I could see the way the summer temperatures were going when I lived near the south coast of England, so moved to Scotland over 20 years ago, to one of the islands. I met some racists in the population, but the vast majority were kind and friendly. Let's face it, there are plenty of towns in England with a far right following, flags on lampposts, gullible people voting in the man of the people, yet multi millionaire politician. My area was staunchly Tory, so I was only too happy to move to overwhelmingly leftist Scotland for less of a me me me society.
I found it difficult to get a job at first as the locals tend to look after their own before incomers. Fair comment. The same happened in English towns and cities in southern England, where I was the beneficiary.
Eventually I found a job and somewhere to rent. My savings had dwindled and so buying a house was off the agenda. I soon found myself in temporary housing from the council. A lovely little chalet on the edge of town. Hop over the fence in the morning, making my way through a field of sheep and then along the roads into a different part of town and work.
That first summer had been the best in years according to the locals, but they warned me of long grey winters and mentioned that I probably wouldn't make it through the winter, as many incomers before me had left.
There was considerably less traffic here and the area felt much safer, although one of my experiences threw me at first. Four men were walking down the road towards me. The evenings were staring to get darker. I instantly feared for my safety, already had a big bunch of keys in my hand ready to defend myself. I could tell that they had been drinking the nearer they call. One called out to me and asked me if I had had a good evening. I said yes and asked after their's. They too had enjoyed themselves too. They were all smiles and I need not have worried.
I noticed some other things that were strange to me too. Young kids, probably about 6 or 7 walking to school hand in hand, no parents in sight. They would stop when they came to the 'busier' roads, and some adult would be walking along and help them cross the road. In the newspaper that week the front page was a story about a bicycle being stolen, and how only two weeks ago a mobile phone had been stolen. The latter of which had been handed in.
When the winter came it was long and grim. Greyness abounds and the sun is a rare sight. Even moving into spring, when relatives in southern England were telling me about the daffodils that had sprung up and later died at the end of their season, mine were only just coming up.
In the summer the midges could be a trial, but only then on days with practically no wind, rarity in itself.
The public bus service was very cheap and ran frequently using clean modern buses. Until recently there were no services to my area on a Sunday, but that has now changed. I used the bus every day to commute back and forth to work once the council gave me permanent accommodation out in the country. Also recently the maximum bus fair went down to £2 single, and everyone under 22 gets to travel for free. A bus pass is issued once you reach 60 to allow free travel. This covers the whole of Scotland and may cover England as well.
We have a ferry service to mainland Scotland from here, which is not cheap, but those aged 60 plus get four free single tickets per year for foot passenger. You can have a return trip with a cabin if you hand over your 4 e-tickets. Bicycles travel free, cars, vans, motorhomes etc. have to pay a charge for their vehicles. There is also an airline, and the prices are eye watering compared to what you would pay flying much longer distances from the UK mainland. It is considerably faster than the ferries though, but is not as reliable due to the airport getting fogged in. The ferries travel. in much worse weather, but even they can be halted by the weather.
Tourist season can be a trial here, with hugs cruise ships disgorging thousands of passengers every month into the one major town (pop. 7,000-ish). Thirty three thousand cruise ship passengers visited in June 2026. It really is overwhelming having that many people land here over one month. July and August numbers would have been higher.
Housing in Scotland is sold in a different way to the UK. The selling price is Offers Over £x. English people, especially those from London can sell their house then come here making offers above the asking price that the locals can't. One house recently was advertised for about £250k, detached house one the seafront - probably three bed, had an offer from an English couple for £75k over the asking price. There is a shortage of tradesmen who are willing to take on residential jobs compared to the demand. Trying to keep your house watertight is a fight in itself, but grants have recently become available for solar and new windows installations as well as heat pump installations. Electricity bills will be higher her as you will switch off heating later in the spring and earlier in the autumn.
Fuel for your vehicle is probably the most expensive in the UK on the Scottish Islands, and you will have less competition when buying a car. If you buy your car on the mainland, some garages turn their nose up at servicing your car as you have done them out of that sale.
Shopping is difficult here. There are very few High Street names here, so shopping will mean a trip back to the Scottish mainland, or more likely purchasing via the internet. Everything is more costly due to the distance you have to travel.
Despite the challenges, there is no place I would rather be. If I had to move from here I would move to the Scottish Highlands, somewhere remote. I wouldn't move to England under any circumstances, due to the politics there.
It's a fantastic place here, but if you come don't be a loudmouth, respect the locals and the way they do things. They tend to be more modest. Join in activities if you wish, but if you want to be left to your own devices the locals will respect that wish. Enjoy the great services, the safety and the more relaxed pace of life.