of Skye and most of the villages are completely devoid of native people. All the homes turned into holiday lets. It's the highland clearances 2.0. The issue isn't a lack of jobs or opportunity. In fact, as is mentioned in the documentary, there is a major labour shortage. In Skye there is an estimated 3000 unfilled jobs. The sole reason is because there is nowhere for employees to live. Meanwhile the SNP pump millions into promoting Gaelic language but, who exactly is it that they expect is going to speak Gaelic? tourists? English retirees? It's infuriating that many, blinded by their support of the SNP, refuse to acknowledge the root cause of this problem.
The SNP could do a lot more but so far it's the only party which acknowledges a problem at all, they've chosen the easy political path of allowing the market free reign, leading to the tourism/incomer boom and subsequent housing shortages. But the alternative for them would be to full on acknowledge that the Highlanders and Islanders are being displaced in big numbers by wealthy English people, leading more or less to the dissolution of a distinct people and culture. Modern democratic governments anywhere have a very difficult time even talking about such things because it raises questions which begin to expose the fallacies underpinning the economic system everything's built on "does a rising tide lift all boats?". Especially the SNP who constantly have most of the UK press insinuating or outright saying that they are "Mugabe lite" genocidal anti English etc. you can see why they struggle to really touch it. What's for certain though is there's no way the problems of these areas are going to receive attention from any of the UK parties, all of them look at it in purely economic terms, the NW of Scotland as a gigantic Centerparcs resort would seem no bad thing to them because lines on a graph would go up and there'd be better facilities for their next jaunt on the NC500, the vanishing of a people and culture would barely register as having happened, or be seen as an unfortunate coincidence. This I think is generally understood by people here and drives support for the SNP as a means to deliver independence - people will prefer lacklustre inaction from them to other parties complete denial or explicit pledges to do things directly against their interests.
Well said
I grew up in Cornwall and we have the same problem here. We can't afford a house here and I'm moving to the isle of Lewis with my partner and son next year. We initially looked at houses on the Hebrides about 4 or 5 years ago and the sort of houses we looked at were only half the price that they are now. Really excited about starting a crofting lifestyle.
My Parents were natives, had to go away to further their education and careers. Came home in 1977. Most UK political parties want to use the Western Isles as military bases or for bumping nuclear waste far away from their own homes. I am not a fan of uncontrolled tourism, but there is a balance to be struck so that Communities can continue and the beauty and wildlife of these islands maintained. Going on about the SNP ignores why people in Scotland support them. There is also a lack of affordable housing in London, Cornwall, Devon, etc.
My village has many empty homes, whose owners live elsewhere, and return only once a year if at all. Yes, there are a few self-catering properties, but the bulk of empty homes are the properties are the absent owner properties. Shelter and the Scottish Government are focused on trying to get these properties back into use, but for many reasons its difficult.
I wish the local Gaelic (Galik) speaking people could keep their youth & bring in investment rather than have outsiders buy up property because they sell up a wealthy property in the south of England. Love the Isle of Lewis & its Gaelic speaking people, a truly hard working & very genuine people. Alba gu bràth!
They can, but then they have to deal with tourist. It's a trade off.
Gaelic is dead. Only 50,000 speak it. It isn't worth preserving.
I was born in England but my mother was MacDonald. I must visit the northern Ilse's. The population in England is growing fast and there is no community anymore.
Great documentary, It is nice seeing all the pictures of Ness and the surrounding villages, my grandparents lived in a small village just south of Ness - Melbost (Borve). I spent many summers over the years up there, bringing in the peats and hay. I was lucky enough that I managed to spend time driving their tractor. I always remember it being sunny and time on the beaches with few rainy days, but that may be because I was a child and had great memories of the place.
It’s impossible for normal people to buy a house in any of the islands due to rich folk either buying to rent or as second holiday homes, even affordable homes go for many tens of thousands over the valuation price, meaning it’s almost impossible to get a mortgage.
Not quite true across all of the islands. The 2nd home owners are very much concentrated around the west coast of Harris and Lewis, particularly near the beaches. That makes it hard for local people who have family or work connections in those areas. There is less pressure on prices on the East coast, where there are still communities of crofters. While unemployment is low on the islands, good-paying jobs (that the banks like when a mortgage application goes in), are scarce. I'd love to see a scheme similar to that used in some parts of England, where the local authority backs local people purchasing houses. Very simplistically, there is a part-ownership agreement between the prospective householder and the local authority. That reduces the deposit required, and the size of mortgage (hence makes it easier to get a mortgage).
@@SuperHairytoes I am retired nurse on set income, with a college age daughter looking for an economical Fixer Upper or rental. Feel free to contact me
Thank you for this excellent video of a most excellent people Al Jazeera, It is something you would not see broadcast in a UK wide network.
Thank you for broadcasting such a beautiful documentary. I wish I could immigrate to such a beautiful, serene and a quite peaceful place !
Glad you enjoyed the documentary. We appreciate your positive feedback. 🙌
All the best to you all up there from a worker on a sheep farm in Cornwall. I got a big love for your part of the world..
