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Rural living

Looking to relocate to the countryside? Find advice in our Rural Living forum.

Original poster

Moving to Skye from down south advice

211 replies

AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 07:16

Good morning all, this is my first post! We have wanted to move to The Highlands for the longest time, and my partner has just had a transfer request approved for Skye! We have never been to Scotland, but need to buy a house and put 2 of our children into school. We want the remote rural living, as we live in a busy town centre and we are both hermits at heart.

I've read about buying a house up there, but it still baffles me, could someone please explain how one goes about making an offer on a house, as it's offers over for the most part..

My partner will be working out of Portree, but needing to travel all around the island and the highlands. We don't want to live more than an hour from Portree but don't want to live somewhere busy, any recommendations please?

What's the market like at the moment? At what speed are properties selling? We live 11 hours by car, or a flight away, we aren't sure how we are going to manage viewings and such yet.

The secondary school.. there is only one and from what I can figure out there are buses, does anyone have children who use this service already?

We want to come and add to the island, we will be working there and making a life there, we aren't trying to make money off the island, we just want to enjoy the peace and quiet, beautiful views and space for our children and dogs.

Any advice greatly received, and anything else I should know is too. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies!

OP posts:
nebulae · 04/06/2023 11:29

You've had some good advice here OP. Don't give up on your dream but I agree Inverness would be a better option for you, at least to start with. You could then spend time visiting different areas with a view to moving more remote in a couple of years if you still want to.

We moved to Skye two years ago and have no regrets but we'd had holidays in the area for decades so knew what to expect. Even so, our first winter was an eye opener. It's a beautiful place to live but it's not for the faint hearted.

Thebigblueballoon · 04/06/2023 11:50

redboxer321 · 04/06/2023 11:21

Also, be mindful that once you make an offer in Scotland and it’s accepted, it’s binding
This is not true. It may have been once but it's not now. It is only when the missives are concluded (similar to exchange of contract) that it is binding.

Sorry OP but I agree with other posters that this move will be a shock. I like parts of Scotland but others can play havoc with your mental health if you are not used to it. I ended up in a place where it rained almost everyday for much of the year. It was often misty. The environment was never really dry and rarely warm. It was beautiful on a nice day but they were few and far between. My mental health plummeted and I'm still dealing with the fallout of that disastrous decision. People were mostly friendly but as an non Scot I was never really accepted. If you want to go to Scotland, I'd suggest you at least stay on the east side.

Show quote history

Yes, only once missives are concluded is it legally binding. But once you make an offer in Scotland and it’s accepted, you’re pretty much bound to follow it through. Pulling out of an offer can lead to consequences with your solicitor/estate agent.

fairydust11 · 04/06/2023 11:54

AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 08:15

I really appreciate everyone saying we haven't thought this through, we have and researched as much as we can without having been there.

Does anyone live in Inverness and surrounding areas? Is that more obtainable?

Inverness is lovely. Having visited the Highlands (including Skye) as a tourist, I think it would be much more likely that you would see people you know every time you go for a walk living in Skye than you would do in Inverness.
I’ve never lived there, (and you will definitely get better advice from someone living there) but my impressions as a tourist make me believe that Skye wouldn’t be the right choice for you to live if you want a bit of anonymity where you live.
Inverness is much better in my opinion and more opportunities for your children.

I really think you need to visit asap. Good luck, it sounds exciting.

Torven · 04/06/2023 11:55

What others have said about culture/politics clash. For example, you had better be against Brexit (unless you move to West Lothian, those guys are nuts).

Shinyandnew1 · 04/06/2023 11:57

7.15am We have wanted to move to The Highlands for the longest time, and my partner has just had a transfer request approved for Skye!

9.15am I honestly don't think Skye is the place for us now

!!!

I would spend the next 3 years visiting different places in Scotland several times a year at different times and travelling around.

What is it about Scotland that appeals? Why not other locations?

Giselletheunicorn · 04/06/2023 12:04

Firstly, it's worth pointing out that Portree is not a big place. So it's perfectly possible to live on the edge or Portree and still have a fairly quiet existence whilst benefiting from shops, doctors surgeries, schools etc.

Secondly, Skye is a surprisingly big Island, so the 'commute' from Kyle of Lochalsh takes longer than you thinks, particularly if the weather is bad or you get stuck behind a tractor, lorry, caravan etc. Roads in that part of Scotland are twisty-turny and it can take a while to drive anywhere.

