Rural Economy: It’s Time… by Donald J R MacRae Rural Development Council Stirling Management Centre 8 th June 2009

What is Rural Scotland? *Rural – Settlements with a population of less than 3,000 Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts Settlements with population of 10,000+ Remote Rural* Accessible Rural* drive time < 30 mins. drive time > 30 mins.

Remote Rural 1,991 Accessible Rural 6,200 Rest of Scotland 12,978 Net–migration 2005/2006 Rural Scotland gaining relatively more people *Net-migration *Net-migration = in-migration minus out-migration Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts 2008.

Net–migration 2005/2006 Rural Scotland gaining relatively more people Remote Rural 0.6% 1,991 Accessible Rural 1.0% 6,200 Rest of Scotland 0.3% 12,978 *Net-migration as % of population Net-migration *Net-migration = in-migration minus out-migration Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts 2008.

Employment by Firm Size, 2007 Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts Rest of Scotland Employees Public Sector Rural Scotland – a small firm economy firms with 250+ employees firms with 0-9 employees

Employment by Firm Size, 2007 Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts Remote rural Accessible rural Rest of Scotland Employees Public Sector Rural Scotland – a small firm economy firms with 250+ employees firms with 0-9 employees

Obstacles to Success of Business Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts 2008.

Obstacles to Success of Business Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts Regulation high on list for Accessible Rural

Obstacles to Success of Business Source: Rural Scotland Key Facts 2008.

Degree of Diversification and GDP per Capita Levels Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). High Degree of Diversification Low

Degree of Diversification from Primary Sector and GDP per Capita Growth Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). High Degree of Diversification Low

New VAT Registrations as % of Stock (end 2007) Source: BERR (2008). Rural? Rural Scotland – lower business birth rate?

Rural Scotland Challenges Sparsity of population Poorer access to markets Absence of critical mass Limited housing supply Limited number of entrepreneurs.

Rural Scotland Opportunities Renewables ‘local’ Tourism Life quality.

Performance of Scottish Predominantly Rural Regions among OECD Predominantly Rural Regions Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth ( ) GDP per capita PPP 2004 at 2000 prices (£)

Performance of Scottish Predominantly Rural Regions among OECD Predominantly Rural Regions Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth ( ) GDP per capita PPP 2004 at 2000 prices (£) OECD (27) average(1.6%) OECD (27) average(18,500) % growth

Performance of Scottish Predominantly Rural Regions among OECD Predominantly Rural Regions Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth ( ) GDP per capita PPP 2004 at 2000 prices (£) Scotland (2.4%) Scotland (26,250) OECD (27) average(1.6%) OECD (27) average(18,500) % growth

Scotland predominantly urban Performance of Scottish Predominantly Rural Regions among OECD Predominantly Rural Regions Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth ( ) GDP per capita PPP 2004 at 2000 prices (£) Edinburgh City Glasgow City Scotland (2.4%) Scotland (26,250) OECD (27) average(1.6%) OECD (27) average(18,500) % growth

Scotland predominantly urban Scotland predominantly rural Performance of Scottish Predominantly Rural Regions among OECD Predominantly Rural Regions Source: OECD Rural Policy Reviews, Scotland, UK (2008). GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth ( ) GDP per capita PPP 2004 at 2000 prices (£) Shetland Isles Perth & Kinross, Stirling Scottish Borders Edinburgh City Glasgow City Inverness & Nairn, Moray, Badenoch & Strathspey Caithness & Sutherland. Ross & Cromarty Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh, Argyll and the IslandsWestern Isles Dumfries & Galloway Scotland (2.4%) Scotland (26,250) OECD (27) average(1.6%) OECD (27) average(18,500) % growth