Exclusive:Majority of Scots believe politicians do not understand needs of rural Scotland

Scotland’s rural survey found 73 per cent of those living in the countryside feel decision-makers do not understand the needs of their communities, rising to 79 per cent amongst those living in remote rural areas.

A further 63 per cent said rural residents do not have a meaningful voice in shaping the decisions that affect them, rising to 70 per cent in remote rural areas.

People who live in the Highlands, islands and north-east are more likely than those in other regions to agree with both of these statements.

The survey also found 45 per cent of rural Scots believe access to healthcare is the main concern for their community. This is followed by 35 per cent citing public transport and 30per cent saying they are most concerned about the availability of housing.

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The poll, which surveyed over 3,000 people, was conducted by the Diffley Partnership for Salmon Scotland, NFU Scotland and Homes for Scotland,

Mark Diffley, founder and director of the Diffley Partnership, said: “This groundbreaking research throws the spotlight on the range of significant challenges facing Scots who live in rural communities across the country.

“We know that some parts of rural Scotland have declining populations which presents problems for those communities, and we know the main reasons for depopulation, its impact on rural communities, and how those in rural communities would like to see the issue addressed.

“The messages from rural Scotland are clear, and decision-makers will be keen to reflect these messages as the Holyrood election approaches.”

The researchers also found that rural residents are more satisfied with their lives than their urban counterparts, including their home, the area they live in, their quality of life and their general health.

Fifty-seven per cent said they were satisfied with their sense of community, compared to just 36 per cent of urban residents.

Eighty-nine per cent of rural residents say they support greater power being devolved to Scotland’s countryside, including decisions about local services and development.

It also shows widespread concerns about funding and public services in rural areas. Eighty per cent said there was a lack of investment in infrastructure such as housing, roads and public transport, and only 15 per cent think public services are meeting the needs of rural communities.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said a lack of local employment opportunities in rural areas was the reason for people moving to urban areas, followed by a lack of housing (45 per cent) and poor public transport (44 per cent).

One in five said they are likely to move to an urban area, rising to 36 per cent for those between the ages of 16 and 34. A quarter of those with children said they are likely to move.

The survey has also revealed the policies rural residents want to see the Scottish Government committing to. Ninety per cent said investment in better broadband, 88 per cent said increased funding for public transport, and 78 per cent said expanding housing options.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Ministers value rural communities greatly, and the Scottish Government’s vision is for a vibrant and sustainable rural Scotland with a thriving economy where families are able to access the services they need.

“One way which rural communities are placed at the centre of policymaking is through a Rural Assessment Toolkit, which was launched in 2025. This helps to ensure that a systematic approach is taken across government to consider the unique challenges and opportunities in rural areas during policy development.

“This builds on the Scottish Government’s record of support for rural communities, such as continuing to invest in producers by preserving direct support for farmers and crofters, to improving online connectivity, and comes on the back of a lot of work with partners and communities to better understand the opportunities in rural communities, as well as the particular challenges rural Scotland faces.”