Any advice on moving to Scotland?

[Gardendad]

Hello
My wife and I have talked about downsizing when kids are older/ at college. Some time away still as one is 13, other 17.
We both live in Ireland, rurally, nice house etc. Where we live can be very hot - more so in last few years. We are in a rain shadow so 22 - 25 degrees for past two weeks with another 2 weeks to come. No breeze. Its like Essex, flat, hot. Last summer similar.
We both like the coast. I did a trip to scotland earlier in year and it was so nice. Great scenery, nice coastline etc. What I really liked was coolness, under 15 degrees with a breeze. It was so nice as I hate hot weather. If we were to look at a second home in scotland with cool summer weather where should I look? Will we get eaten alive by midges?? Any thoughts welcome. Ideally we would use house in summer period and Ireland outside of that.

People buying properties as second homes is a huge issue for many communities in Scotland. My advice would be not to add to this problem.

Thanks for raising that. Something to consider. Also an issue where we live.

Sweden might be nicer than Scotland as an alternative.

Yeah please don’t do this.

we turned down the chance to buy a house on Tenerife for the same reasons so I’m not being a hypocrite

Why not buy one in Donegal? The temperatures are comparable, house prices are cheap and there are plenty of homes for sale as well as good access to all the things you'll need as a retiree like access to healthcare that you have insurance/a medical card for. Also the Ulster midges can give you a slightly milder version of that same Scottish experience ;)

My community has been decimated by second homes. Fortunately it is also midge infested (NW coast), so you will presumably not fancy it!
If you absolutely must have a second home when so many locals don't even have one, can I suggest a township which is not already overrun with them?

Because although I'm Irish I lived in Europe a lot before moving back and I would like to live somewhere else not in Ireland. Is Donegal not a bit depressing?!
Ulster midges- now theres a thought!

The midges will keep me away! If I was to buy Id like to buy not in tourist/second homes central. We both like low key lifestyle. Cooking, reading, walking etc.

The thing with a lot of coastal communities is that a lot of folk have bought as second homes in “not so touristy areas” and now we have settlements that are more than half empty come the winter months.

I can’t really think of anywhere that hasn’t been affected by it unfortunately.

That’s not to get at you OP and your plans, it’s just the reality of what communities are facing. It’s created a lot of tension in some areas.

Completely understand. I would fully move anywhere! But my wifes parents are still here and thats a consideration.

Sorry meant to say I would move full time anywhere!

What about the Ayrshire Coast? Definitely no midges and not too far from ferry link (Stranraer). Close to Glasgow for culture, theatre, gigs etc. I don't think there's an issue with second homers.

Thank you. Why no midges? Are they not everywhere or just local areas?

I live in Ayrshire on the coast and I can assure you there are midges. A lot of people from England have bought second homes here, it's not a major problem though. I live in an extremely popular tourist town, although come the winter it is pretty dead. I suppose where you move to will depend on your budget. At the moment the market is very buoyant and people are paying over the odds for houses. You also need to remember that you will have to pay 6 per cent additional dwelling supplement.

Thank you. What are summer temperatures like on the coast? I like overcast, cloudy, 16 degrees! Im real fun on a holiday to France....Threatening rain is my favourite kind of day with a few sunny days thrown in. Sea breeze also desirable!

Why not look for a lodge in a park where you can't live all year round so you're not contributing to the harm of second home buying but actually bringing something to the area? Some lodges are really lovely and in stunning settings.

Yes. Also thought about long term letting a local holiday cottage so money goes to a local person.

There are definitely midges on the Ayrshire coast! But weirdly far fewer a bit further south in D&G. Barely any on east Coast. North West they are horrific!

But that holiday cottage could have been a family's home if it hadn't been snaffled up by an investor for twice the price a local could afford. Your rent money almost certainly wouldn't be going to the local community at all, other than the few scraps thrown to the cleaner and maybe a meal in the local pub, if it's not closed down yet because the community's all been priced out and gone.

I disagree. Lots of locals in my area do holiday rents and its important summer income for them. Usually a barn conversion or a small flat. Tourism income also important. Housing for locals also important but they need jobs too.

And look at the islands, all the unfilled jobs because the people to do them have been priced off the islands, the businesses struggling and even folding because they can't get workers because workers can't get housing. And the answer always suggested is to be build more housing, so the rich and their cronies get richer, the landscape gets ruined and the investors and second homers get to keep grabbing everything. There are new estates being built in Scotland's touristy areas that are almost entirely being bought up as second homes and holiday lets - not even pretty little fisherman's cottages or crofts but utterly bog standard, first home type scabby new builds, that are utterly beyond first home buyers' means because they're completely priced out. But sure, that pint of milk they bought the one night they deigned to stay in their Excellent Base To Explore The Highlands - what do you mean I can't get Ocado? Oh GOD - totes transformed the local economy.

When you can't afford to buy because it's all been bought by second homers and BTLers, and you can't afford to rent because rents are aimed at holidaymakers and charge a month's rent for a week's stay, what exactly are you supposed to do?

But it's Scotland's own fault for allowing it to keep happening, so fair enough I guess, do what you want to do, we've only got ourselves to blame.

@bloodyfootprint thats pretty bad all right. It is a policy decision at govt level though. It sounds like Venice and Barcelona. There are sustainable tourism models though. Higher end tourism, defined local benefit, limited accomodation but higher margin.