Question mark over islands' status

Bute would no longer qualify as an island

European proposals which would strip places like Skye, Muck and Rum of their island status have been attacked as "bureaucracy gone mad".

Bute faces the loss of millions of pounds worth of aid after 2006 if the move gets the green light.

The Scottish Islands Network has already voiced its opposition to the proposals.

I think it is more to be ridiculed than anything else

Councillor Drew Miller

But the European Union has claimed that islanders have nothing to fear from the plans.

Its legislative proposals spell out four criteria which would have to be met by a piece of land surrounded by water before it could be considered an island.

To be classed as an island it must not:

• have less than 50 permanent residents

• be attached to the mainland by a rigid structure

• be less than one kilometre from the mainland

• contain the capital of an EU state.

The Scottish islands which would lose their status if the proposals are approved include Skye, which is linked to the mainland by a bridge.

Portree Councillor Drew Miller told BBC Scotland: "I think it is bureaucracy gone mad.

"It is quite reassuring to know that Lord Sutch's legacy still lives on in politics.

"I think on the romantic side of things it will always be the Isle of Skye.

Skye councillors are opposed to the change

"If some person in Europe decides differently I think it is more to be ridiculed than anything else."

However, an EC spokesman said the removal of island status was no bad thing for Skye.

"We are talking of regional policy and about 30% of the European Union budget - I do not think romance has anything to do with it," he said.

"Skye has a problem as a remote area. Skye has a problem of sparsity of population and of mountainous ground.

"Thanks to the bridge it is not any more a geographical island, but I do not think it is weakening Skye's case."

Development funding

However, the proposal has angered the Scottish Islands Network, which agreed last week to write to the European commissioner stating its opposition.

The islands which would be affected because they are less than a kilometre from the mainland include Bute.

It is due to receive £4.2m in island development funding from the EC by 2006 - but would lose out on any further cash if it is no longer classed as an island.

If we are not an island what on earth are we?

George Lyon MSP

Liberal Democrat MSP George Lyon described the proposals as "utterly barmy".

"It is not just Bute that is affected, it is island communities up and down the length and breadth of Scotland.

"If we are not an island what on earth are we?" he asked.

Those losing out due to the size of their population include St Kilda, Muck and Rum.

Residents of Muck ran a tongue-in-cheek competition over the festive period to come up with a new designation should its island status be removed.

The three top suggestions were a pimple in the Atlantic, an annexe and a shipping hazard.