The Celtic connection
Why do people from rural areas place a heavy emphasis on "ch" and "sh" sounds when they sneeze? In large cities when people sneeze they sound more like coughs!!!
I lived in the Outer Hebrides for a few years and found it tough, beautiful and expensive. Not many shops there but everything was about 30% costlier than the mainland and with wages relatively low by UK standards it's no wonder the young are leaving, but I suspect many will come back, eventually. Much of the land there is owned by the current monarch's cousins ( the Southerner - Lord Granville) who owns a lot of the land in North Uist ( esp. hunting estates, shooting deer etc).
Looking forward to visiting your wonderful community soon. Thank you
I absolutely loved this documentary.And I would love to live there
I have visited the Hebrides 3 times and just loved the islands. Of course, I'm not looking at the economies of living there, just the beauty, a d the sense of community. Loved this documentary.
Not enough Gàidhlig mentioned or shown in this video...
What a wonderful video, I wish them success in all that they do and want to achieve. Beautiful people all of them.
Really did enjoy this....lifts the spirits..!!
Beautifully portrayed and soulful, enjoyed this video tremendously. I live in a small town on the northern coast of california and can relate to this well ~ community is where it's at. Thank you to those who were a part of making this exceptional documentary. 🧜♀🪗🌠
Have visited there myself. Lovely people there. The few of them that you meet, will never fail to greet.
Beautiful, thank you. The sense of community looks lovely. What I have found in outer London is that without moving home I have been moved in a sense to a place where everyone is very different indeed from me now. Lucky Outer Hebrides not to have that imposed on them without consent.
i'd love to see a video about english people in coventry, birmingham and london, also trying to preserve their vanishing population.....
im a local and airbnb has taken over whole scotland!!
Thank you for sharing, your Country is beautiful and if I was young again I’d come help repopulate your land. I live in rural Alaska, the population between 3 small towns is approx 600. The only ways to get here are by air and sea. We are a fishing town, dependent on commercial fishing that lasts for approx two months. I love the openness of the land, being able to see for miles, we also have that here although there are some trees growing and taking over and blocking my view 😮. I wish your communities all the best. My great grandfather was from Scotland so I’m very interested in that part of the world and hope some day to travel there.
What a great a documentary.
Many thanks, dear Justin. Glad you enjoyed our film. 🙌
Love visiting Scotland, I come back as often as possible. Simple observation: If I want to meet and interact with native scots I’ll go to Glasgow or pretty much anywhere in the lowlands. The highlands will never lose their beauty but they are increasingly populated by English rusticators and European seasonal staffers.
Fantastic piece of film,well done ,you captured some stunning images. I absolutely love Lewis and Harris,it's the wonderful place where my mother lived from 1989 to 2013 at Port of Ness,consequently I know several of the people in the film and I've visited Ness FC Social Club on many occasions. Three of John Maher's masterpieces adorn our living room wall,he was the brilliant drummer in The Buzzcocks,going back a few years...what a life-style change to be living there (lucky fella). The only way I can fault this video is/ it should have been 3 hours long !
Excellent 👌
I'd be willing to give a hand fixing up an old house to live in with my 25 year old daughter almost finished with college. We may not be Scottish, no, just Irish from 3 generations ago, yet we like plaid, kilts, bagpipes, singing and sheep! I am a retired female nurse on a set modest income now. I may have fixing up one more boat and house in me left.
Thanks KZhead for recommending this little piece 👍❤
Nice film. Al Jazeera is a Qatari media company. The Qatari Royal Family are owners of large tracts of Scotland. So are many absentee landowners, who occasionally enjoy the hunting, shooting and fishing. Will they help reverse the growing depopulation of these islands?
I was in Harris and Stornaway in the 90s. Lovely part of the world. You need to attract young folk!! You def need a strong marketting strategy!!
I loved him as a drummer and now as a photographer.
I grew up in Lewis, I now live in Edinburgh.I was there this summer for ten days, great fishing but the midges are SO bad, it either rains or it’s full of midges. Not an easy life.
Many thanks for watching the last episode of A Sense of Community, a four-part series about unique neighbourhoods around the world and the challenges they face. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Watch Episode 1: kzhead.info/sun/iM2qgcerm4eiqJE/bejne.html Watch Episode 2: kzhead.info/sun/n5lueaWtmZVrnGw/bejne.html Watch Episode 3: kzhead.info/sun/f6iqhZmGppGPrYE/bejne.html More from 101 East on Twitter: twitter.com/aj101east Facebook: facebook.com/101east Instagram: instagram.com/aj101east
You have done a better job than the BBC. Tapadh Leibh.
I don't mind the rain, the cold or the wet. But all three at once is just bl**dy rude! Great doco though.
What a beautiful place
Wonderful documentary full of real people. Lack of girls can lead to grave outcomes for the majority of young Scottish studs.
I want to go there. Oh. Wait! I am going there. See you in July!
Wonderful video.
