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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to consider moving to Scotland because I cannot cope with heat?

332 replies

bobdylanlover · 26/08/2026 19:32

I can't stand the heat. I holiday pretty much only in snowy places, some of which get dark very early. I have not coped well this summer. I also have a heart problem that isn't helped by hot weather. It's making me seriously consider moving to Scotland. My mum and dad, in their 70s, are somewhat open to also making the move with us - we are close emotionally and geographically and they wouldn't want to be away from my daughter.

The problem is this. I have lived within the same 10 miles for the majority of my nearly 40 years of existence (aside from uni, and living in Europe 3 times briefly). We have good friends here, it's a nice area, we have a lovely home. A nice primary school round the corner etc. Good neighbours. Parents round the corner. We both are happy in our work and can work remotely. Nothing is technically 'wrong' aside from how hot the summers are becoming. For example, there were loads of local things I didn't go to/do this summer because it was too hot.

I feel sick at the thought of leaving everything and jumping into the unknown. But part of me doesn't want to live and die within the same 10 miles anyway. I feel like I've exhausted almost everything here. I can't think of anywhere new to go any more and I find that utterly depressing.

My partner and I have always loved Scotland. Always. The nature and the space, the friendly people. So it's not an idea plucked out of thin air. It's been something that I've wondered about on/off for years.

Is it normal to feel so sick at the prospect of making such a big move? If I stay here will I regret not having tried it? Do you think the weather (and writing off 3 months each summer) is reason enough to do this? I can't settle on one idea. Sometimes I just think it's easier to do nothing but everything suggests that hot summers are going to be our new 'normal'.

OP posts:
Avocadotoasted · 27/08/2026 00:43

CoffeeMakesTheWorldBetter · 27/08/2026 00:38

I wouldn’t live anywhere else. But just bear in mind it’s incredibly humid in Scotland, even though we don’t have as high temperatures. Even in winter we have really high humidity.

Was literally just saying this....i was chatting to a South African gent recently and he said the heat here is worse than there due to the humidity

Avocadotoasted · 27/08/2026 00:42

NE Scotland. We've had a decent summer - couple of days nearer 30, but mostly middling between 18-25. We do seem to have our own special brand of 'muggy' days though that give me a headache. This winter past, we had (officially recorded) no sunlight for over 21 days...might be perfect for you 😂

CoffeeMakesTheWorldBetter · 27/08/2026 00:38

I wouldn’t live anywhere else. But just bear in mind it’s incredibly humid in Scotland, even though we don’t have as high temperatures. Even in winter we have really high humidity.

PissTakePeg · 27/08/2026 00:37

scotlandundersiege · 26/08/2026 19:44

Go for it. Move to the borders/lothian. Closer to civilisation and trips back home than moving to the highlands.

We are quite civilised ourselves, thank you! If you do come, OP, do it because you want to embrace ALL that Scotland is, not just to address one dissatisfaction with England. Remember we are not the same country and don't have the same mindsets, so please come prepared to be a Scot, and to work for the betterment of Scotland.

Delphiniumandlupins · 27/08/2026 00:33

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 26/08/2026 23:35

What you mean the extra £29 per month for someone on £45k? I’m sure the free prescriptions, university education etc makes up for it.

Edited

And free bus travel, over the whole country, for everyone under 22 or over 60.

EveryoneUsingOutro · 27/08/2026 00:13

sunseasand25 · 26/08/2026 19:55

And have a look at how much more income tax you’ll need to pay as well!

Didn’t take long did it.

EveryoneUsingOutro · 27/08/2026 00:11

blythet · 26/08/2026 19:40

As long as you’re prepared for long miserable, wet winters too

The east coast is much drier than the west coast. It’s not all the same.

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 27/08/2026 00:08

I’ve lived here since I left home at 17 (ten years ago now) and had my three children here. I love it even though it’s drizzly, dark, and wet. I much prefer it to England but I am from an actual shit hole in England, vs having lived in alright areas of Scotland.

I will say though when it does even get moderately hot here the men seem to take their tops off more than in England. Most of the time it’s an eyesore but you do see the odd fit one.

