Anyone live on the Western Isles?
Discussion
Due to out increasing annoyance at the local chav population,and a few other factors, we have decided to move.
We intend to move to Benbecula, we have a friend out there that will rent us a house.
But we would like more information on island life, and experiences from anyone that does, or has lived there.
We intend to move to Benbecula, we have a friend out there that will rent us a house.
But we would like more information on island life, and experiences from anyone that does, or has lived there.
englisharcher said:
We have enjoyed holidays there before, and have been offered a cheap house to rent.
You'll know there's the sum of f
k all to do then. And it'll be very expensive and slow to get back darn sarf to see friends and family. Big move, I'd consider it very carefully. Maybe ask the mods to move this to the Scotland board, you're more likely to catch someone there.
Papa Hotel said:
You'll know there's the sum of fk all to do then. And it'll be very expensive and slow to get back darn sarf to see friends and family.
Big move, I'd consider it very carefully. Maybe ask the mods to move this to the Scotland board, you're more likely to catch someone there.
Yep, this isn't something we have just decided on, we have been building up to this for a year.k all to do then. And it'll be very expensive and slow to get back darn sarf to see friends and family. Big move, I'd consider it very carefully. Maybe ask the mods to move this to the Scotland board, you're more likely to catch someone there.
We are also aware that it will be tough with a disabled wife and daughter.
For the person asking about jobs, at the minute I am a long term carer for my wife, but feel I could find a job there, if, and when my wife makes some kind of recovery.
The idea of a load of anti-social middle-aged men all going to live in the same small community amuses me. englisharcher said:
Yep, this isn't something we have just decided on, we have been building up to this for a year.
We are also aware that it will be tough with a disabled wife and daughter.
For the person asking about jobs, at the minute I am a long term carer for my wife, but feel I could find a job there, if, and when my wife makes some kind of recovery.
If you've been building up to it and think you can make it work, do it. You only get one go at being happy. We are also aware that it will be tough with a disabled wife and daughter.
For the person asking about jobs, at the minute I am a long term carer for my wife, but feel I could find a job there, if, and when my wife makes some kind of recovery.
I'm a country boy, I hated living in Edinburgh and now live in a relatively small town but even I couldn't move to there. Too far away from everything, too little there. I'd love to retire somewhere up north but Benbecula is a step too far for my tastes. As long as you go in with your eyes open and understand that while the pace of life is more relaxed, you might find it hugely dull and frustrating in the long term. I'd seriously think of somewhere like Grantown on Spey or Nairn before going so far away from civilisation.
I lived in Shetland for 20 years and loved it. The same test that applies there will apply to the Western Isles.
Don't go on the basis of that nice summer holiday you had. Spend a couple of weeks there midwinter when it's dark most of the day, blowing a Force 10 South Westerly with horizontal torrential rain, there have been no planes so no mail or papers, the ferries from the mainland have been cancelled for two days so fresh food is getting short, but even if you had food you couldn't cook it as the power lines are down. The standby frozen food you had in the freezer has of course defrosted because of the power being off.
And then there are still drink & drugs problems - especially in small communities.
Not that I'm trying to put you off, but it's not for everybody!
Don't go on the basis of that nice summer holiday you had. Spend a couple of weeks there midwinter when it's dark most of the day, blowing a Force 10 South Westerly with horizontal torrential rain, there have been no planes so no mail or papers, the ferries from the mainland have been cancelled for two days so fresh food is getting short, but even if you had food you couldn't cook it as the power lines are down. The standby frozen food you had in the freezer has of course defrosted because of the power being off.
And then there are still drink & drugs problems - especially in small communities.
Not that I'm trying to put you off, but it's not for everybody!
Edited by matchmaker on Wednesday 12th June 20:16
my parents live near there, I have spent a lot of time there. it truly is a wonderful way of life up there if that is the way of life that you are after.
cheep housing but everything else is expensive. for the two weeks of summer there is nowhere better to be but the 11 1/2 months of winter I am not sure that makes up for it!
go up and try it in the winter months, if you like it go for it. great place to live as in its safe and you don't have to worry about the kids being out playing, locking the house / car ect.
not easy getting to and from the mainland for anything. having to book the ferry in the summer and hoping that it is sailing in the winter. you cant just nip to the local 24 hour asda for something as they don't exist up there.
it dose have its pros but it dose have a lot of cons. it just depends on what you are looking for and trying to escape from?
there are places just as remote to live in the west coast without being stuck on a island!!
HTH.
cheep housing but everything else is expensive. for the two weeks of summer there is nowhere better to be but the 11 1/2 months of winter I am not sure that makes up for it!
go up and try it in the winter months, if you like it go for it. great place to live as in its safe and you don't have to worry about the kids being out playing, locking the house / car ect.
not easy getting to and from the mainland for anything. having to book the ferry in the summer and hoping that it is sailing in the winter. you cant just nip to the local 24 hour asda for something as they don't exist up there.
it dose have its pros but it dose have a lot of cons. it just depends on what you are looking for and trying to escape from?
there are places just as remote to live in the west coast without being stuck on a island!!
HTH.
This blog gives an insight
https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com
And his house is for sale as they are building another one next door
https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com
And his house is for sale as they are building another one next door
englisharcher said:
We are also aware that it will be tough with a disabled wife and daughter.
How much outside support does she need? We've moved to the Dorset countryside and hospital appointments for my son are a 1 1/2 + hour round trip, an ambulance (not that we are likely to need one) can be an hour. If you get any outside help, or respite etc, it could be a PITA to organise.Bill said:
englisharcher said:
We are also aware that it will be tough with a disabled wife and daughter.
How much outside support does she need? We've moved to the Dorset countryside and hospital appointments for my son are a 1 1/2 + hour round trip, an ambulance (not that we are likely to need one) can be an hour. If you get any outside help, or respite etc, it could be a PITA to organise.Bill said:
How much outside support does she need? We've moved to the Dorset countryside and hospital appointments for my son are a 1 1/2 + hour round trip, an ambulance (not that we are likely to need one) can be an hour. If you get any outside help, or respite etc, it could be a PITA to organise.
Needs my help to get dreesed/undressed.I have to do school runs, house cleaning, cooking etc..
No outside help needed.
They do have adult social workers on the island if needed.
Bill said:
McWigglebum4th said:
My parents are on a west coast island and can be in a glasgow hospital quicker then someone on the mainland as any medical emergency they scramble a chopper
Fair point. Presumably that's the proper RAF SAR lot too, rather than an air ambulance.Bill said:
McWigglebum4th said:
My parents are on a west coast island and can be in a glasgow hospital quicker then someone on the mainland as any medical emergency they scramble a chopper
Fair point. Presumably that's the proper RAF SAR lot too, rather than an air ambulance.te and they can't get a chopper in, then it's a long and hideous journey by boat and road.Plus they only send the chopper if things are bad enough.
Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff