COVID-19 has seen a rise in house buyers seeking a lifestyle change, with the ability to work remotely, there has been an increase in purchases, sometimes paying 30 per cent over the valuation of a property.

Reporter Andrew Mackinnon looks at whether second home purchases and a high housing market are having a detrimental effect on the aspirations of young people who want to make their homes in the Hebrides.

Eòrpa will speak with a resident of Uist, Pàdruig Morrison, who is part of a group who have written an open letter to ‘save the islands from an economic clearance’, with their growing concerns of rising house prices which sees many of the young generation being out-bid by wealthier purchasers, often from the mainland.

The group would like to see a local scheme put in place where houses are initially advertised locally, this will give the community the opportunity for first refusal, or to purchase a property before it enters the general market.

Much progress has also been made in the supply of affordable rented or shared equity housing but some say these are concentrated in established centres of population and more should be built in outlying districts.

Eòrpa also speaks to Lewis-based lawyer, Maggie Mackay, about recent local house-buying trends and why intervening in the open housing market could be difficult.

Kate and Seumas Macleod, a brother and sister from Uig in Lewis, talk about the challenges young people face if they want to continue to live in the area.

Norman MacDonald, convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, points out that the housing issue in the Western Isles is complex - a lot of second or holiday homes  belong to local families who earn an income from them which benefits the local economy.

The programme also features a contribution from Norwegian researcher Kjell Overvåg, University of Agder, Norway, who explains the system of obligation of residency which operates in some areas of the country and is aimed at preventing the use of local housing as second homes.

Eòrpa is on BBC ALBA tonight at 8.30pm and is available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.