EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The Bill for the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 (“the Act”) received Royal Assent on 6 July 2018. Sections 1, 2, 30, 31 and 32 came into force on the following day. These Regulations bring sections 3 to 6, 15 to 21 and 27 to 29 into force on 4 October 2018. The Act makes provision for a national islands plan, duties in relation to island communities imposed on certain public authorities, the electoral representation of island communities and to establish a licensing scheme in respect of marine developments adjacent to islands.