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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:
Christmascracker0 · 04/06/2023 20:33

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.

Rough around the edges?! Maybe if you live in the Ferry or Merkinch. There are bad parts of every city and kids get bullied wherever you live, it’s not an Inverness specific problem.

HeiXiong · 04/06/2023 21:58

AmilyChestnut · 04/06/2023 15:05

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.

Show quote history

@AmilyChestnut I’ve asked a few times now - could you give us a bit more information?

what is it about a place that you have zero knowledge or experience of that is your ‘lifelong dream’

I’m genuinely confused as to how can you be sure it’s your dream when you actually know nothing about the Highlands?

can you outline what specifically it is that you’re looking for in terms of lifestyle? Then people could make more constructive suggestions

HeiXiong · 04/06/2023 22:03

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

Sorry just saw this -you’re going to move your DD in the year she starts her GCSE prep and shift her to a different country where she’ll have to transition to a different educational system and study a completely new curriculum for new exams?

ummm… do you think that’s wise?

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 04/06/2023 22:12

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

Behave yourself nobody is hating. The OP clearly hasn’t done enough research and hasn’t even visited the country before.

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 00:07

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

Oh FFS! Haters?!

We have a house in Skye and live in London, so we are exposed to
both worlds. We visit several times a year and love being there, but no way would we move there with children or when one of us needs to work outside of the home. OP hasn’t even really thought it through. She has an idyllic picture in her mind of what life in Skye is like, but it’s very very rural.

Pointing that out does not make us haters. For goodness sake. Haters! How old are you?!

lakesummer · 05/06/2023 00:50

I'm not a hater but I do have experience of living on Scottish Island. The idea and the reality are often far apart

GulesMeansRed · 05/06/2023 08:02

OP hasn’t even really thought it through She's also avoiding the questions about her knowledge of the Scottish education system, and what school year her child would be in.

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 05/06/2023 08:10

GulesMeansRed · 05/06/2023 08:02

OP hasn’t even really thought it through She's also avoiding the questions about her knowledge of the Scottish education system, and what school year her child would be in.

I'm not avoiding anything apart from the negative comments. I don't know as I don't know when we will move, but it's not hard to figure out.

I've taken on everyone's advice and have a LOT more to think about before we relocate the family, but it is still something we will do.

Knowledge is power, and where I was lacking knowledge I reached out for help. The majority have been incredibly helpful. A few seem to enjoy telling me I'm naive and bashing me, without taking into account I'm here for advice.

It's easy to be mean online as there is no face to your victim, but remember there is a person at the other end. Kindness goes a long way, and being kind improves your own mood, so more give it a go.

OP posts:
Ladybug14 · 05/06/2023 08:39

""We have been planning to visit and move there for a few years now, this isn't an off the cuff idea""

With respect, this can't be true. You know nothing about the area, and after just a few posts, have decided to live in Inverness instead Confused

What a shit show 🤣

Original poster
AmilyChestnut · 05/06/2023 09:00

Ladybug14 · 05/06/2023 08:39

""We have been planning to visit and move there for a few years now, this isn't an off the cuff idea""

With respect, this can't be true. You know nothing about the area, and after just a few posts, have decided to live in Inverness instead Confused

What a shit show 🤣

I'm sorry you're so miserable that you have to take the piss of strangers on the internet

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 05/06/2023 09:10

Think if you had come on here @AmilyChestnut and said your DH had been offered a job in Skye and you knew nothing about the area and asked for advice you would have got different answers. It’s the fact that you said you had researched it that people are responding like they are, because you don’t seem to have had at all. When posters have posted anything about the area (or indeed about Scotland) you have responded you hadn’t known or thought about that, and within the space of about 2 hours had completely changed the location where you might live and the timing of when you will move.

Ladybug14 · 05/06/2023 09:35

""I'm sorry you're so miserable that you have to take the piss of strangers on the internet""

You're probably right. I was a bit mean to you (although not miserable, you've made me smile!)

But I just can't work out how, if you've been planning those massive move (and it is massive) for so long, you know nothing

But....I apologise for being mean and laughing

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:29

mumsnet is a viper’s nest of bored and bitchy women as this thread shows

the OP takes her own approach to decisions - it’s her life.

ps holiday home owners from London who buy in the highlands are a huge issue as it increases prices, causes empty schools and forces locals out. Please just don’t

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 10:44

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:29

mumsnet is a viper’s nest of bored and bitchy women as this thread shows

the OP takes her own approach to decisions - it’s her life.

ps holiday home owners from London who buy in the highlands are a huge issue as it increases prices, causes empty schools and forces locals out. Please just don’t

If that comment is aimed at me, we are not homeowners from London who buy in the highlands, increasing prices and forcing locals out. My husband is from Skye…but thanks for the thoughtless snide comment!

