This thesis examines arts development and policy in rural Scotland in recent years. In this formerly unexplored field, it looks at the relationship between arts policy and arts development practice in rural Scotland and the impacts and (dis)connections that the nationwide arts policy has had on arts in rural Scotland, particularly during a period of major change in Scottish arts policy between 2010 and 2013. Nine rural regions with a population density of under 30 people per kilometre2 as of 2009 were selected as the key geographic regions in this research: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. Examples and data on particular regions, arts organisations and events were drawn from the said regions to investigate the role of the arts in rural development and the role of local communities, local authorities and national agencies in shaping the arts in rural Scotland. This thesis will articulate and discuss the relationships between the arts and local communities and the economy in rural Scotland and further demonstrate how the arts in rural Scotland have been surviving. The thesis concludes with presenting the advantages and issues caused by common approaches in arts development for rural Scotland, advocating what is needed for the arts in rural Scotland today with suggestions for future top-level policy development
