Why do so many young people feel they have to leave the Scottish Highlands?

Will Sadler’s first question when he visits Farr High School in Mackay Country isn’t what makes the students want to leave - but what makes them want to stay?

He explores how romantic stereotypes of a wild, empty landscape clash with the young people’s lived reality that places people at the very centre of their experience.

He’ll find out how traumatic historical events such as the Highland Clearances mean that the question of whether to leave or to stay is nothing new.

He will discover why, despite the challenges of rural life, a strong sense of community and connection to place remains the most powerful reason for young people to call this beautiful part of the world their home.

Highlands Reimagined is an Anya Media production, commissioned by Strathnaver Museum and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast. Find out more at highlandsreimagined.com

While community is a powerful reason to stay, if young people do feel the need to leave, then what might encourage them to return?

After exploring their deep connection to home, the students of Farr High School now confront the reasons they might have to leave.

To understand their options, they get firsthand accounts from two people who made the journey back, learning what it takes to forge a career here.

The students also tackle the tough issue of affordable housing in a frank conversation with a local council officer.

This episode gets to the heart of what needs to change for the next generation to build a future in Mackay Country.

Highlands Reimagined is an Anya Media production, commissioned by Strathnaver Museum and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast. Find out more at highlandsreimagined.com

Who holds the power to shape the future of Mackay Country?

In this final episode, the students of Farr High School are determined to find out.

They take their questions about land ownership and how it impacts all of the issues we’ve discussed so far directly to the Scottish Land Commission. 

They learn from an Irish island community’s inspiring story how high-speed broadband could create new tech jobs in Mackay Country.

From debating wind farms to designing new ways for their voices to be heard, the students explore how their generation can take control and build a future from the ground up.

Highlands Reimagined is an Anya Media production, commissioned by Strathnaver Museum and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast. Find out more at highlandsreimagined.com

Listen to this if you’d like to hear more from Highlands Reimagined!


Highlands Reimagined is an Anya Media production, commissioned by Strathnaver Museum and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast. Find out more at highlandsreimagined.com