A new study examining the feasibility of an air service to connect one of Scotlands most remote islands, Colonsay in Argyll with the mainland was commissioned today (Thursday February 17) by development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Present ferry services mean that the 150 strong community of Colonsay, 35 miles off the coast, south west of Oban, have to spend a minimum of two nights away to visit the Scottish mainland and secondary schoolchildren cannot travel home at the weekends throughout the year.

Head of Transport for HIE Roy Perdersen said: "The fact that local children have been unable to spend weekends with their families is reason enough to commission this survey. We have been working with the local community and other bodies for some months and this is the next logical step. As existing transport links to the mainland clearly leave Colonsay isolated , this study will help us establish what would be involved in establishing an air link. In the long term it may be a cost effective option as it would reduce public spending in other areas, such as overnight costs associated with medical and education services."

The report will detail the running costs of the service as well as the cost of upgrading the airstrip. It will also consider the possibility of providing a new airlink to other islands such as Coll, Tiree and Islay. Potential funding sources will be identified and a feasible timescale outlined.

Chief executive of Argyll and the Islands Enterprise Ken Abernethy said: "The improvement of transport services to Colonsay and other Argyll islands is essential for the future development of this fragile community which is part of the national government programme to develop Scotlands most rural economies, Initiative at the Edge. The study will collate evidence to support the need for better links to the region."