Orkney island seeks new residents to sustain community life
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Residents of Eday, a small island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland, are appealing for working-age families and children to move to their community.
The island, home to 120 people, hopes to fill essential roles like firefighters, carers for the elderly, and students for the local school. A recent social media post advertising two new affordable homes at a rent of £550 a month received an unexpectedly large response, with thousands of likes and comments.
The Eday Development Trust completed the three-bedroom houses to address the island’s declining population and ensure the continuation of vital services. Local councillor Mellissa Thomson expressed amazement at the public interest, noting the community’s need for new residents to maintain its way of life. Beyond the need for workers, islanders are keen to attract families with children to prevent the school from closing.
They emphasize that Eday offers opportunities for remote work, part-time jobs within the community, and a slower pace of life. The properties will be formally advertised through Orkney Islands Property Developments Ltd, who will assess candidates based on a points system designed to prioritize those who best meet the community’s needs.
