Sarah Barnes, 25, explains why she left her home town and returned about seven years later but also reveals how she harbours thoughts of leaving for a second time.

I left Inverness when I was 17 going on 18 to go to art college in Edinburgh.

Sarah Barnes during her Inverness is pants arts exhibition

When I was growing up everyone my age talked about leaving Inverness once we left school.

It wasn't a hateful thing, I just did not see Inverness as a place where I could flourish.

I thoroughly loved staying down in Edinburgh, but like a lot of graduates I soon felt lost and I made a decision to return to Inverness as a career move and became a school's learning support auxiliary.

Of my set of friends, I am the only one to have come back. The rest have stayed away.

Since I've returned to Inverness I've appreciated what it has to offer, but I think it still has to grow as a city.

In the summer, I was delighted to be part of an arts' event called Imaging the Centre held in Church Street.

My exhibition - called Inverness is pants - was not meant to be offensive but positive and to make people think about what is good about the place. The response from the public was very positive and it was a great event.

'Great talent'

However, what continues to frustrate me about Inverness is the lack of opportunities for artists.

I recently attended a conference in Ullapool on how artists cope in the Highlands and Islands and Inverness was a topic of conversation.

Like others I enjoy being here and there is a great deal of talent in the area and there is a passion to change things, but there is not a base, or the same outlets or scope for artists as in other cities.

At the moment I am undecided about whether to stay here in Inverness, or to leave and do a masters in art. I'm just waiting to see what happens.

What are your views on what the Highlands have to offer younger people? Have you left for pastures new or have you returned? Send us your views.

I desperately miss Inverness. Though not of my own volition, I had to leave my beloved 'Inver' some years ago and whilst I visit relatives now and then it never eases my pain and longing to return for good. The problemis just that there isnt much for the majority of people to do there despite the beauty and healthy living environment.
Patsy, derry n.ireland

One of the 'difficulties' in returning to Inverness is that less large companies are based here. These companies would offer the security, ease of a clear job description and steady income that is normally required for someone to relocate their life. This is unlikely to change in the immediate future, but Inverness could take a different path, promoting itself as a centre of innovation and enterprise. Some things have to change before it can do this though. The enterprise companies are very supportive of the small to medium size companies which is great, but the council ruins their efforts by having incredibly high rates. Hence there are very few independent retail outlets run by younger people 'starting out'. Teenagers used to be able to 'hang out' in such stores, spending their disposable income and witnessing first hand the enterprise of people close to their own age. These stores are now closed however as only the branches of large chains can afford the high rates. This is a real shame and means that the most young people here can hope to achieve is branch manager for a large chain. Or work for the council of course... If Highland council slashed the rates for small stores in the town centre then instead of 105 charity shops, Inverness might have a really interesting, lively town centre and could kick start the careers of some young entrepreneurs. This could only help the tourist trade and would help encourage young people to stay in the area.
Jane, Inverness

I grew up in Inverness, but young people do so knowing that if they want to go to an established and respected university or college then they are going to have to leave Inverness. Then once you leave you appreciate how good the quality of life is there, unfortunatly the number of graduate jobs are very limited, therefore it prevents many people returning until they have got experience and then jobs are easier to come by. If I could get a comparable job in Inverness to what I have here I would return in an instant- even with the drop in salary!
martin welsh, London, UK

I am 22 but for a few years I lived in Glasgow where I was going to collage where I was studying Illustration. I couldn't wait to get out of the Highlands and have fun in an exciting city, which Glasgow was! Its not that I don't like Nairn it's that their just has never been and still is nothing for the young to do around Nairn or Inverness. It's as if Nairn only exists for young families and the old. There is no place for the young in Nairn except hanging around the streets badly imitating Glasgow Neds. I guess this played a big part in my decision to leave. Now that I am back living in Nairn (for now!) I realise another thing that must play a big part in wanting to leave the Highlands - lack of work options and careers. Just as Sarah Barnes said there really is almost no opportunities for Artists up here and as an illustrator I agree as myself and many like me have been reduced to working in all manner of shop jobs and call centres instead of our chosen professions. I for one can't wait to move back to one of the big cities again.I just hope that more things are done for the young of towns up north by the Councils/Gov to make this fantastic part of scotland worth staying in rather than visiting!
Brett, Nairn

I left Caithness roughly 11 years ago. After living in a few places home and abroad I still love the adventure going back to see my parents up North. Caithness and Sutherland is somewhere I will always want to have a connection with either through living or holidaying there. Unfortunately, for now I would find it hard to get a job in my line of work. Mind you the value for money in property is a real tempting factor for maybe moving back. A 1 bedroom clone shoebox in London could by me a 4 bedroom unique family house up north - and no tube!
James, London

I left Inverness some years ago and live in the Glasgow area. I visit Inverness on a regular basis and I find it to be comparable - and in many respects, much better - than any city in Scotland. Most young people believe that the grass is greener elsewhere, but many who have moved away from their places of birth inevitably discover the reality. Yes, Inverness may leave much to be desired but so, too, do the larger conurbations. One thing is for sure: Inverness is among the most beautiful cities in Scotland. Make the most of it!
Walter Gray, United Kingdom

My wife and I (both aged 27) moved back to the Highlands after 8 years in Aberdeen and love the life we have. Less, traffic, crime and pollution. Better schools and hospitals. You are also starting to see employment opportunities improve for young professionals as companies move in to the area or expand and an aging workforce begins to retire.
Grant Henderson, Dingwall

I'm 24 living in the Caithness. Certainly I'd say the attitude round here is backwards but the younger generation who do stay are starting to push for progress. Just because we're remote doesn't mean we should do without. Maybe the Highlands need the youngsters to stand up and tell the country what we need. One thing that does get on my nerves though is the fact some courier companies charge and absolute fortune for delivery up here, there's no excuse for that and makes the people up here feel isolated and second class. That and we pay extortionate amounts for fuel and still the government want to take our cars off us, maybe in the cities that is possible but up here we have to drive - unless we're going to use horse and cart!
Meghann, Thurso

I'm 30 and am lucky to have a highly skilled, high tech IT job here in Skye. So long as I have an Internet connection I can work, I have no need for expensive crowded cities. The problem for the Highlands is lack of opportunity; most young people don't want to spend their days cleaning B&B's or hotels for other people to enjoy. Unfortunately most companies are not bold or forward thinking enough to see the opportunities on offer in Highland; opportunities like gaining a motivated workforce due to improved living standards and the ability for companies to reduced their costs. It also appears that Highland is not very good at selling itself to them. This is the fault of politicians and public bodies in Highland. It appears they to do not see these advantages, something that needs to be corrected. There is also a problem of perception; too many people believe the Highlands is about tourism and tourism alone. We need new skilled industry offering a range of opportunities; Highland needs to move forward. Industries such as IT and renewable technology R&D as well as many others could thrive here and would compliment the more traditional opportunities offered servicing the tourism sector or working the land. This is not about destruction of one sector at the expense of another or about destroying the land we all love; it's about offering a vision and long term future for this area. We also need affordable housing for young people. If young people can't afford homes then they can't stay and currently this is a very serious issue. However, I do think it is a very good thing that young people leave the Highlands to experience city life and broaden their experience. At the end of the day though, it is the role of the Highlands to make sure skilled rewarding opportunities are on offer to entice young people back to an area which boasts a standard of living that nowhere else in the UK can even come close to. There is very much more to Highland than tourism! So please, let's not turn Highland into the biggest retirement home in the UK. Let's start encouraging new opportunities and get positive about Highland future.
Martyn, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye

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