A Welfare Approach to Rural Geography: Contrasting Perspectives on the Quality of Highland Life

This paper adopts a welfare approach to examine key aspects of the human geography of the Scottish Highlands. The potential utility of such an approach is discussed in the context of changing patterns of economic and social development. It is emphasized that recent economic change associated with tourism, retirement migration and the exploitation of North Sea oil has precipitated important changes in spatial patterns of social well-being. The central focus of the paper is an examination of social well-being in the Ross and Cromarty area, with particular emphasis on two case-study areas, Ullapool and Evanton: the former is an area which is dependent on tourism, fishing and hill farming, the latter an area which has experienced the immediate impact of oil-related development. Evidence is presented which illuminates not only the objective circumstances of people's lives but also their own assessment of specific aspects of life in the Highlands.