Island Context

To provide context and inform the potential island drivers of demand for ferry travel, the key features of the community in question should be set out / mapped, including provision for:

  • Delivery of the various forms of health and social care services (e.g., health visitors / nurse / GP / cottage hospital / general hospital / dentist etc).
  • Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education.
  • Retail: food and non-food.
  • Fuel: petrol, diesel, electric vehicle charge points etc.
  • Personal services: e.g., banking, post office etc.
  • Leisure: e.g., swimming pool, cinema etc.
  • Key industries, particularly those which place a significant demand on the ferry service (e.g., manufacturing and construction).
  • Any other service of relevance to the island in question, e.g., veterinary practice, Council offices, utilities, trades etc.

This can be done through a combination of desk-based research and any primary research or stakeholder engagement undertaken.

The availability of services and opportunities on-island is largely shaped by the size of the permanent island population and the proximity (or otherwise) of such services on the ‘mainland’ (which in some cases will be another island). The way in which people access services will be combination of:

  • (a) On island – from a provider / supplier permanently based there.
  • (b) On island – from a provider / supplier travelling to the island or delivered to the island .
  • (c) Off-island travel – by ferry.
  • (d) Off-island travel – by air.

For each service on each island, the means by which these are delivered / accessed should be established. Where services are only provided off-island, the location of these should be noted and supplemented by a commentary on travel options and journey times.

There is also benefit in reviewing the relevant Local Development Plan and / or engaging with the local authority / Community Planning Partnerships, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and island stakeholders (including haulage firms, developers, trade bodies etc) to understand any forthcoming developments or projects that would have a significant bearing on the ferry service, e.g., windfarm construction, new school or hospital projects etc.