Food availability and choice in rural Scotland: the impact of “place”

This paper comprises an examination of a connection between geographical remoteness and isolation, and food availability and choice amongst the local populations. The paper focuses on three locations within the Highlands and Islands: the Western Isles, Upper Loch Torridon, and the rural areas surrounding Thurso. Following an outline of the research projects and their methodology, selected results are presented, focusing on the contemporary diet, and food choice and availability. The paper concludes with a discussion concerning the extent to which the data from the three rural case studies support a relationship between “place” and food choice, and makes recommendations concerning future policy and research issues.