Gotta be real with you. I would class the Outer Hebrides is a place to visit, not live. And yes, I do live here. But after spending a year in Edinburgh, I realise just how isolated it really is. It's expensive to live here, despite what they say it is difficult to find work or get anywhere if you don't drive. Of course, this is only my opinion and is absolutely subjective. If you want to live on one of the islands, knock yourself out. They are very beautiful. But weigh the pros with the cons.
A half a chance would be all it would take and I would move there. In a heartbeat. But, I'm 47. I still have some good years in me left and I'm in fairly good health. Don't count the people past 40 out.
I would love to return to the Inner Hebrides! I can picture it; a house of hobbies, "Jane of all trades" my way around the community to contribute, & homestead a spot. I may be too "born wild" to return. (I'd be one heck of a carrot to chase though!)
Judging from the scenery alone. It looks like it's a pretty hard place to live in.
The buyout looks like the best thing that can happen.
Wonderful, greatl appeal. Absentee landowners not good.Before I die I want to be a quiet visitor for a month or three in winter. Better get a move on.
Watched it in Australia as I have a dear mate who hails from here. I own a tiny tractor to mow the lawn as such I would fit in with you lot 😉
Can I redirect my TV licence fee to Aljazeera?
As usual, anything about the Outer Hebrides focuses on the main island! What about all the others?! The Uists? Benbecula? Barra? Eirskay?
You say that and I was thinking "What about the east coast?". As with most films, they shoot luskentyre, uig and almost nowhere else. Good to see Sweeny interviewed though.
Their all basically similar.
I wonder should I move to the outer Hebrides to help the population grow? Cdn of Scottish decent - would l-o-v-e to!
This must appear really exotic to Aljazeera viewers!
I can hear a definite similarity between their accent and the accents in South Wales.
We holidayed to a cottage that had been bought by a chinese couple who lived in china they came for one week a year. Cant blame them but that cottage steeped in history could have been bought by someone local. Sadly they have been left to the ideals of the artistic and not the locals.sad but a true representative of the way of life that we have all allowed tohappen. Just like the green belt of england whereby councils are selling it all of for homes. Homes that most local people cannot afford. Its crazy. Nothing we can do as its gone too far.
A land with rain, midges and no trees, oh joy
as stated. "paradise" there is also the sand blaster effect on the beaches thanks to the strong wind to add joy in a granular dimension to anyone brave enough to expose knee to element. possibly connected to that lassie turning half fish (unconfirmed)
There are people who would move to these places, families with roots there that are unable to move back. Housing sold off as holiday let’s remain the biggest killer for my home island. A rapidly expanding economy without the infrastructure to support it. And all homes now insanely out of budget for the average wage.
Moral of the story kick the Land Lords out❤
If they changed with the times they wouldnt lose their young. Most kids leaving school are desperate to leave and have a life. They dont even allow the sports centre to open on a Sunday
Yeah the place has a very strange culture- I would not call it close knit- Id call it toxic.
If there was land for people to own and manage themselves, there would be no problem of the population people who owned land will take care of it and grill
Just one of many ways of life falling victims to modernist dystopia.
If you are not wealthy I can see why they are loosing people. From what I have seen as a tourist.
Why do they look so beautiful and healthy??
If you need more people who can work, the Philippines can provide a few hundred thousand. Fair wages for hard work.
My wife and I would move there if you would have us. Instead, we live in Costa 🇨🇷 Rica.
What a beautiful, and warmer, alternative!
What a wonderful place to live.
Hi
I'm looking but I'm not seeing one person of color.
That pretty much explained himself as a serf "crofting" sounds like traditional serfdom
Guy
Could not be further from serfdom. The rent is anound $20 each year. Crofting helps delay the resources all ending up in the control of the few.
is that young woman actually a mermaid?
Oops.
The mermaid girl is beautiful.
Yes. It's the peasant heritage and fresh air!!! Go to Glasgow and the women look rough!!!
China is facing the same situation but on a greater scale. Their working age population will be gone within ten years.
Don't she thinks it's dangerous to swim as a mermaid? A killer whale may mistake her a food. I'm just asking..
They need to have babies to preserve their identity. Not import immigrants.
Indians will happily come to your place and change everything for fit to their culture.
Need Immigrant
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!, Good one.
There's is a hard working protestant work ethnic.
immigration destroys cities, let alone small native communities. We need natives
No, they want to retain their culture and community, not have it replaced.
@@WheelieMacBin lol! Right on!
I’ve visited the outer Hebrides a few times and found that most of craft/antique and artists shops and businesses are all owned and run by English people …. Even the Harris Tweed weaver was from Bolton …. Lancashire …. Seems to me that the young Hebrideans have no interest or intention of carrying on the traditional lifestyles and living in the comparative isolation of the islands …. Maybe they will return when they’re older and realise what they’ve lost …. But by then it’ll be too late …. the communities that they grew up with will be gone …..
Lots would like to keep traditions like that going but don't have the opportunity, they may work for these companies but they will get something in the area of minimum wage which is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of housing. To establish or buy a business like that you generally need to have the kind of money only seen with people who've sold a house for a fortune down south. There is very little avenue for local people to get a foot in without leaving for 20-30 years, getting established elsewhere and returning with the necessary capital.