This session, the Committee heard about significant issues of inequality in rural settings.
These included:
A 2024 report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission also highlighted threats to human rights in rural Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. The report found that people in rural Scotland faced challenges with:
During the inquiry the Committee explored the impact of rurality on these five issues.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee undertook the following engagement activities as part of its inquiry:
Monday 10 November 2025 - Visit to Blairgowrie
Meetings were held at Wisecraft and the Blairgowrie and Rattray Initiative, with an additional visit to the Rattray Community Garden. The visit was supported by the Third Sector Interface (Perth and Kinross) and PKAVS (Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services).
Notes from engagement visit 10 November 2025 (111KB, pdf) posted 04 December 2025
The Committee published its report on 20 February 2026.
The Committee received a response to its report from the Scottish Government on 23 March 2026.
Read the Scottish Government's response to the Committee report
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter from the Minister for Equalities, 23 March 2026
Written submission from the Poverty Alliance, 9 January 2026
Letter from the Minister for Equalities, 17 December 2025
Written submission from Katie Boyle, Professor of Human Rights Law and Social Justice, University of Strathclyde, 4 December 2025
Written submission from Professor Jill Robbie, University of Glasgow and Dr Elizabeth Lawson, University of Newcastle: human right to water, water scarcity and pollution events, 2 December 2025
Written submission from Councillor Geva Blackett, Aberdeenshire Council, 19 November 2025