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Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Moving to Scotland.....Dunoon.

47 replies

macey70 · 04/06/2020 03:33

My husband has been offered a job near Glasgow. We currently live in London.
We have seen a couple of nice houses and the nearest high school is Dunoon Grammar School. Does anyone have any positive/ negative experiences with the school. I am worried that my son (12yrs) will be out of place or be picked on.

OP posts:
clpsmum · 04/06/2020 03:45

It is quite a trek from Dunoon to Glasgow and not one I would like to do everyday. Public transport is not like what it is in London. Could you not look somewhere a bit closer? There are lots of lovely places

IHaveBrilloHair · 04/06/2020 03:47

You really can't commute from Dunoon to Glasgow.

celtiethree · 04/06/2020 08:27

If you can provide some more detail on where your husband will be working then you can get some really useful advice here on where to house hunt.

Do you know much about the Scottish Education system? From the age you have provided it looks like your DS will be going into S2 but that will depend on when his birthday falls - there are different cut offs in Scotland vs. England. There are also no grammar schools - Dunoon Grammar is a secondary school with no selection, it will draw pupils from its catchment area (apologies if you already knew this).

Apolloanddaphne · 04/06/2020 08:31

Dunoon to Glasgow would be some trek. It would involve the ferry every day which could be tricky in bad weather. Where/what exactly is his job?

Toomboom · 04/06/2020 08:38

As others have said, you can't commute between Dunoon and Glasgow.

You will need to look for something closer to Glasgow to live. Commuting from somewhere like Kilmarnock, Ayr, Prestwick is doable .
The education system in Scotland is different to England. Depending on when your son's birthday falls you may find he has to go back a year to fall in with the cut off in Scotland.

SockYarn · 04/06/2020 08:44

Yeah, Dunoon is lovely but not commutable to Glasgow. Either a notoriously unreliable ferry, or a 80 mile trip by road. The other thing about Dunoon high school is that they have a massive catchment and take in weekly boarders from remote villages which might not be ideal for friendships and getting to know other parents.

If the new job is west of Glasgow (Paisley, Greenock, Renfrew) the in terms of good schools and nice areas I'd be looking at Bridge of Weir or Houston (Gryffe Academy) or Gourock as Clydeview Academy is fairly good too. Or head across the Erskine Bridge and look at Helensburgh (Hermitage Academy) , Bearsden, Milngavie or even the West End of Glasgow.

Agree with what the others have said about your DS's age - the children entering S1 this August will be born between 1st March 2008 and 28th February 2009 (my youngest is one of them). If he was 12 before 1st March this year you may be able to get him into S1 as a deferred child depending when his birthday is.

I wouldn't worry about being picked on. My kids are at a school in Bearsden and there are families from all over the place, the city is very cosmopolitan.

Teacaketotty · 04/06/2020 08:48

I grew up in Dunoon and went to the grammar school and although it is nice - commuting to Glasgow every day would be impossible.

Also it’s not the most exciting place to grow up, I personally couldn’t wait to leave. Maybe look at towns on the outskirts of Glasgow.

GreyishDays · 04/06/2020 08:52

OP says the job is near Glasgow. Could be to the west? Hope so. Smile

Iggi999 · 04/06/2020 08:59

Maybe "near Glasgow" is Gourock?

prettybird · 04/06/2020 09:39

Depending on when his birthday is, he might end up going back a year Shock

But even if he doesn't, it might feel as if he does, because Scottish schools have 7 years in primary and 6 at secondary (in contrast to most areas in England where it is 6 years at primary plus reception and 7 years at secondary including 6th form Confused

Ds' birthday is in September and was towards the young end of his year's cohort (technically right in the middle but because of deferrals there were more kids older than him than younger). The ds of a friend of mine, who lives in England, also had a September birthday a few days apart - and he was in the year below as one of the oldest in the year.

So ds went off to Uni (having finished S6) a year before her ds. (And yes, it did mean he couldn't drink officially during Freshers Week as he only turned 18 after term started Grin).

March is the cut-off date in Scotland (with the opportunity for deferrals: common for January/February, less common for November/December and extremely rare for September/October).

