Campaigners fear more and more people will have to make the stark choice between heating their homes and eating this winter because of the rising cost of gas and electricity.
Nationalist politician Dave Thompson said it was a “totally unacceptable state of affairs” in a country awash with energy resources.
He added that the choices facing people because of the “Big Six” suppliers decision to increase prices was linked to a “tragic” surge in the number of food banks across the north and north-east.
The Trussell Trust operates facilities in Aberdeen, Banchory, Inverness, Stornoway, Fort William and Kirkwall.
Plans are also being drawn-up to open food banks in Aviemore, Elgin and Inverurie.
“There has been mild growth in the economy but we have still seen food prices rise by over 4% and fuel bills by between 8& and 11% within the last three months,” said Ewan Gurr, trust development officer.
“It is evidence that consistent price rises place more and more people on a financial knife-edge.”
Thompson, who represents Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “I am deeply concerned by the social consequences of rising energy bills.
“Living in the north of Scotland, the weather is generally harsher and heating costs higher than the rest of the country.
“For many folk this winter, it will be a hard choice on whether to eat or heat and this is a totally unacceptable state of affairs – no one should have to make this kind of choice.”
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North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said energy companies were making record profits with huge price increases which exacerbated the “cost of living crisis” for many households.
“People living in rural areas are often trapped on expensive electricity tariffs, because other suppliers are unwilling to invest in new wires and there is no access to gas.
“Many older people have to choose between eating and heating, which in a cold winter could be disastrous. Others are putting off paying the rent in order to meet sky-high energy prices, which could put their homes at risk.”
Orkney Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said his constituency had one of the highest levels of fuel poverty anywhere in Scotland.
“Bills to customers in the islands are rising faster than elsewhere, forcing some into choosing between heating their home and eating,” he added.
“This cannot be acceptable in this day and age, particularly given the energy resources in and around our islands.”
Highlands and Islandscorr Tory MSP Mary Scanlon said access to gas across the region was restricted and left customers with less choice to switch to a cheaper tariff.
“More also has to be done to improve energy efficiency measures,” she added.
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