Three rural local authorities are part of a newly-published plan to address depopulation and help future-proof communities.

Projections show that Scotland’s population is set to fall from 2033, with fourteen local authority areas projected to experience population decline over the next decade.

The Scottish Government says the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan will set out its strategy to support people to live, work and raise families in the places affected – many of which are rural and island areas.

A £180,000 Addressing Depopulation Fund will initially help three acutely affected local authorities trial ways of retaining and attracting people to their communities. The projects to receive funds will be announced later this year.

Part-funding has been provided this financial year by the Scottish Government for Community Settlement Officers in Argyll & Bute, Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, enabling them to continue supporting people living in or moving to those areas.

Part-funding for these roles has also been put forward for the next financial year, as well as support for a Community Settlement Officer to be established in Inverclyde.

Dumfries and Galloway Council will receive £30,000 to research the causes of local population decline, to inform the development of future policy interventions.

Launching the plan at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, Migration Minister Emma Roddick said:

“The factors that lead to depopulation are complex and interdependent, and every place is affected differently. This plan cuts right across government – in policy areas including housing, healthcare, transport and education – to help deliver solutions that address the needs of individual areas.

“Local leaders, councils and organisations are the people who know their communities best – that’s why this plan commits to channelling community expertise and backing a range of local-led initiatives. This will not only benefit the places leading these projects, but could also generate learnings that can be applied elsewhere.

“Bringing together new actions with a programme of ongoing government work, these steps will underpin our work to ensure every place in Scotland is equipped with the population it needs to thrive into the future.”

Scottish Tory rural affairs spokesperson Rachael Hamilton said the funding "will barely scratch the surface on rectifying the failures of the SNP-Green government which have accelerated the depopulation of rural Scotland.

“Nowhere in their announcement is there even an attempt to accept responsibility for how they have let down those living and working in Scotland’s rural communities at every turn.

“From the ferries scandal and failure to upgrade trunk roads serving remote Scotland, to a lack of housing in rural areas, breaking their promise on superfast broadband and standing idly by as GP practices have closed, SNP-Green ministers’ decisions have been a huge factor in people leaving rural Scotland.

“It is clear that ministers are still completely unwilling to take the bold and necessary actions to persuade people to live and work in rural Scotland and grow the local economy."

Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone slammed the report. He said: "“I wish the Scottish Government pursued the delivery of reliable local health services with the enthusiasm that it launches reports which never lead to anything.

“People who live in the Highlands and islands have been clear about what we need. That starts with improved roads, universal fast broadband and the provision of homes so that local people are not forced out of the area. Simply badging up the government’s existing work as a plan for the future and calling it a day massively undersells the scale of the challenge.”