You might as well be entering another country when you spend time in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Other regions of the UK have their own unique traditions and cultural characteristics, but none where so many are rooted in survival, authentic sustainability, and the health and wellbeing of local communities. In few other locales is the need to maintain a balance between human endeavour and the natural world so crucial.

We who live in the instantly gratified central belt expect and assume delivery and access in three easy steps. In the Highlands and Islands, this often only happens over time and in uncertain instalments.

On a visit to Lewis and Harris some years ago, I encountered Brian Wilson on Stornoway Main Street. Mr Wilson, born and raised in Dunoon, would go on to be a founding editor of the West Highland Free Press which, for many years, was perhaps the most influential local independent newspaper in the UK.

Not long after embarking on a long and successful political career, he was appointed Scottish Office Minister for Education and Industry, and became Scotland’s first-ever Minister for Gaelic. This provided the impetus for the outstanding BBC Alba, and he also oversaw the establishment of the Community Land Fund, which opened the door to successful community buyouts in Highland and Island communities.

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When I met Mr Wilson, the Western Isles had just been buffeted by a spell of extreme adverse weather which had all but brought........

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