Resolving the ‘Highland Problem’: The Highlands and Islands of Scotland and the European Union

Abstract

Popular perception has historically constructed the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to be economically and socially backwards in comparison with the rest of the United Kingdom. As evoked in the phrase the ‘Highland Problem’, the area has been considered by outsiders to be beyond help and destined to remain in a state of underdevelopment and chronic depopulation. Despite the history of economic intervention in the area from the late 18th century onwards from private and government initiatives intended to alleviate poverty and bring wealth to the area, it was not until the 1980s with the implementation of sustained and tailored structural assistance from the European Union that emigration slowed and the population of the Highlands and Islands began to grow significantly. This economic success has largely been the result of not only a significant injection of capital but also the willingness of the EU to use local knowledge and collaborate with local agencies. This remarkable development, which is far from over, is being directly threatened by the Brexit phenomenon.

The (potential) impact of Brexit on UK SMEs: regional evidence and public policy implications

“…xiii Within Scotland, the revitalisation of the Highland region has been attributed to the impact EU funding has had in promoting SMEs in new industry sectors such as life sciences and food production (McCullough, 2018). According to a spokesperson for the Federation of Small Business, SMEs in Wales, North-east and the South-west have become 'very dependent on business support funded through structural funds.'…”

Feminist institutionalism and women’s political leadership in devolution era Scotland

“…Ewing found herself surrounded by representatives from other small nations in a parliament focussed on consensual rather than adversarial decision making. During her period as an MEP, Ewing was closely involved in securing European funding for Highland economic development and in getting District and Regional Councils a seat at the European table, to some extent bypassing reliance on UK government (McCullough 2018 ). Fyfe ( 2014 ) visited both the Gaza strip and Nicaragua on fraternal delegations.…”

Shocks, uncertainty and regional resilience: The case of Brexit and Scottish SMEs

“…In March 2018, there were 343,535 SMEs operating in Scotland, accounting for 99.3% of all private sector businesses and 54.9% of private sector employment (Scottish Government, 2018). Scotland is also highly dependent on EU sources of human capital and regional funding which disproportionately benefit Scottish SMEs (McCullough, 2018). 1 Given their crucial importance for the Scottish economy, SMEs are therefore a good ‘unit of analysis’ and a powerful barometer for measuring regional resilience.…”