Skye ‘not a real island’ because of bridge claim
● Misty Isle is to be included in new bill to help islands
An MSP has suggested Skye is not a “real island” since a bridge connects it to the mainland.
The SNP’S John Mason raised the query at a Holyrood committee examining a proposed law on island communities. He questioned whether Skye should be included in the legislation, since he claimed it does not have the transport problems of “real islands”.
The Islands Bill plans to create a national islands plan.
An MSP has questioned whether Skye is a “real island” as it has been connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge for more than 20 years.
John Mason, the SNP representative for Glasgow Shettleston, suggested that Skye did not have the same transport problems as other islands as it did not rely mainly on ferries.
The MSP raised the issue at a hearing of the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee, which is examining plans for a new law on island communities. The Islands Bill aims to hand greater powers to councils, including the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, so they can better manage their own affairs.
Ministers have described the legislation as “historic” and say it will allow future government policies to be tested so they are “island-proof” before being rolled out.
But Mr Mason questioned whether Skye should qualify. “Was it unanimous that something like Skye should be included?” he asked. “Surely Skye doesn’t have the problems of ferries, transport that real islands do?” Committee convener Edward Mountain replied: “I’m sure, as we’ll all agree, that Skye is a real island.”
Darren Dickson from the Islands Bill team later confirmed that Skye was included on the list of inhabited islands covered by the legislation.
“It is quite surprising because we’ve actually had it asked of us three times whether Skye is covered by the bill,” he said.
“People obviously aren’t reading the explanatory notes very clearly because it’s quite clearly stated in the explanatory notes Skye is included... Skye is definitely on that list.”
The Skye Bridge has connected Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to the village of Kyleakin since 1995. A toll was initially charged before being abolished in 2004.
After the meeting, the SNP MSP for Skye Kate Forbes said she was “sure” that Mr Mason knew that it was a real island, “just as Glasgow is a real city”.
She added: “I certainly cross water to get there. Otherwise we would have to rewrite the ‘Skye Boat Song’. Ferry and transport problems are the tip of the iceberg, and there is a huge amount of work to do on the roads infrastructure for tourism, not to mention affordable housing and connectivity. That’s why I’m so pleased the Scottish Government is bringing forward the Islands Bill, as it will make a huge difference to places like Skye.”