The new investment aims to address pressures, including depopulation and rising fuel costs, which disproportionately affect island communities.

It includes:

• £3m through the Islands Programme, building on previous investments which have delivered critical infrastructure projects ranging from affordable homes on Shetland to upgraded airfield terminal buildings on Eday and Westray.
• £1m for the continuation of the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund to help communities tackle increasing costs, distributed through the six island local authorities.
• £750,000 to support net zero projects as part of the Carbon Neutral Islands programme, with past initiatives including decarbonisation of community spaces in Barra and Vatersay, developing a solar farm on Islay and transport decarbonisation on Hoy.
• £1m to support a range of projects connected to commitments made in the Scottish Government’s new National Islands Plan, including an island scholarship pilot scheme, mental health support for young people and training courses in sustainable tourism.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s islands have tremendous potential and this investment in infrastructure, jobs and cost-of-living support will help island communities flourish.

“Today’s funding builds on our new National Islands Plan, published last month, which sets out targeted action to improve housing, healthcare and economic opportunities on Scotland’s islands — because when island communities thrive, the whole of Scotland benefits.”