Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament back in 2027

Fri, 03/07/2026 - 12:39pm

Article by Scottish Rural Network

The Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament (SRIP) has officially announced that its sixth gathering – and the accompanying Scottish Rural & Islands Youth Parliament – will be held in the Scottish Borders and will take place in Autumn 2027, marking a significant milestone for rural and island communities across Scotland.

The announcement was made at this year’s Royal Highland Show, one of the country’s most prominent agricultural and rural events, providing an appropriate backdrop to highlight the continued importance of rural voices in national decision-making.

Developed and hosted by Scottish Rural Action (SRA) in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders and funded by Scottish Government, the 2027 SRIP will build on a period of strong engagement and growing momentum for rural advocacy in Scotland. In particular, organisers pointed to the success of Scotland hosting the 2025 European Rural Parliament in Inverurie, which brought international attention to the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, welcomed the announcement and emphasised the importance of sustaining this progress:

“After the success of Scotland hosting the 2025 European Rural Parliament in Inverurie, I am looking forward to seeing that momentum carried forward to Autumn 2027 with the 6th Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament and Youth Parliament.

The Scottish Government looks forward to engaging with the SRIP delegates on a range of matters, including a Rural Renewal Bill and the next stages in the implementation of the Community Wealth Building Act, and the National Islands Plan.”

Her comments underline the strategic role SRIP plays in informing national policy and ensuring that rural and island perspectives are embedded within Scotland’s legislative and economic frameworks.

The upcoming Parliament will also build on the success of the previous SRIP held in Fort William in 2023. That event brought together delegates from across Scotland’s rural and island communities, alongside policymakers, public bodies and third sector organisations.

The 2023 gathering was widely praised for its inclusive approach, strong grassroots participation and tangible policy influence. Delegates worked collaboratively to develop proposals on key issues such as transport connectivity, digital infrastructure, community empowerment and sustainable economic development.

The Fort William event also demonstrated the growing importance of youth engagement, with the Scottish Rural & Islands Youth Parliament offering a platform for younger voices to contribute meaningful ideas and priorities. This intergenerational dialogue is expected to remain a central feature of the 2027 programme.

A Platform for Rural Voices

The Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament is a unique civic initiative, designed to give people living and working in rural and island communities a direct voice in shaping policy. It brings together individuals, community groups, businesses and public sector representatives to debate issues and co-create solutions.

The inclusion of the Youth Parliament ensures that the perspectives of young people – who are vital to the long-term sustainability of rural areas – are heard and acted upon.

Artemis Pana, National Coordinator, Scottish Rural Action said:

“The SRIP is the UK’s largest participative democratic assembly. It exists for all rural and island people to have their voices heard – you do not need to be elected to take part in it. As well as influencing policy, it is about building solidarity. Communities coming together will be able to overcome any crises ahead. While we invest in policy, as civil society we also invest in pragmatism – grants fluctuate, institutions come and go but trust and collaboration have deeper roots than any budget.”

Hans Waltl, Chair of the Scottish Borders Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Local Action Group (LAG) highlighted that:

“Communities in the Scottish Borders each have a distinct history and heritage, as well as unique assets and challenges. The region provides a rich source of learning to inform discussions at the 6th SRIP. Recent years have seen profound changes for our rural and island places and the programme we design will enable us to collectively identify what future policy should look like whether you are living on Yell, in Maybole or Innerleithen.”

Looking Ahead to 2027

As planning begins for the 2027 Parliament, organisers are expected to focus on key national priorities, including:

Rural economic resilience and regeneration
Community wealth building and local ownership
Climate action and environmental sustainability
Housing, transport and connectivity

With strong backing from the Scottish Government and continued enthusiasm from rural communities, the 2027 SRIP and Youth Parliament promise to be a major milestone in shaping Scotland’s rural future.

Further details, including location, themes and participation opportunities, are expected to be announced in due course via the SRIP website (https://srip.scot/).