Deep into the night, a team of five men diligently worked at a shellfish processing plant in the remote northwest of Scotland. Their task: carefully sorting live langoustines and preparing them for shipment in polystyrene boxes, bound for markets across France, Italy, and Spain.
During peak seasons, Scot West Seafoods, the company operating the facility, could easily double its workforce – if only they could find enough people to hire, as their operations manager lamented.
“We understand our unique position in this distant corner of the world,” explained Xohan Dios, the manager, referring to Kyle of Lochalsh, a picturesque village surrounded by towering hills and serene lochs. “Truly, the only resource we are lacking is people.”
The persistent labor shortage has forced Scot West Seafoods to halt prawn processing entirely at this remote facility, located near the bridge to the stunning Isle of Skye. The company has even considered relocating its entire packing operation four hours south to Glasgow, where a larger pool of potential employees awaits.
Across Britain, much like in many other Western nations, anti-immigration sentiment is gaining traction. Reform U.K., the populist right-wing party led by Nigel Farage, has seen a significant rise in popularity, even surpassing the ruling Labour Party in recent polls. They’ve boldly stated intentions to deport 600,000 undocumented immigrants should they come to power. In response to Reform’s growing influence, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has introduced new policies aimed at reducing both legal and illegal migration into Britain.
While Scotland’s overall population is experiencing growth, several of its regions are battling a severe labor crisis. This shortage is stifling businesses, depriving communities of vital services, and even forcing the closure of rural schools as residents leave. This stark contrast between the UK government’s aim to drastically reduce national immigration figures and the urgent need for workers in specific Scottish regions presents a significant challenge for local policymakers.
In May, Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, voiced concerns that the restrictive immigration policies implemented by the British government could severely jeopardize Scotland’s economic well-being. He highlighted the potential threat to essential care systems for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Echoing these concerns, Torcuil Crichton, a Scottish Labour Party lawmaker, has advocated for a specialized work visa scheme designed for migrants willing to work in remote Scottish regions.
Mr. Dios identified several key reasons for the recruitment difficulties: a scarcity of affordable housing for employees, the repercussions of Brexit which abolished the automatic right to hire from the European Union, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led many eligible migrants to return to their home countries.
“Everyone is desperately seeking staff,” he remarked. “Whether you speak to hotel owners, restaurant managers, coffee shop proprietors, or even those running fishing boats – they all face the exact same predicament.”
Post-Brexit, a significant influx of legal immigrants from outside the EU saw arrivals in Britain soar to over 900,000 in the year leading up to June 2023. However, the Conservative government at the time implemented measures to reduce these figures, resulting in a decrease to approximately 430,000 over the course of 2024.
“Rural Scotland as a whole is grappling with a severe depopulation crisis,” stated Mr. Crichton, who represents the Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan an Iar). He pointed out that some factories in his area struggle to find workers, and numerous restaurants are forced to operate only from Thursday to Sunday due to staff shortages. “It’s crucial that we challenge, through Labour values, the misconception that Britain is somehow ‘full,’” he urged. “Several economic sectors are performing at only half capacity because we simply don’t have enough workers.”
Mr. Crichton attributed the ongoing departure of younger residents from his region to several factors: a scarcity of affordable housing, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare services. The population of the Western Isles, currently at 26,200, has seen a 5.5% decline since 2011.
The problem of depopulation is worsening as families face difficulties in securing childcare, pushing more people to relocate. Data from the Scottish government reveals that 147 rural schools have closed since 2007. In response, the government introduced a comprehensive strategy last year to address this critical issue.
The Scottish government, headquartered in Edinburgh and responsible for domains such as healthcare, transportation, and certain tax matters, is eager to gain control over immigration policies within its own borders.
Currently, these immigration decisions are made in London, where the UK government dictates migration policy for the entire United Kingdom.
John Swinney’s ruling Scottish National Party, which advocates for Scotland’s independence from the UK, has put forth a proposal for a dedicated visa for migrants who wish to work in Scotland. This initiative could feature a pilot program for rural visas, initially limiting employment to specific geographic areas for four years, alongside a Scottish graduate visa, enabling international students to remain and work in Scotland for two years post-graduation.
However, with Reform U.K.’s consistent lead in opinion polls, London shows minimal interest in adopting such proposals. During a parliamentary debate last year, when questioned about Mr. Crichton’s idea for work visas specific to rural Scottish areas, Seema Malhotra, then a Home Office minister, stated that there was “currently no legal basis to do so, even if we wanted to.” Interestingly, while Nigel Farage once encountered significant opposition in Scotland, Reform U.K. now enjoys the support of approximately one-fifth of Scottish voters, according to recent surveys.
Sheila Peteranna, manager of the Borrodale Hotel on South Uist, one of the Western Isles, shared her struggles in attracting young employees to such an isolated spot, compounded by an unreliable ferry service to the mainland. “Young people don’t want to reside on the island because they desire to travel for concerts, theater, or football matches – the activities normal young adults enjoy,” she explained. “They wish to have those same experiences, and you can’t fault them at that age.” She also mentioned that her own two adult children intend to relocate to the mainland.
South Uist, like many other Scottish regions, boasts a rich history shaped by migration. Ms. Peteranna herself can trace her family’s lineage back to a migrant who was shipwrecked on the island, likely sometime in the eighteenth century.
The region where she resides has also faced significant challenges in attracting highly qualified professionals, particularly medical staff. Last year, despite successfully recruiting five family doctors, they had to provide an attractive annual salary package ranging from £150,000 to £160,000 (approximately $198,000 to $210,000), a figure considerably higher than the typical remuneration for similar roles across Scotland.
At Scot West Seafoods, employee Andrew Powrie, 40, emphasized that the most pressing local issue is the lack of affordable housing. “It’s virtually impossible for anyone to purchase their own home here due to the exorbitant costs,” he stated.
He further elaborated that on the picturesque Isle of Skye, his place of residence, property owners achieve far greater profits by renting to tourists. “For locals, it’s largely a nightmare situation,” he commented. He added that most young people tend to “attend college and then promptly move to cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Aberdeen, as career prospects are scarce here.”