For years there has been an acute housing shortage, particularly of homes to rent, in some of the most picturesque areas of Scotland. Because the overall numbers of people affected are relatively small and because they find a way of "making do" by living in caravans or staying with family or combining one of those solutions with renting a holiday cottage out of season, the problem has been rather hidden. It has, however, been increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in popular holiday spots such as Arran and Mull. The alarming reality is that 3188 people are on the main housing waiting list in Argyll and Bute.

As one of the councils where the problem is greatest, the decision by Argyll and Bute to embark on an innovative strategy to widen the pool of houses available for year-round tenancies for local people is good news. There is, of course, no magic wand which will solve this problem and, like all grand schemes, its success will depend on how it works in practice.

This one is based on the premise that a significant number of second homes are not let to holidaymakers, but lie vacant because they are in too poor a state of repair. Channelling the income received by the council from reducing the council tax discount on second homes from 50% to 10% into a repairs fund to bring empty houses up to a suitable standard is a promising piece of lateral thinking. It will not raise enough money to solve the problem, but every newly habitable house can solve the housing crisis of a particular family. It is, therefore, to be encouraged, but would require certain safeguards. For example, there must be a mechanism to prevent public expenditure being used for private gain, as could be the case if a house were sold soon after refurbishment. That could be avoided by stipulating a minimum period of continuous rental to people on the housing list or a requirement to repay all the costs. There are, of course, many holiday-homeowners who maintain their properties well and boost the local economy by running a successful holiday business, and they should not be penalised by default as a result of helping neglectful owners.

To be truly effective, however, this Empty Homes Initiative must be, as the council indicates, one strand in a much wider strategy. Scotland's rural communities have haemorrhaged too many young people who leave in search of work. They should not lose any more who cannot find a house.