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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:
kingtamponthefurred · 04/06/2023 15:32

Get some good thermal underwear. You will need it for most of the year.

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 15:33

@Shinyandnew1 thank you for you in depth reply.

We both drive and know we will have to drive the kids around. A village location would be what we want. My partner will work out of Inverness but all over the highlands.
On reflection I'd like my daughter to remain at guides, or something similar for friendship.
A bus to school would be great, she's in the first year of senior now but will be older by the time we move, probably the third year.
A village school would be good for my younger child, not too big.
Somewhere that isn't un-accepting of outsiders.
We are both confident drivers.

We have family in Dundee, but like the sound of the highlands which is why we want to move there. Life is for living and exploring.

Can anyone recommend villages, or places to avoid?

The longer we wait to more money we will have saved for our home. Thank you everyone

OP posts:
Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 15:37

We don't think we are coming into this with Amazon prime and a sushi restaurant nearby

OP posts:
Whenwillglorioussummercome · 04/06/2023 15:41

I’m also going to say that visiting somewhere to research it will never be the same as living there so there is only so much preparation you can do for a big move.

OP, I’m glad you’re now thinking Inverness. Island living is something else, even with a bridge. I speak as someone who moved their family to an island (not Scottish) for a job after spending half a day there. We eventually lived there happily for several years before work took us elsewhere again, but the first couple of years were very difficult indeed. Relocating a family is tough full stop a lot of the time but a rural island is another thing entirely.

Dorrmouse · 04/06/2023 15:45

If you've never even visited Scotland what is it about it that appeals? It is one of my favourite places in the world and we visit regularly and have several relatives and friends there but it is a very, very different lifestyle than England and Skye is very, very different from, say, Glasgow or even smaller towns and cities like Stirling or Inverness. I'd prepare yourself for some serious culture shock for the weather and the long dark winter nights alone.

lakesummer · 04/06/2023 15:45

The downside of waiting is your teenage dd will end up having to make significant social and academic adjustments at the same time.
If you are going to move I think early rather than later would be fairer on her.
It is going to be a huge adjustment for her, how do your dc feel about this plan?

Torven · 04/06/2023 15:45

What exactly do you like about the "sound" of it? I'm Scottish but I would have no confidence of being accepted in a village where I've just bought a house out from under the locals. The chances of you fitting in with Scottish islanders or highlanders is almost nil.

GulesMeansRed · 04/06/2023 15:47

A bus to school would be great, she's in the first year of senior now but will be older by the time we move, probably the third year.

You are aware that the school system in Scotland is completely different, yes? And that your daughter who is presumably 11/12 could be in one of two years depending on when her birthday falls in the year?

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 04/06/2023 15:55

Groups like guides etc aren’t easily available in rural remote areas. Relocating is hard enough but to take your kids to the middle of nowhere without even visiting is disastrous. ‘Big’ supermarkets will be hours away, lack of fuel at times during tourist season and horrible winters will be a huge shock to your system.

Please don’t be the type to have looked at a pretty picture and thought let’s live there! Inverness is great! There’s lots to do for both adults and kids. Decent shops and it’s still not as busy as day Glasgow or Edinburgh and you could always move in a few years once you have realised what it is your actually looking for

toomuchlaundry · 04/06/2023 15:55

How long does your DH’s job transfer stay open?

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 16:00

toomuchlaundry · 04/06/2023 15:55

How long does your DH’s job transfer stay open?

It's open ended. His skill set is needed in the highlands as they are always short of people in his role

OP posts:
Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 16:03

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 04/06/2023 15:55

Groups like guides etc aren’t easily available in rural remote areas. Relocating is hard enough but to take your kids to the middle of nowhere without even visiting is disastrous. ‘Big’ supermarkets will be hours away, lack of fuel at times during tourist season and horrible winters will be a huge shock to your system.

Please don’t be the type to have looked at a pretty picture and thought let’s live there! Inverness is great! There’s lots to do for both adults and kids. Decent shops and it’s still not as busy as day Glasgow or Edinburgh and you could always move in a few years once you have realised what it is your actually looking for

I am aware, but I'm sure Inverness would have more to offer. My children are home sorts anyway, I home educated my eldest for a time so I'm not worried about their educations suffering, I'd be making an effort for them to socialise

OP posts:
Fandabedodgy · 04/06/2023 16:05

not have to see people we know every time we go for a walk

I've lived all over Scotland- cities, towns, villages and remote. I've yet to find anywhere in Scotland where I don't bump into people I know when walking.

Renting first is a must. Talk to locals about the ares. Find s solicitor. Having the buying process explained to you.

Be prepared for the differences in schools. The new school year has already started in high schools.

I do think it's utter madness to move somewhere you've never been to. .

I also can't believe that you've flipped from Skye to Inverness based on comments.

