Islanders are being offered the opportunity to help shape the future of a new app which encourages people to explore more of Scotland’s islands for more of the year. 

The Scottish Islands Passport app was developed by islanders and spans 72 islands from Unst to Arran.  Whilst a pilot was run in Shetland last autumn, plans to launch the full app in 2020 were delayed by the pandemic. The app is currently being promoted on-island and to those already travelling, with plans to use it to promote wider sustainable travel to islands who would welcome more visitors as we emerge from the pandemic.

The app connects people with islands they might like to visit by matching their interests with a database of over 700 activities and experiences offered by different islands. Users can also collect passport ‘stamps’ (designed by local artists) for islands they visit, and collect and share photos of their trips.

The team worked with locals to collect content on all islands in early 2020 but are keen to hear if island residents have any suggestions that would improve the information they provide about Orkney to help visitors plan their trips, and also to make sure they are highlighting what islanders think is important about their own community.

Longer term, the project team is looking at ways to promote island businesses and community initiatives to visitors, including the potential to allow visitors to donate to local charities, and encouraging people to buy from island businesses even after they have travelled home.

The Scottish Islands Passport app is available to download for free from Google Play and the Apple Store and there is a link in the ‘more’ section of the app to provide suggestions for amendments or additions. 

The Scottish Islands Passport Project is a LEADER and Scottish Government project delivered by HITRANS from their office on the Isle of Jura using paid support from a range of islanders. You can find out more about the project at www.islands.scot.

See also: Islands Passport: Explore Scotland All Year Round