Professor Mike Danson in The Conversation on island resilience and human capital as exemplified by the community of Eigg.
“In March, after a short fieldwork trip to Eigg, I found myself stormbound for three days. Ferries only land every other day, so this enforced delay confirmed how vulnerable and yet resilient such communities are. That the people of Eigg can take such disruption in their stride is testimony to islanders’ resilience generally, but it also demonstrated the capacity to accommodate visitors, to ensure those living alone were kept warm, fed and well.”
“What was revealed was the rich human capital, the resourcefulness of the people of Eigg and the way in which the residents led by the Trust have grown into managing and developing this community. Work and incomes are critical to the survival of such communities, yet the islanders voted against a fish farm development in line with their Green Eigg eco-commitment.”
Read full article here: Danson, M 2017 What other communities can learn from this islander buy-out in Scotland’s Hebrides, The Conversation 7th April 2017
Scottish Centre for Island Studies 