Sponsored by Ecology Building Society and Highlands Rewilding, this year’s conference is titled ‘Our Rural Future’ and will explore housing as a part of a holistic vision for a sustainable rural future. With webinars and workshops looking at a wide variety of on-the-ground work, policy and practical support, Rural Housing Scotland hopes to inspire, encourage and support sustainable rural development.

The line-up includes contributions from Scottish Government housing minister Shona Robison MSP, and convenor of the Scottish Parliament Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, Green MSP, Ariane Burgess.

As well as hearing from Scottish Government ministers, the conference will include a series of webinars presented by speakers with experience and expertise on rural issues and workshops to prompt constructive discussion on ideas and ambitions for rural futures.

Derek Logie, chief executive of Rural Housing Scotland, said: “We are really looking forward to bringing together communities at the crux of the housing crisis and policy specialists, with the aim of learning from each other, as well as providing useful recommendations for action and demonstrating the potential rural living can offer for the future.”

Project officer, Sam Foster, added: “Housing has a key role to play in our efforts to ‘future-proof’ rural areas, both in terms of climate resilience and population. We are pleased that this year’s online conference will showcase some innovative and ambitious efforts across rural Scotland to counter depopulation and to encourage sustainable community development, as well as providing an opportunity to learn about and discuss the policy initiatives that are shaping rural futures.”

For more information and for details on how to register, please visit the Rural Housing Scotland website.