Skye is beautiful. But, honestly, if you have never experienced the isolation of the Western Isles, particularly in Winter, I would be more tempted by Inverness area. You can live somewhere quiet on the Black Isle and still be in Inverness, with all the amenities within 30 mins.

Jummers · 04/06/2023 13:48

This is an absurd idea. Let me guess, you will have a sideline making traditional Skye crafts or painting watercolours of the Cuillins (the other cliche is having a blog about your move to this 'remote' place) . Do you know which locals you'll be pricing out of the market in order to make this fantasy real, just like your neighbours who will hail from Cheshire and Surrey have done?

fortnumsfinest · 04/06/2023 14:16

OP, you've said you've done your research but it is only now when Mumsnetters have pointed out, tbf the most basic points, you think Skye might not be for you?
Did you honestly not see any issue with moving a teen to a Scottish island, surely that would have been your first concern, the impact it would have on them.
I've lived in Scotland all my life, rural up north, the Black Isle and moray and in a city, Edinburgh and would couldn't imagine telling my DC's we were moving hundreds of miles to a country we've never visited and obviously hadn't researched that well.

I'm honestly in shock at how quick you've changed your mind on location considering all the so called research you've done.

Christmascracker0 · 04/06/2023 14:16

The Black Isle is really expensive to buy now, I would be surprised if OP could find what they want for their budget.

Sarahtm35 · 04/06/2023 14:21

AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 08:04

So we haven't visited yet.. my partner will be starting work there and getting to know the area to make sure it's definitely what we want.

If I was to move to Kyle of lochalsh how far is that from Portree?

Hermits was a bit of an exaggeration, we want to get involved for the children's sake, but not have to see people we know every time we go for a walk.

Renting is a good idea actually, I will speak to him about that.

We aren't naive, we know it's a huge lifestyle change, and we want to be realistic about it which is why I am asking for help. We are in the countryside down south, lots of houses within a few miles that are secluded. We just don't want to be here and this is a great opportunity for us

Do you have the Google maps app?
you can find out the distances from there and look on street view to see what it’s like.
I can’t believe you haven’t already done this?

lakesummer · 04/06/2023 14:22

The biggest problem with a Scottish Island is that privacy is in very short supply.
The sense of community can be great but everyone knows everyone's business and the bits that they don't know they are inclined to just make up.
Having grown up on one I found London amazing for being a hermit, your neighbors don't know and don't care.

Sarahtm35 · 04/06/2023 14:33

AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 09:27

Does it personally offend you that I want to move? As all of your answers have been rude. I have done as much research as I can, I have obsessed for months over this. Firstly Inverness as we thought that was our only option, then dh boss told his Portree has an office so we thought that was an idea. I am asking here to add to my inventory of information before making our next move. It's going to be long and stressful and any info I can gather to make sense of it all is useful. Yes we will visit, but I'm just trying to get extra advice on this channel. I'm not dumb, I'm not going to make a big life decision for my family based on Google maps and mumsnet.

Show quote history

Nobody’s saying make a decision based on Google maps but if you’re going to ask about distances it’s probably your best bet as you can checkout what the roads are like, public transport, schools etc. you could spend a day ‘travelling’ around the island on street view before you physically go and visit there.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 04/06/2023 14:53

Moving from the SW near Bath( my area also)
I think you need to do so much more serious research on the practicalities of living in a different country
Think about shopping for example? You might expect next day delivery from Amazon for example or distances to school for your DC and the different education system
Inverness is beautiful but is still a different life to SW England
Best of luck with your decision

Shinyandnew1 · 04/06/2023 14:57

I have done as much research as I can

It really feels like you could do an awful lot more. What is it about living in Scotland that appeals to you?

redboxer321 · 04/06/2023 15:03

Thebigblueballoon · 04/06/2023 11:50

Yes, only once missives are concluded is it legally binding. But once you make an offer in Scotland and it’s accepted, you’re pretty much bound to follow it through. Pulling out of an offer can lead to consequences with your solicitor/estate agent.

Show quote history

Same in England. If you offer on a property and then withdraw that offer, a solicitor/estate agent may be more reluctant to deal with you.
You're not bound to follow through in either country though.

