Produced by the Diffley Partnership in partnership with Homes for Scotland and other organisations, Scotland’s Rural Voice examines the issues that matter most to those living in remote and rural areas as they face challenges from an ageing and, in some areas, shrinking population.

According to the survey, six in ten (61%) rural Scots are supportive of new housing being built in their local area. This figure rises to three in four (75%) of those in remote rural areas, perhaps reflecting the disproportionate impact of lack of available housing in remote rural areas.

The report also highlights the local impact of home building in rural communities:

• 1 in 2 (51%) believe that economic growth is limited by the availability of housing
• 6 in 10 (60%) say that home building provides work for small businesses in their area
• 6 in 10 (61%) report that more new build homes that are energy efficient and warm are needed in their area.

These findings emerge amidst a backdrop of current challenges for rural households. Nearly two in three (63%) rural residents are experiencing at least one challenge with their housing, compared to the 58% of urban residents who say the same.

Notable challenges include 1 in 3 (32%) struggling financially due to their home’s high running costs, and 3 in 10 (29%) struggling to keep their home warm enough in cold weather.

Crucially, rural residents are more likely to report home heating issues than their urban counterparts, where one in five say the same (29% vs 21%).

Jane Wood, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, said: “These are critical insights from rural Scots, which show that nearly half view the lack of available housing a key driver for people moving away from their communities, their work and their local economies”

“Building more new, high quality, energy efficient homes for rural communities has never been more urgent if Scotland is to reverse depopulation and improve the social and economic wellbeing of every part of the country.

“Urgent action is now needed to support the small and medium home builders, whose numbers have fallen 70% since 2007 and are so critical to employing and training people across rural communities and delivering much need rural homes.”

Mark Diffley, director at the Diffley Partnership, said: “Our newest survey makes a vital contribution to the Scottish research landscape by elevating the voice of rural communities and shedding light on the unique challenges that households face in Scotland’s countryside.

“In Partnership with Homes for Scotland, the findings show just how central housing is to the rural economy, to local businesses and to the wellbeing of communities in remote and rural areas.

“This evidence will be crucial in shaping policies that support a stronger future for rural Scotland.”