Get yourself up here and visit both places.

lakesummer · 04/06/2023 16:05

Torven · 04/06/2023 15:45

What exactly do you like about the "sound" of it? I'm Scottish but I would have no confidence of being accepted in a village where I've just bought a house out from under the locals. The chances of you fitting in with Scottish islanders or highlanders is almost nil.

The island I grew up on you had to have three generations born on the island to get the title given to islander's just to get an idea.
Which isn't to say that people can't move and have good lives but it isn't the same as belonging somewhere.

MirandaWest · 04/06/2023 16:17

My step son and his fiancée live in Inverness. She grew up in Fortrose where her parents still live. We live in York and trains take about 6 hours to get there so we don’t see them as often as we’d like. They are happy with their lifestyle up there but obviously they aren’t on an island and aren’t particularly isolated.

Wildandwonderful · 04/06/2023 16:41

I have lived in various places in the UK, often moving on a whim so I don't think you are crazy.

My observation after many years of moving around is that I prefer the East to the West. The West is more beautiful and dramatic, whether it's Cornwall or Skye, but it is also much wetter and windier in the winter. The East coast is colder but drier. In Scotland there are less midges on the East Coast and believe me, the midges are an issue if you enjoy and outdoor lifestyle!

My first year in the Highlands I really enjoyed the cold winter frosts that made the place look like Narnia. There is beauty everywhere but Scotland is amazing and I am sure you will love it wherever you go. Just be aware that the interminable dark wet winter days on the West coast can cause an unexpected level of depression if you are not used to it.

SirVixofVixHall · 04/06/2023 16:45

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

Seeing people you know every time you go for a walk is rural life everywhere though. Much less likely in a city.
Living rurally everybody knows everything about you . It is astonishing how fast the rural grapevine moves if you aren’t used to it.

Bababear987 · 04/06/2023 17:05

Hey OP

What I would maybe say as well is that younger people, schools, kids can be a bit "rough a round the edges" more. I'm sure I'll get slack for this but schools can definitely be tougher and drugs and MH is a massive problem around the Inverness area (not sure about Skye.) I know a lot of girls who grew up around Inverness and the stuff they were exposed to eg drugs alcohol sex pressure was a lot more than I ever knew. I also remember a women saying her 11 wasn't street smart so got bullied a lot- I hate that an 11yr old needs to be street smart for school. I know sometimes it's just bad luck but it's part of the reason we would never move back.

There are some lovely wee towns such as nairn but a lot of areas can be very patriotic and whilst be friendly to your family on the surface I could also see some hostility towards an English couple buying property up there. Not outright or scary or anything but not the same level of acceptance.

Is your husband going to be expected to stay away overnight? cause if he's covering the highlands it can take a days drive to get from one point to the other. I worked in a job were I also 'covered' the highlands and was expected to leave one branch and drive 5 hours (on a map easily more in real life) to cover a different branch the following day. all that extra travelling was expected to be done in my own non-paid time and the company thought it was acceptable as they paid for my overnight in some bnb -left that job like hot shit.

littleripper · 04/06/2023 17:25

You live in a busy town, have never been to Scotland and you're moving to Skye?!?!

I live in very rural northern England and would think that a radical move for me! And I am a shepherd!

Go and visit asap!!!

littleripper · 04/06/2023 17:27

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

If you like anonymity do not move to a rural area! Move to London!

midsomermurderess · 04/06/2023 17:37

The golden age of short and to the point conveyancing in Scotland is long over. You make an offer and it usually takes a while until the sale is concluded, with lots of queries about planning permission, building warrants, have the roads been adopted, have you got the guarantees for the fridge freezer, does the central heating system work, to be settled first. It's now very similar to England. If an offer is accepted, it will be subject to conclusion of the contract (missives), up to which point either party can withdraw. And that is increasingly very close to settlement. The main difference here is the blind-auction, offers-over system. If you see something you like, instruct a solicitor and make an offer, or you can also note interest, that lets you get a sense of what other interest there is in the property.

Elipse · 04/06/2023 19:40

Prettypaisleyslippers · 04/06/2023 15:12

This house highlights one of the issues of rural living in Scotland. Looks lovely and rural, but actually it's just off (and in sight of) the A87, the one main road in Skye, which will be absolutely heaving in summer.

chipsandpeas · 04/06/2023 19:56

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).

why are people from west lothian seen as nuts?

MumHereForTheDrama · 04/06/2023 20:31

Good luck I'm sure you'll find the right place to call home.
Ignore the haters I think it's a great decision

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 20:32

MumHereForTheDrama · 04/06/2023 20:31

Good luck I'm sure you'll find the right place to call home.
Ignore the haters I think it's a great decision

Thank you, what a lovely message, you're very kind.

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