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 15:05

Shinyandnew1 · 04/06/2023 14:57

I have done as much research as I can

It really feels like you could do an awful lot more. What is it about living in Scotland that appeals to you?

Done as much research as I can with my limited knowledge, hence coming on here for pointers. I haven't changed my life long dream in the space of 2 hours which some of you seem to take pleasure out of stating. Inverness was the original plan, Skye was a possibility once dh knew he had that option, on further thought and thanks to all of the helpful comments on here, we will focus our efforts on Inverness. We are taking our time. The idea was not to come to Skye and take houses from the locals, we both work, I remotely and my partner for utilities. We don't have any pipe dreams of blogging about our move. Neither of us have a social media presence.

I appreciate everyone telling us we are crazy, but I'm just asking for advice so we take the correct steps. Bashing is a bit unnecessary but I'm not taking it personally; miserable people project.

OP posts:
BeethovenNinth · 04/06/2023 15:07

Can I just add that an offer made on a Jodie isnt legally binding - you can withdraw before missives are concluded. It’s just frowned upon and the solicitor might refuse to act for you again

keep us posted OP and don’t give up on your dream.

AnElegantChaos · 04/06/2023 15:13

LauraNorda · 04/06/2023 08:35

You sound totally insane. You want to move to a totally different environment over 500 miles away that, by your own admission, you have not experienced for a single day.

You don't appear to know how anything works there or anything. This move will break you.

Afraid I have to agree with this and think you are in for a pretty big shock as it all sounds a bit romanticised from you. What is your husband going to do in the winter when the ferries can't run during bad weather spells and he can't just pop over to the mainland for work? It's really nothing like rural living in England. And I also wouldn't recommend bringing kids up in Kyle.

AnElegantChaos · 04/06/2023 15:17

AnElegantChaos · 04/06/2023 15:13

Afraid I have to agree with this and think you are in for a pretty big shock as it all sounds a bit romanticised from you. What is your husband going to do in the winter when the ferries can't run during bad weather spells and he can't just pop over to the mainland for work? It's really nothing like rural living in England. And I also wouldn't recommend bringing kids up in Kyle.

Show quote history

Actually take back some of what I said there - I had Stornoway and Uist in my head re ferries. But the rest still stands.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 04/06/2023 15:17

Just to add to my PP I do have experience as my ex in laws lived in Beauly
You can now fly from Bristol to Inverness taking just under two hours.

Shinyandnew1 · 04/06/2023 15:18

hence coming on here for pointers

Coming on here for pointers is a good idea, which is why I suggested explaining why you want to move to Scotland. It sounds like you want to live somewhere remote because you don’t want people knowing your business, but as anyone who lives remotely knows, that isn’t the case at all!

I think you could get a wealth of useful information on here if you listed what it was you wanted to move for/to. What are your absolute ‘must haves’ from the move, what are your ‘would be amazing’ criteria? What are your ‘not so bothered abouts’.

Do you drive, are you happy to drive on dark/windy country lanes. How far would you want to be from the local primary school/secondary/post office/shop/supermarket. Do you want to be near bus routes for the kids? What clubs/hobbies do they do? Are you bothered by the cold/dark/midges?

I think if you laid out what you wanted to get from this move, you would get some really useful replies.

dropthevipers · 04/06/2023 15:18

Have not read whole thread, but if you're serious then get yourself some super strength midge repellent. The blighters up there are positively vicious.

PolliFlinders · 04/06/2023 15:19

I live in the highlands and can only repeat what others have said, Inverness area a better option at least to begin with. Plenty rural areas outside Inverness, a much drier climate and good transport links.

Brigitteshittette · 04/06/2023 15:31

To add a bit of romance rather than realism to the thread …
i don’t necessarily think you HAVE to have visited a place to know you’ll be happy there. I answered a gumtree add for an outbuilding to rent, I wasn’t sure exactly where it was. Weirdly it was in a different country but after five minutes of speaking to the owner, I knew the country (but not the building) was for me. I can’t say why, I just knew .
within a month I’d moved my family there (having never visited ) and when I arrived every street felt weirdly familiar. We lived there for ten blissful years, everything just fit like a glove.
it was love at first sight!
I saw something similar on one of those property programmes, a woman who’d read about a remote Scottish Island in a novel, and purchased a house there on that basis alone , she just felt it in her soul!
Do your research but also listen to your gut.