Highlands village hit by depopulation looking for new residents to boost local area The residents of a village in the Scottish Highlands are looking for families, couples and individuals to repopulate the area. The village of Edderton, in East Sutherland has experienced some population decline over the last few decades and now its inhabitants are on the hunt for new neighbours. Local resident and farmer Ewen Simpson said: “We need young families, not just in Edderton, but across the Highlands.” “In Edderton in the 1970s, we had a post office, a shop, we even had petrol pumps outside the shop at one point, and the pub, all of which is gone now, which does take the heart out of a community,” he added. “That will all change again, we’ll get there again.”
Edderton, near Tain, is suffering from population decline. Photos: Fiona Munro THE residents of a village in the Scottish Highlands which has fallen victim to depopulation over the last few decades are calling for “families, couples and individuals to help reinvigorate” their community. The drive to bring new life to the East Sutherland village has been handed a huge boost after land was gifted for community development by Caledonia Forestry Ltd. The development on the land at Edderton, a short stroll from the renowned Dornoch Firth, will include around seven affordable homes of mixed tenures, including discounted self-build plots. The Communities Housing Trust (CHT), who work closely with communities across central and northern Scotland to provide affordable housing and other amenities, are currently conducting two Housing Needs Surveys with the support of Edderton Community Council.