Arran quality of life is third highest in Scotland
The quality of life on Arran has been measured as being the third highest in Scotland.
Last year, the Arran Economic Group commissioned a survey which drew responses from 254 residents to find out how people felt about the quality of life on the island.
Questions were based on standard quality of life metrices, used across Scotland.
The group would like to thank all residents for participating in the survey and take this opportunity to share some of the very positive survey findings.
The results of the survey were compared with infor-
mation from the 32 local authority areas in Scotland, with overall results placing Arran third across all local authorities.
Orkney came out on top, with East Dunbartonshire in second place.
The survey revealed the following aspects of island life:
❒ Very few people experienced problems of vandalism or graffiti.
❒ Very few problems in terms of noisy neighbours or loud parties.
❒ Excellent community safety, especially people feeling safe at night.
❒ Very good ratings of personal health.
❒ Very low smoking rate, eight per cent.
❒ Very high degree of community involvement through community groups and/or charities.
❒ Widespread feelings of ‘belonging’ in the community.
❒ Low level of people in financial difficulty (six per cent).
But while the above shows many positives and prove how great a quality of life local people enjoy, there were also some negatives identified:
❒ A total of 82 per cent were dissatisfied with the island’s roads.
❒ A third, or 33 per cent, had a recent negative experience due to animal nuisance or littering.
❒ Lack of ferry spaces, road traffic and pressure on services due to tourism were the main challenges felt to arise from increased island tourism.
Tourism, on balance, is very well supported across the island, although it was felt additional pressure was put on services and infrastructure with residents suggesting additional funding is allocated to maintain and improve facilities to reinforce a good visitor and resident experience.
The AEG will be running the survey again later in the year and will be extending the current survey group.
It hopes that anyone who receives a survey form will take the time to give it their opinions so that any changes in the quality of island life can be identified, helping the AEG partners and stakeholders direct their efforts where they are most needed.