The inaugural Islands Economy Showcase will be held at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 2 April 2025.
This offers a unique platform to 24 enterprises from across Scotland’s councils with island communities to meet policy makers, explore opportunities, share challenges and celebrate achievements.
Among the featured participants are Arran Dairies, Taste of Arran, VisitArran, Auchrannie Resort, Cumbrae Community Development Company and Carbon Neutral Cumbrae.
Together, they will shine a spotlight on the vital contributions that island-based businesses make to both the local and national economy.
Quote:Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands at North Ayrshire Council said, “Through our unique North Ayrshire Islands Programme there is already a lot of fantastic work being done to help Arran and Cumbrae thrive economically, socially and environmentally. We are working hard to support our island communities by creating opportunities that will help residents and businesses to prosper. I am really looking forward to attending the first Islands Economy Showcase This event offers a great opportunity for businesses to connect with the Scottish Government’s policy makers to explain their successes and the ongoing challenges they face as an island employer. It is vital that the voices of our island communities of Arran and Cumbrae are heard, and I have no doubt that the six enterprises representing North Ayrshire are relishing the chance to be involved in such a high-profile event. The people attending on behalf of our Arran and Cumbrae businesses will be perfectly placed to discuss things like transport and funding issues and highlight what is working well.”
Quote from:Sponsored by Loganair, NorthLink Ferries, and the Scottish Rural Network, this special event will also facilitate inter-island networking and provide valuable insights for MSPs and key stakeholders on the economic potential of the islands.
This showcase highlights the resilience and innovation of island communities, from thriving local industries to emerging sectors such as marine energy, sustainable tourism, food production, and more.
It’s an opportunity for MSPs to hear directly from island businesses about their challenges and opportunities, supporting policy decisions that reflect the realities of island life.
The showcase underscores the importance of island communities in shaping Scotland’s economic landscape.
As the backbone of many local economies, islands contribute significantly to sectors ranging from fishing and agriculture to tourism and renewable energy.
The event is a chance to celebrate the resilience of island businesses and discuss the ways in which these enterprises can continue to thrive and grow. And it aims to drive sustainable growth and ensure the future success of Scotland’s islands.
Alastair Dobson, Managing Director of Arran Dairies and Taste of Arran, said: “The inaugural Islands Economy Showcase offers a platform to debate how to improve outcomes for our island communities by fostering sustainable economic activity.
“It is our collective responsibility to help the Scottish Government understand the unique challenges and opportunities of each island economy, as each one—such as Arran and Cumbrae—has its own specific needs.
“We are proud to represent North Ayrshire’s islands and to discuss the critical issues facing businesses on Arran and other islands.
“Our focus will be on identifying opportunities to support the creativity and resilience of island businesses and communities, helping them recover from the challenges of Covid, Brexit and ongoing ferry issues.
“We also welcome the North Ayrshire Islands Programme’s strategic development and its first stage implementation.”