Here in Scotland it’s election time again - this time the Scottish parliament elections. 

I’ve been watching some of the TV coverage but like the vast majority of fellow Scots (it would seem) have very little interest in the outcome. 

One thing that did catch my attention last night though, was an interview with some of the candidates from Orkney - a series of islands off the most northerly tip of Scotland.

I’ve been there and though it’s a wild and beautiful place it’s pretty bleak for a lot of the year. There are no trees so the North wind blows across it unbroken.

There are around 22,000 people there and I wondered what most of them do for a living.

Apart from the obvious fishing, tourism, farming and local small businesses - what are they doing? 

Well the answer is that a lot of the islanders are making a living via the internet in one way or another.

Not surprisingly then the main political issue is broadband.

That and the cost of transport on and off the Orkney Isles are the 2 issues that will decide the election result there for sure. 

I love the fact that internet marketing skills can enable lots more people to stay in these beautiful but remote places. Traditionally young people in the highlands and islands have been forced to leave for work because the few traditional industries that exist just can’t offer them enough.

From my own experience, living in a beautiful place AND having the time to enjoy it is about as good as it gets. 

All it takes is a new set of skills that offer the modern person, young or old, a ton of flexibility and choice. 

So my vote is going to the party that will do the most to provide the most people in these small. rural communities with fast, reliable broadband. It’s like the bloodstream of the world and it should reach every part!

​​​​​​​

Cheers!