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 10:45

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:29

mumsnet is a viper’s nest of bored and bitchy women as this thread shows

the OP takes her own approach to decisions - it’s her life.

ps holiday home owners from London who buy in the highlands are a huge issue as it increases prices, causes empty schools and forces locals out. Please just don’t

The irony of the first sentence of your post! 😂

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:51

Probably am bitchy but second home owners and the highlands and indeed lowlands it’s the bloody pits. Locals have to leave. Can’t everyone just have one house only? Isn’t that enough?

not from Skye but another place and half the homes are empty most of the time and the local school has barely any kids. Bring your money and visit but stop buying houses you don’t need!!

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:52

What difference if your husband is from skye? You live in London now.

Every home bought by high earning Londoners is another home removed for the local market.

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 10:54

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 10:52

What difference if your husband is from skye? You live in London now.

Every home bought by high earning Londoners is another home removed for the local market.

So he should sell the home that his family has had 3 generations and we plan to retire to because he currently lives in London? Yeah, you really are bitter aren’t you.

Christmascracker0 · 05/06/2023 11:10

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 10:54

So he should sell the home that his family has had 3 generations and we plan to retire to because he currently lives in London? Yeah, you really are bitter aren’t you.

Show quote history

In the nicest way possible, you are still part of the problem. The house is still empty for what, 48 weeks a year? Taking away a property from someone that does actually need to live there and contribute to the local economy full time.

Great you plan to retire there but Skye/the Highlands doesn’t need more of the English ‘grey pound’ - it’s young people that are needed.

If your husbands heritage is so important to you, you should move now.

Misslizzie96 · 05/06/2023 11:14

Good luck with your move. Inverness whilst a city has a lovely big town feel. There are lots of small towns and villages around that are within easy commute.

It might help focus your mind on surrounding towns and villages to look at the catchment areas and feeder primary schools for the secondary schools which you’ll get on Highlands council website (don’t go by rightmove it isn’t always correct). There are articles online of the best performing secondary schools in Scotland, although of course these articles don’t tell the whole story: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-secondary-schools-ranked-best-27299635.amp

I’d also recommend getting to know local estate agents as once they know you’re serious they’ll call you about houses they have coming up for sale before they hit rightmove etc. A local solicitor will also know what offers over is best for your area.

Scotland's secondary schools ranked from best to worst in 2022 league table

There is concern that Scotland's best performing school is are drawing in pupils from the most affluent neighbourhoods

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scotlands-secondary-schools-ranked-best-27299635.amp

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 11:19

times yes I am a little bitter, yes! So would you be if you saw the decimation of the highlands due to terribly nice and wealthy people like you.

I don’t apologise for that

the OP on the other hand plans to come here and live and bring her family and she will be made very welcome I’m sure

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 11:23

Christmascracker0 · 05/06/2023 11:10

In the nicest way possible, you are still part of the problem. The house is still empty for what, 48 weeks a year? Taking away a property from someone that does actually need to live there and contribute to the local economy full time.

Great you plan to retire there but Skye/the Highlands doesn’t need more of the English ‘grey pound’ - it’s young people that are needed.

If your husbands heritage is so important to you, you should move now.

Show quote history

Respectfully, our family choices are not really any of your business. My husband has more of a belonging to Skye than someone like the OP who thinks it’s pretty and wants to move there. Just because my husband has moved away for a while, doesn’t mean he is obliged to lose all connections to his home and his background. If we moved back now, his home would still be his, so it makes no difference to anyone else.

We can agree to disagree on this.

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 11:28

It isn’t our business and I might even do the same in your shoes but don’t expect us not to judge you and the many others that do this. This isn’t about belonging, it’s about homes for local people.

you are lucky to have a place like that on tap, for sure. If you retire there fully on retirement I will eat my hat!!

caringcarer · 05/06/2023 11:29

OP, you can do loads of research, ask on MN but really you have to go and check it out for yourself. Do you have anyone who could take your children for the weekend whilst you and DH go and look for yourself? You can fly up to Scotland in less than an hour or a very long drive depending where you are located now. I love Skye. We went there on our honeymoon and the views were breathtaking. I don't think I'd love it so much in the winter. You would probably be more suited to Inverness with a young family. You could still get to Skye whenever you wanted. On Skye there are very few properties for rent or sale. You can drive for miles and not see a house. Inverness is not a large city it is still quite small but there would be more for the children to do as they grow up.

TimesRwo · 05/06/2023 11:33

BeethovenNinth · 05/06/2023 11:28

It isn’t our business and I might even do the same in your shoes but don’t expect us not to judge you and the many others that do this. This isn’t about belonging, it’s about homes for local people.

you are lucky to have a place like that on tap, for sure. If you retire there fully on retirement I will eat my hat!!

If we don’t retire there I am 100% certain my husband will divorce me and move back on his own…and I’m not exaggerating!

He would move back right now if I wasn’t keeping him in London and if he didn’t agree our DC have better opportunities here.

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