The Scottish Government has pledged to bring forward legislation outlining additional powers for the Northern and Western Isles before the independence referendum.
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay made the announcement after the third meeting of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group yesterday.
It was formed after the leaders of Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils launched the Our Islands – Our Future campaign to argue for the devolution of more power to unlock economic prosperity.
Liberal Democrat MSPs for Orkney and Shetland, Liam McArthur and Tavish Scott, have claimed SNP ministers were trying to bribe and con voters ahead of the referendum.
Former Scottish secretary Michael Moore said the devolution of power to the islands “should not be contingent on a Yes vote”.
Issues discussed by the group yesterday included fishing, aquaculture, the Crown Estate and other measures to boost economic growth.
Speaking afterwards, Mr MacKay said: “Three months into this process, my sense is that we have commonality and agreement on a number of issues that we would want to bring forward in our prospectus for the islands.
“The best prospect of implementing the outcome of the group’s discussion is with the full powers of independence and, in that event, we propose to bring forward a bill for an Islands Act.”
Speaking on behalf of the three authorities, Orkney Islands Council convener Steven Heddle said the talks were positive.
“We look forward to the development of a prospectus that will help to chart out the opportunities and way forward and seek for this to be legislated for within the lifetime of this parliament,” he added.