Living on a Scottish island

[Keeplookingforwards]

Tell me about living Island life!!!!!

How is Island living?
Would you recommend it ?
Up sides and down?

The best and worst ?
COL is it massively higher than say rural highland mainland
Is everyone friendly to “outsiders”

Would like as much chat/info as can muster lol

Not really an AIBU but here I am 😊

@Keeplookingforwards Island life definitely can be lovely - the quiet beaches, the fresh air, the community spirit, and so on, but it's an unfair representation to only mention the lovely aspects, hence the realistic replies here!
(Lived on a fairly populated island for many years now)

This is a great comment.

Im not sure I said I wanted to be a local, more part of the community . Not saying that happens over night either .

Not being a local is fine as I wouldn’t be but I would be living on the community

Of course it’s nice to be accepted . Tbh I’m not all that in your face or needy but feel you have to mingle when have dc . Also it’s nice to be neighbourly.
Then who doesn’t want the odd Coffee or lunch and a chat about everything and nothing .

Im not too fussed about going of the island often and the two ferry ports the island uses takes me within an hour of all our friends so we can take turns to visit .

I don’t think you did say you wanted to be a local 😂 but that’s the root of the pain of not feeling accepted I think, when things go wrong, I suppose it’s just something I’ve given a lot of thought to, seeing people come and go.

I do think you’ll be fine.

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.

@DollyTubb The two F”s it seems are the challenges .

Ferry and finances!!!

Does anyone have any insight into where the flights run too?

I’ve looked online but I’m sure someone on here would have more knowledge.

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

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.

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

Flights are not cheap.

Already have! 🙂

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

@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!

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

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.

@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!!

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.

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

@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!

@Puffalicious
Take that as you will. You seem to have quite a privileged attitude from your posts.

You couldn’t be further from the truth . Why do people think that others are always trying to take from them ?

If I have lived in Scotland my whole life who is someone. To say I can’t move to another part of Scotland ? Is it not a free country after all ?

I am puzzled to why you think I am privileged , I’d say that’s more on how you think than how I come across

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 🥰