As for the “they all hate us” stuff - they don’t mind me. I get the odd joke but never had an issue. Some of my English uni friends who were very posh were disliked instantly though, I do think the northern accent got me some leeway.

IncessantNameChanger · 27/08/2026 00:04

Whereabouts? The midges in summer are unbelievable. I'd rather roast alive than take a walk in the Highlands in summer.

Ireland rains a lot. I think my family would head back over there. I'd just get air con.

EvieBB · 27/08/2026 00:02

Firetreev · 26/08/2026 20:11

It's not. Scottish people are quite different from the English. There's a different mindset and attitude to life in Scotland.

In what way please? I'm curious....

DecisionTime123 · 27/08/2026 00:01

OP you already said you have a condition which might be exacerbated by higher temperatures. The temperatures in the south east this Summer have hit me really hard both physically and mentally (in my 60s) - I've wanted to move to Scotland for years and now thinking that I may have no other choice in a few years (cant move at the moment). If you can bear to leave friends and family behind then I'd do it.

Thecatspantaloons · 26/08/2026 23:53

Judicioususeofthewordgirdle · 26/08/2026 23:29

Tempting. We were up there last week and the grass was actually green. A second home for the summer might be nice, just a two bed flat or something in one of the cities or towns.

You're braver than me 😳.

DustyMaiden · 26/08/2026 23:45

I moved from Essex to Yorkshire. So much better.

montysmaw · 26/08/2026 23:40

MyArtfulGreySloth · 26/08/2026 23:17

Most of them already hate us. Bet they can’t wait for us all moving there to escape the heat.

Most of "them" couldn't give a shit if you are English or not. Believe it or not, it's not all about you.

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 26/08/2026 23:35

sunseasand25 · 26/08/2026 19:55

And have a look at how much more income tax you’ll need to pay as well!

What you mean the extra £29 per month for someone on £45k? I’m sure the free prescriptions, university education etc makes up for it.

montysmaw · 26/08/2026 23:30

sunseasand25 · 26/08/2026 19:55

And have a look at how much more income tax you’ll need to pay as well!

Or look at how much less your house will cost and how much less the council tax is.

Judicioususeofthewordgirdle · 26/08/2026 23:29

Tempting. We were up there last week and the grass was actually green. A second home for the summer might be nice, just a two bed flat or something in one of the cities or towns.

montysmaw · 26/08/2026 23:28

LauritaEvita · 26/08/2026 19:37

I think many of us were looking dreamily at the temperatures in northern Scotland during the heatwave. I think the heat will make more and more consider moving up there over the next few years.

I am in Scotland and was looking dreamily at the heat in England

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 26/08/2026 23:27

scotlandundersiege · 26/08/2026 19:45

Scotland is like mini England now anyway.

Proportionally, more Scots live in England than English people live in Scotland…

Wildywondrous · 26/08/2026 23:27

Do it.
If it turns out you don't like it then you can move back.

My friend moved to the highlands a couple of years ago and has already acclimatised although it does mean that she's now sweltering when it's 20° so it's not like she's never too hot.

On the whole she's enjoying it but does find the extended periods of relentless grey and rain very depressing, it's one thing being cooler but still bright but when it's cooler and constantly grey for weeks it gets you down.

She has noticed that a lot of people move there for a few years then go back to England and is thinking she'll probably do the same in a few years.

MyArtfulGreySloth · 26/08/2026 23:17

Most of them already hate us. Bet they can’t wait for us all moving there to escape the heat.

WizzyBizzy · 26/08/2026 23:13

sunseasand25 · 26/08/2026 19:55

And have a look at how much more income tax you’ll need to pay as well!

Eh?

Dollymylove · 26/08/2026 23:04

Dont bother. The weather is back to normal now. Grey and depressing.

Just like Scotland is for most of the year 🤣🤣

reptilemad1985 · 26/08/2026 23:03

am Scottish born and bred similar age and its been a nightmare here heat wise plus all the midges and am in Edinburgh

RaraRachael · 26/08/2026 22:45

FaceIt · 26/08/2026 22:35

As long as you’re ok with lots of wet weather and biting midges in the summer, you’ll be fine.

Depends where you live. We don't have either