To ask if anyone lives on a small Scottish Island?

[NewStartFamily]

Specifically Eday or Tiree but thoughts and opinions of any others very welcome!

DP and I are considering a relocation from the south coast to Scotland, somewhere with land we can use.

We have found a couple of properties that we like but we’d like to hear thoughts from people who live there about how life works in the smaller communities and places where not everything is on your doorstep.

We have one home educated son aged 9 so nearby schools not an essential consideration.

If you believe that. Other accounts differ, and she doesn't actually claim that her memoir is true. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/10/hebridean-island-divided-tamsin-calidas-memoir

Last week's Oban Times has an article about the dentist crisis on Tiree. They talk about some kids from the island, the eldest is 9, who had one dentist visit each in their entire lives.
Would you consider staying on the mainland?

I'd not heard of the book, looks really interesting though, I'll give it a read but bear in mind that recollections may differ.

Out of interest, to what extent is Gaelic spoken? Is it the predominant language? Is there resentment towards non-gaelic speakers? Is education primarily Gaelic?

You need to visit and see what people are growing in their gardens as you talk about owning land -it’s very windy and I suspect polytunnels need to be strapped down. And out with the polytunnel I think it will be very ordinary veg.

Also I think you said you weren’t worried about longer days in winter - it’s v short days with long nights.
There are remote rural areas without moving to an island. I would start there.

So you believe what's said about her behaviour but no-one else's? Accounts differ and there's no telling which ones are true, but I'm curious as to why you've chosen selective parts to believe.

Absolutely, we would. It’s been proving difficult to find somewhere we like with what we’re looking for but we’re open to anywhere as we’re not tied to a particular place.

https://www.tireetrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FINAL-Gaelic-Development-Plan-2025-2027.pdf
Info here.

You can get a really cool polytunnel called a Polycrub, designed on Shetland, that'll withstand the winds, but they don't come cheap.

Staying on the mainland would be a lot easier in all honestly - there are plenty of remote coastal regions that have very similar scenery, and feel similarly remote and surrounded by water, but at least you're not reliant on the ferries.

Because incomers are always wrong and islanders never prejudiced or hostile to them. And if they are it's the incomers' fault. And if their behaviour can't be justified it's a lie I think.

The most important issue is your child.

You need to be looking into the locals schools and communities to see how easy it is for him to make friends and thrive not only now but as a teen and young adult too.

What would bf your reasons for wanting to move there?
What will you and DH do for work?

No, I just thought she came across as entitled and prejudiced, with as caricatured and exploitative a perspective on her neighbours as the egregious Lilian Beckwith but without the jokes. So I wasn't inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.

We also home educate (in London, DD is 11) and although I get what you're saying about schools, I would really worry about your child not getting to spend time with other children, particularly as he gets into the tween / teen years and wants some independence from you. I'd personally wait to do a move like this until they are off at uni or working, idyllic though it sounds.

ETA: if there were accessible schools nearby then this sounds more doable.

There’s actually a pretty decent population on both of these islands. I spend several weeks per year working on a couple of Scottish islands with tiny populations. There’s a lot of conflict. I think there needs to be a critical mass of people for a community to be healthy and functioning. The obvious points about access to all types of services and increased expense have already been made. If you go in with an open attitude you will be fine but be prepared for it to take a few years to integrate. So many people leave after the first or second winter that locals are often reluctant to fully engage until it is certain new residents will stay.

As I’ve said Home Education isn’t an absolute. If there was a school nearby that worked for him then great, no issues with that. He’s Home Educated now because school isn’t suitable for him here.

To be honest, the reasons for wanting to relocate aren’t something most people would agree with. Relocating to the North is a lot to do with price and finding somewhere we like, which is hindered in the south.

Job wise we’re both jacks of all trades so happy as we would be to integrate and be part of the community it’s a valid point to consider what we would/could bring to a community.

Most people here will be commenting without any direct experience. Really, you need to have an extended visit or two, preferably at different times of year. Have you considered some of the islands nearer Oban: Kerrera, Lismore, Luing? Still island life but you can get your eyes tested and buy shoes without an overnight stay needed. Some home schooling families around too, depending if you want to continue. Plus more access to clubs and things for your ds.

I have friends who live on Skye. Crazily beautiful but a bigger infrastructure as obviously more people. For instance they say that their GPs are completely brilliant. It does get vv busy in the summer but for good reason - wonderful people, stunning views and the seafood is amazing (if that’s your thing). Historically the standard of education was v high but don’t know about now. Perhaps an option?

That's a caricatured response. Try this one, from a young Polish man who has put some thought into the issues at play. https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2021/06/06/are-you-an-island/

I think this is super important if you are looking to really integrate.

I'm in Edinburgh but have a friend on one of the islands and it's a hard, hard time - with plenty of tradeoffs - but the ferry situation is beyond a joke. Any sort of medical care is a huge palaver and they regularly run out of xyz at the shops. So, so much driving and lots of being alone. He has a leak in his roof and there's no way to fix it (re both trades and supplies) it so he's just... damp. And he was born and bred on the island so has family all over it.

I don't know what specifics you are looking for but there's plenty of remoteness up north so might be worth looking around. Your son is a tricky age as it's high school soon and that limits options on a lot of islands.

Absolutely brilliant post.

I think you would want to be sure of jobs before moving, it can be tricky to find something and may be seasonal. I think a lot of incomers may work remotely but I just can’t imagine that’s helpful for making friends.

Schooling, it really depends why your current schools are not suitable for your son? I’m just not sure a small place would be any better? It also means your son will likely have to leave the island for further education and career.

If any of you have any health concerns you would want to think about how far hospitals are and actually how you’d get to hospitals with ferries being so unreliable. Also if you have elderly parents or family in the south that you may need to get to asap in an emergency, it’s not so practical.

Island life is not for me, that’s for sure. But I am highlands with family in the islands and work with crofting communities, so maybe I’ve just been too exposed to the bad bits. A lot really enjoy it.

Without trying to sound rude, a 'jack of all trades' is how everyone is on the islands... They don't spend money employing people to do any jobs they can do themselves...

Your skills sound great for you... To do up a house etc... But there's v little demand which pays actual money for your skills... Most people help each other out for free...

They pay money for professionals, with specific skills.

You might get a bit of work... But not much. And not well paid. Some people might be more inclined to barter and 'swap' than pay you cash.

Has anyone mentioned the midges...!?

That’s my point, I understand we may not be ideal ‘in comers’.