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What would you pack for a year on a beautiful Scottish island alone.

84 replies

FredaFrogspawn · 04/12/2019 16:50

Ok it is just hypothetical.

If you had a year alone on a Scottish Island in a small Croft, with unlimited firewood for your little stove, what would you pack? No internet or roaming data.

I’d bring dry pasta, tinned tuna, lentils, chickpeas, canned white cheese, olives, rice, tahini, Long life lemon juice and milk, coffee beans with a hand grinder, teabags, flour, yeast, jam and marmite. A case of white wine and a couple of bottles of gin. Mustang and cress seeds. Micro salad seeds and some kind of mini greenhouse. Mung beans to sprout along with the lentils. I’d hope to end the year a bit slimmer than it started without too much sugar.

I’d bring a couple of cases of good books, a mixture of classics and contemporary prize winning world literature. Reference books on etymology, flora and fauna, and the Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Oxford English Dictionary. I’d want to end up knowing more!

I’d bring thick blankets and a tent to camp around the island in the summer. Binoculars. A microscope.

Lots of paper, pens and a variety of art materials. Strong glue and card. I’d try crafting using natural materials found around the island.

A huge collection of music and something to listen to it on.

The comfiest bed and chair known to man.

A hundred jigsaw puzzles.

Body lotion and basic fitness equipment.

A mountain bike.

OP posts:
FredaFrogspawn · 04/12/2019 18:20

A musical instrument and a teach yourself guide - a harp or lyre would be amazing. Or an accordion maybe?

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 04/12/2019 18:33

Only one thing... a ticket home!

Honestly, can't think of anything worse.

CNCer · 04/12/2019 18:49

I live on a remote croft in the Scottish Highlands, but I have Internet Grin
Must haves a tick remover, waterproofs, smidge to keep the midges away and vitamin d supplements! Wink

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lifeisgoodagain · 04/12/2019 18:51

Can I bring a manGrin. Did alone when h left, didn't like it

IdentifyasTired · 04/12/2019 18:52

A journal
Good supply of pens and pencils
Books, as many as possible (especially poetry and non-fiction)
Dogs
Linen dresses
Cords trousers, shirts, jumpers
Woollen dresses
Headscarves
Birkenstocks
Solovair boots and neoprene boots for autumn/winter
Cashmere socks, jumpers, cardigans, hats, gloves and blankets (Brora, I’m looking at you)
A very warm coat
A very waterproof coat
Lots of bath oils and massage oils
Candles
Hot water bottles
Good olive oil
A large casserole dish
Comfy armchair
Warm slippers

A trivial list but you did ask. God, this is my dream really. I could go on but I’ll spare you the boredom!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/12/2019 18:55

Watercolours and other art materials

Clay and a potter's wheel

Kindle loaded with tons of books

Kernowgal · 04/12/2019 19:02

Do you want to learn about word origins or insects? If the latter, you’ll need a book on entomology Grin

Aside from that, I was surprised at how much the idea appeals to me (despite the midges). I’d definitely have to have a kayak and associated fishing kit.

Xmasbaby11 · 04/12/2019 19:06

It just sounds so awful I don't even want to imagine it!

OrchidFlakes · 04/12/2019 19:17

a piano
Rocking chair
Hammock
Telescope

FredaFrogspawn · 04/12/2019 19:25

Word origins! I love words but I can see the confusion when I posted reference books about flora and fauna right afterwards.

I’d like to learn Ancient Greek too so some text books, a grammar and some workbooks would be good.

It’s not everyone’s fantasy but it is often mine.

OP posts:
NomDeQwerty · 04/12/2019 19:26

I watched both episodes of the Fair Isle documentary last night. It looked like bloody hard work.
I'd pay good money to see a fly on the wall series about a gang of MNers giving it a go.Grin

FredaFrogspawn · 04/12/2019 19:26

Oh what channel was that on?

OP posts:
NomDeQwerty · 04/12/2019 19:28

I saw it on iplayer. It had been on BBC Scotland I think

NomDeQwerty · 04/12/2019 19:30

It was called 'Fair Isle - Living on the Edge'

FredaFrogspawn · 04/12/2019 19:40

I’ll look for that - thanks

OP posts:
joCmummy · 04/12/2019 19:45

Alone? As in just me? Can I bring the horse? 😁
Def food, books, knitting, crafting equipment, notebooks, pen, ink. More books. Loo roll 😁

HeddaGarbled · 04/12/2019 19:47

Baseball and marker pen.

NoHummus · 04/12/2019 19:53

You do all realise that Amazon delivers even to Scottish islands? You just have to pay the higher delivery charges, but that's a whole other thread... So no need to schelp all your gin and art materials there on the ferry!

FestiveFavourites · 04/12/2019 19:56

My little dog, my kindle preloaded with 1000 books, a rowing boat, fishing gear, sun protection cream (the sun does shine in Scotland!),midge repellent, a journal, lots of pens and pencils, a sketch book, a camera, chargers for the camera and kindle, a few changes of clothes and some comfy pjs.

managedmis · 04/12/2019 19:58

A small flock of sheep

^

This is getting ridiculous now

mumwon · 04/12/2019 19:59

my camera plus spare memory cards
printer, printer ink printer paper
loads of micron fine liner ink pens
ditto pencils
a few good quality rubbers & pencil sharpeners & my wooden stirrers courtesy of coffee shops (measuring instead of rulers)
my easel & stool (& large Umbrella!) anti midge spray/ post sting spray (nothing is 100%)
tea bags +++ recipe book & my slow cooker
(generator & turbine!)
washing machine! full cutlery set plus kitchen knives & spatulas
more tea bags lactofree milk (fridge!!) & gluten free bread
& clock & torches
(city dweller not use to roughing it Grin)
smuggle dh in from time to time? + family?
(wouldn't be much good as hermit really)

Swisskit · 04/12/2019 20:00

I wouldn't go. Can't think of anything worse quite frankly.

Kpo58 · 04/12/2019 20:03

You do all realise that Amazon delivers even to Scottish islands?

Unfortunately you can't use telepathy to order from Amazon (yet). Do remember this hypothetical island doesn't have any internet or roaming.

egontoste · 04/12/2019 20:03

A generator.

Most of the above, plus

More midge repellent.

All the parapernalia associated with my hobby not telling, lol

A cat.

A satellite phone.

TheresWaldo · 04/12/2019 20:20

Does anyone remember Castaway from 1999? I was bit envious of them.