The economic and social effects of centralised education in the rural areas of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland were studied. Five factors (geographical position, population density, occupational structure, economic prosperity, and educational structure) were considered in order to study the migration patterns, and attitudes and aspirations in relation to educational provision and economic opportunities. Three extensive surveys were conducted to examine the attitudes and expectations of parents, of pupils in first and fourth years of secondary school, and of school leavers. In 9 selected locations, representing different patterns of secondary school organisations, 532 parents were interviewed about their expectations of migration, their aspirations for their children, and their satisfaction with the educational provision. Questionnaires were received from 996 pupils in first year and 831 in fourth year. These were compared to 675 questionnaires returned by former pupils who had lived in the area and had left school during session 1971-72. Findings included: the most favourable attitudes to secondary school provision were recorded in areas where there was a local two-year comprehensive school, or where the all-through comprehensive school was located within the West Coast region; between first and fourth years, there was a slight increase in the expectation of migration; and within two years of leaving school, nearly half of the former pupils were no longer wholly resident within their original home districts. (NQ)