A specific strategy for remote rural area
The more I think about it (and I've worked in rural development), the more I feel that (remote) rural communities may have been disproportionately affected by the Corona virus lockdown. Many communities may have managed to keep the actual virus at bay, but the effect of the lockdown is felt even harder. Many people in the land-based sectors have been furloughed, because (conservation) businesses and organisations are not expected to get the income from tourism they are dependent on. Tourism business (many of them small) similarly cannot do business. Yet, I am also thinking of the many people who receive their income from many odd jobs, e.g. cleaners of holiday lets, who are not getting the income they expected. As their income structure is much less straightforward (a typical feature for income in remote rural areas), I expect it will be much harder for them to access government grant schemes. Rural poverty is real and the lockdown - despite the economic measures - is only likely to increase that poverty.
On this website about how to come out of lockdown there have been a lot of posts from people with second homes, static caravans and campervans stating that they want to be allowed to access rural areas again 'to restart the rural economy'. I don't think it is that straightforward. Rural healthcare is fragile and there is a genuine fear that the virus will be spread by receiving visitors. The virus and lockdown has made us all aware how health and care workers, as well as people working in shops, delivery drivers, etc., are key to the functioning of society. Yet, they are the lowest paid. Likewise, the cleaners, waiters, shop assistants dependent on the tourism sector are among the lowest paid. By opening up rural Scotland we risk creating yet another group of low paid workers at the frontline. What's more, many of them (like their urban care worker and shop assistant counterparts) will feel they have no choice, but to welcome tourists as they desperately need the income to feed their family. This is about the haves and the have-nots. There are power relations involved in the call to open up rural Scotland for second home owners and tourists from England. Rural communities may feel they have no choice. Eventually, there may also be a backlash. It may further us-against-them thinking - urban versus rural and England against Scotland - and that won't help any of us. I urge the Scottish Government to assess their policies from a rural development perspective, and to develop a strategy to support remote rural areas.
On this website about how to come out of lockdown there have been a lot of posts from people with second homes, static caravans and campervans stating that they want to be allowed to access rural areas again 'to restart the rural economy'. I don't think it is that straightforward. Rural healthcare is fragile and there is a genuine fear that the virus will be spread by receiving visitors. The virus and lockdown has made us all aware how health and care workers, as well as people working in shops, delivery drivers, etc., are key to the functioning of society. Yet, they are the lowest paid. Likewise, the cleaners, waiters, shop assistants dependent on the tourism sector are among the lowest paid. By opening up rural Scotland we risk creating yet another group of low paid workers at the frontline. What's more, many of them (like their urban care worker and shop assistant counterparts) will feel they have no choice, but to welcome tourists as they desperately need the income to feed their family. This is about the haves and the have-nots. There are power relations involved in the call to open up rural Scotland for second home owners and tourists from England. Rural communities may feel they have no choice. Eventually, there may also be a backlash. It may further us-against-them thinking - urban versus rural and England against Scotland - and that won't help any of us. I urge the Scottish Government to assess their policies from a rural development perspective, and to develop a strategy to support remote rural areas.
Why the contribution is important
The impact of the lockdown may be felt differently and harsher in remote rural areas than in accessible rural and urban areas.
by petrav on May 11, 2020 at 09:14AM
Posted by Dave_H May 11, 2020 at 09:43
I have been arguing for a lot more freedom to do outdoor activities where I live in the highlands, something we have space to do here without coming into contact with others.
Perhaps the SG are resisting these suggestions because they only fear lots of people in the central belt all trying to do things outdoors and falling over each other?
So yes the rules need to fit the reality of what is possible and safe in a particular location.
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Posted by sheenaduboust May 11, 2020 at 13:00
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Posted by Leigh May 11, 2020 at 13:38
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Posted by CarolineS May 11, 2020 at 15:05
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Posted by rscot May 11, 2020 at 16:38
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Posted by livingin_hope May 11, 2020 at 19:50
Living in a remote rural community and working in tourism ( well before Covid I did) we had more Scottish visitors than any other nationality ( followed by English and then a real mix).
There is a lot of fear within rural communities and understandably so but what is required is support to protect the communities but also allow the businesses and the people that live within them get on with their lives and earn money safely as lock down is slowly eased.
There are many practical things that can be done that help allay a lot of the fears - increased medical support based within the communities, extra ambulances based within the communities, visitors could be required to have pre- booked accommodation in advance (goes against the Right to Roam but as a temporary measure it should be acceptable) - therefore camper vans, motorhomes, campers can still come but they must stay on a site they have prebooked. Shops can declare if they are for local supply or can cope with visitors and locals. If tourists can travel to rural areas then locals can travel out of them and they will not be wholly dependent on the small local stores as they currently are during lockdown. Clear guidance on how to clean properties not just for the guests safety but the workers safety.
Rural communities cannot be mothballed until vaccine is developed, they have to be helped to carry on and there is no reason why this cannot happen - just takes a bit of time, thought and support.
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