A NEW survey to provide insight into Covid-19's impact on Scotland's rural areas launched this week.

The poll - organised by the University of Edinburgh – will investigate the psychological, social and financial effects of the pandemic in rural areas, where one in six people in Scotland live and work.

With many studies on the pandemic focussing on city dwellers and urban industries, this survey aims to give rural communities a voice in how to best deal with policies that directly affect them.

Rural communities were spared the high infection rates and number of deaths seen in urban areas during the first wave, but still faced travel restrictions, reduced access to healthcare, and economic uncertainty.

Researchers will ask a variety of questions on themes such as quality of broadband connections, tourism and health and wellbeing.

Concerns about access to medical appointments, using public transport and thoughts on video and telephone appointments will also be gauged.

Digital Consultant and Tiree crofter Rhoda Meek, established a social enterprise called isle20.com during Lockdown to allow businesses in the Scottish islands that were dependent on tourism to sell their wares online. She is part of the advisory group for RuralCovidLife: “It's so important to hear the rural perspective about the last few months, and it's great the survey is here to do that," she said. "Covid-19 has been challenging no matter where you live, and rural areas which have a greater than average reliance on tourism have had a very unique set of circumstances. It's been incredible to watch communities pulling together, and see innovation in action, with people willing to adapt their business models and try new things. Hopefully the results of the survey will be a great basis from which to learn and to build for the future."

The 'RuralCovidLife' survey is open to anyone over the age of 16 living in a rural area of Scotland.

For more information go to www.ruralcovidlife.scot