In the latest publication from the General Register for Scotland, statistics show that the population of South Benbecula has fallen by 17.7 per cent, North Bayhead (Stornoway) has dropped by 15.5 per cent and Newton to Plasterfield has reduced by 12.9 per cent.

In just the period between 2007 and 2008, three areas of Stornoway decreased in population by more than 5 per cent.

They are Newton to Plasterfield where the number of residents dropped by 6.9 per cent; Springfield fell by 5.8 per cent and North Manor Park where the figure dropped by 5.1 per cent.

Nevertheless in stark contrast, Central Stornoway has increased its population by 13.4 per cent; Gress to Tolsta is up by 12.3 per cent and Marybank to Newvalley is up by 10.9 per cent.

The stats also show the age group of those living in the different parts of the island and interestingly Habost to the Port of Ness has shown the biggest increase in their total child population since 2001.

The number of children has risen by 3.2% and in Newmarket this rose by 2.4 per cent.

North Harris and Scalpay have increased their working age population by 5.4 per cent, while Sheshader to Tiumpan Head's population of this age group has dropped by 5.7 per cent.

In West North Uist to Baleshare, the pensionable age group has increased by 10 per cent.

Interestingly despite these changes in population, the islands followed the national trend in 2009 with a lower birth rate than 2008.

2009 has also seen a lower death rate than 2008 and this was reflected in the islands, however locally the death rate was the highest in Scotland in both the second and the third quarter of 2009.

Last year there were 91 marriages and one civil partnership compared to 97 marriages in 2008.