The disproportionate impact of recent global energy shocks on rural and island Scotland

This short report examines recent global energy shocks and an increase in the price of heating oil, with a disproportionate impact on rural and island Scotland. Analysis of data from Scotland's Census 2022 reveals the higher reliance on oil central heating by households in remote rural island and mainland areas of Scotland. Findings include that 33% of occupied households in island remote rural areas, 35% of occupied households in mainland very remote rural areas and 32% of occupied households in mainland remote rural areas have oil central heating, compared with 5% of households nationally.

Maps are presented of household reliance on heating oil at data zone and local authority level in Scotland. These highlight areas of the country which have a higher percentage of households with oil central heating. At local authority level, this includes approximately 37% of occupied households in Na h-Eileanan Siar.