Living on a Scottish island

@nameXname have you tried the green 'stayfresh' bags? They really help to increase how long as product will last in the fridge

Getting fresh fruit and veg is NOT a joke. Highlands and islands are at the end of a very long food delivery chain. Just about OK if you want to use the produce the day after shopping but a real, real, real problem if you go - like me - 40 miles and more (and back) to the nearest supermarket every week/10 days and hope that fresh fruit and veg will last that long..

Just as an example, yesterday (Mon 13th) I was offered a lift into Ft William Marks and Spencers foodhall. Not where I usually shop, but too good to turn down. When I got home, I found that one of the packs of very expensive blueberries that I had purchased contained several rotten ones. I had to wash, dry and separate the rest of the pack to try to keep them edible for the next couple of days.

A smilar thing happened with Lidl about 10 days ago; the pack containing premium Royal Jersey potatoes contained one entirely rotten one and several others showing signs of rot. ie largely inedible.

I don't blame the store managers; I suspect that someone, somewhere in their head offices- who has never driven overnight in foul weather to try to get food delivered - will see this and STILL pretend not to understand.

Evrery time I go through Glencoe I still remember with thanks and deep respect the Co-Op delvery drivers who perished not tat long ago in blizzrd conditions on Rannoch Moor trying to get fresh food to us. RIP.

That’ll be it- view from the garden.
This has turned into a derail 😃

That would be us, not much meat. I just think you could buy an awful lot of tins and preserved goods for the cost of a buying and running a chest freezer. We do have a generator though 🥰

Also if you are keen to learn the local language you would be at least tolerated if they see you making a big effort. If you show no signs of bothering to fit in why would they welcome you?

I think if you have an occupation that local islanders will find useful you'll be accepted so if you're a teacher, nurse, doctor, electrician, plumber or something they will find useful. If your occupation is WFH online and not directly contributing to island life it might be harder.

In very remote spots I would assume many people have generators as a precaution in case of power cuts. Worth it if you have a freezer full of meat and fish that would otherwise spoil. Probably not worth it if all you have in the freezer is bread, peas, ice cubes and a packet of fish fingers.

Sometimes when you get to know crofters, you'll get the option to buy a lamb, or half a cow, direct from them. It's a big expense and a lot of meat - but it's high quality at a reasonable price. Many people have an extra freezer for that.

Related not a derail I hope.
I've been advised to get several chest freezers but surely that's a risk in the case of power cuts. And it seems a waste to stock it with low value items like loaves of bread. My plan is to have large quantities of tins and dried carbs like pasta and bread. Yeast, flour, dried fruits, eggs last a month etc. I can see a chest freezer would be useful in the days of meat and two veg but we don't eat chops, sausages etc. And there are only two of us. Am I missing something?

@Trez1510 "I'm sure most Scots are capable of understanding living on an island requires personal forward planning."
Yes I'm sure they do; 'my' forward planning included buying perishable fresh fruit and veg to last as long as it could without having to leave the island. And you get used to it not being available for a multiplicity of reasons, hence my comment about the elegantly displayed Muller lite yogurts. And hence everyone has a larder and freezer stocked with tinned and frozen fruit and veg, but that's not so good when you have b&b customers wanting a 'full scottish' with grilled fresh tomatoes and fried mushrooms. We were always fine for yogurts though!

I agree with this.

Fruit and veg that go in the fridge often have a very short shelf life.

A) there's no point in buying in loads just in case the ferries don't go, as it will just increase waste

B) the logistics involved with supplying supermarkets is based on getting them what they need when they need it. Changing the plan to provide two or three times as much with a days notice won't be straightforward

Is forward planning not ensuring you have stocked larders and freezers for when the ferries can't travel?

I'm sure most Scots are capable of understanding living on an island requires personal forward planning.

@montysma1 your comment about the CoOp made me smile; I remember the times I'd be wanting to do a weekly shop and you instantly knew it was a bad day when you walked in the door to be greeted by Muller Lite yogurts evenly spaced along the otherwise empty fresh fruit and veg chiller cabinets. There seems to be no understanding of the idea of forward planning!!

If you can prove that you are a permanent resident of the Western Isles, you qualify for an Air Discount Card, which makes flights significantly cheaper, but still not in any way actually cheap! It can also be difficult to get a seat, since nobody want to risk the ferry.

I love this post. The last line sums it up beautifully.

@Keeplookingforwards if you're going to be in the Outer Isles then there are flights to Stornoway or Benbecula mostly from Edinburgh or Glasgow or Inverness - check out Loganair. There always seems to be talk of an airport on Skye too but that's been simmering for quite a while. Inverness is getting more linked up. But flights are limited, connections can be tight. It was a real challenge for DH when working abroad. Even flying you need to add a significant time buffer to allow for weather delays (or the tide at Benbecula!), connections and cancellations. We would often drive to Glasgow or Edinburgh airports. But even with these airports don't expect the kind of international flights you'd get at Heathrow or Gatwick!

Well, you actually hadn't when you decided to write another comment, hence my reply.
Anyway, moving on.

Already have! 🙂

Flights are not cheap.

Lewis flights you mean?
HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports) or Logainair would be a good start point for flights to/from Stornoway.

This thread is asking for opinions.
I personality didn't want to start a debate about why something is a certain way, but thought it valid to point out that it is that way.
Can we please leave it at that.

But this thread is a debate!
And we seem to agree that it is an important issue.
But, no worries

I loved it!
But...
It's hard to explain just how tough and long the winters can be, when the days never get light and the haar rolls in or the rain just lashes down endlessly. February I found the worst for cabin fever. But there again there can be some amazing winter days, just not every day.
It can be very difficult if you're ill. I had to be taken to Raigmore hospital in Inverness for treatment; DH had to stay either b&b or in hospital accomodation, or I just had no visitors (lots of patients have no visitors).
The weather can be just wild. Gardening is tough. Our greenhouse blew down at least once a year. You will live in outdoor weather gear all the time. And it impacts on ferries/bridges/supplies/road access. One time after gales the CoOp had to throw it's food away because the freezers were off in power cuts and supplies couldn't get through. You learn to stock up but not just freezer food; dried foods and packets as well. Plus a bread maker is essential!

But I thought it was wonderful! I met lots of lovely people and the locals were very helpful and friendly. It's hard to explain how living on a Scottish island impacts your life, the summers are bonkers and getting on and off the island can be problematic, the roads can be crammed with tourists who have no idea of how to drive on a single track road.

But I loved walking down to the beach or up into the hills, exploring new places and experiences. It is just so unlike city/suburban life, you really have to plan ahead or do without, but the way of life is so peaceful and just amazing and I never regretted moving. Just don't expect to be able to get a 'good' job and have a viable means of supporting yourself.