TomDunoon · 05/06/2020 14:50

Hi, I and many others in Dunoon (pre-Covid) commuted to Glasgow every day or at least several days a week depending on when they need to be in offices for work. Many do drive and use excellent 3-4 ferries an hour Western Ferry service, or in my own case use the smaller CalMac passenger only ferry service (2 and hour) that connects with fast trains to Glasgow Central. I can be from my house to office in 1.5 hours. There is an early morning and very late night services, so it's perfectly doable! The commute is also one of the most beautiful journeys (in good weather) It's also really socialable and is how I've met so many great people in Dunoon since moving here 8 years ago.

ATomeOfOnesOwn · 05/06/2020 14:59

I agree with PPs that it's a long commute unless your DH's job is actually outside of Dunoon rather than near Glasgow. I also think Dunoon is an odd choice for someone relocating from London. It's very, very different from an amenities pov and a much smaller community. If you can say the area where your DH is going to be, MNers could suggest areas, houses and schools that might suit you better.

TomDunoon · 05/06/2020 15:03

@IHaveBrilloHair

You really can't commute from Dunoon to Glasgow.
Hi IHaveBrilloHair, not true! I and many others commute from Dunoon to Glasgow daily. There's also the choice of train & ferry or driving & ferry. I don't know anyone who does drive by land all the way as it takes longer.
TomDunoon · 05/06/2020 15:09

@Teacaketotty

I grew up in Dunoon and went to the grammar school and although it is nice - commuting to Glasgow every day would be impossible.

Also it’s not the most exciting place to grow up, I personally couldn’t wait to leave. Maybe look at towns on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Hi Teacaketotty, As I've said elsewhere, it's not "impossible" to commute from Dunoon to Glasgow, in many ways that's one of the best things going for it. Family life in Dunoon is great. I know that many do want to leave who have only ever lived here - I think that's normal! but equally I know more who have moved away to Uni and then returned to start a family here.

Thankfully Dunoon is much nicer and safer than many towns on the outskirts of Glasgow - I'm biased! As we choose to move to Dunoon, having looked at lots of smaller towns, villages and the very rural still being commutable to Glasgow. Dunoon met our requirements of public transport links & local facilities. It's certainly not like London - but I think that's the point. Sea & Mountain!

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/06/2020 16:45

Ok then, you can, but I live at the end of the trainline to Glasgow/Edinburgh and even that's a pain, particularly in winter.
I absolutely wouldn't do it with a DC of that age either, all the fun stuff is in Glasgow.

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/06/2020 16:52

Im in Argyll and Bute btw, so not really considered on the outskirts of Glasgow, and lots of kids at the school here are from further out.
Arrochar, Tarbet, Rhu, Gairlochead, Rosneath.
I don't have an issue with Dunoon btw, I just think its not the best place for commuting, and especially with a DC of that age.

Jingstohang · 05/06/2020 19:59

Dunoon is a ghost town these days. Move somewhere that's actually nice.

EmmaC78 · 05/06/2020 20:39

@TomDunoon

Hi, I and many others in Dunoon (pre-Covid) commuted to Glasgow every day or at least several days a week depending on when they need to be in offices for work. Many do drive and use excellent 3-4 ferries an hour Western Ferry service, or in my own case use the smaller CalMac passenger only ferry service (2 and hour) that connects with fast trains to Glasgow Central. I can be from my house to office in 1.5 hours. There is an early morning and very late night services, so it's perfectly doable! The commute is also one of the most beautiful journeys (in good weather) It's also really socialable and is how I've met so many great people in Dunoon since moving here 8 years ago.
How often are the ferries cancelled in bad weather? It does sound like a manageable commute but I would worry about being stuck away from home in winter.
BilboBercow · 05/06/2020 20:43

Op Tell us your budget and what you're looking for and we'll find you somewhere perfect. Dunoon isn't terrible but it's a bit of a random place to move to if DH is working near Glasgow

BilboBercow · 05/06/2020 20:51

In terms of area, both Gourok and Helensburgh are really nice areas closeish to Dunoon but with direct train lines. They're also pretty middle class.

thatselementary · 05/06/2020 20:54

I live near Dunoon and no way could you do that commute without a serious impact on sleep or time together.

thatselementary · 05/06/2020 20:55

@IHaveBrilloHair I live near some of those areas, I wonder if I know you 😂

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/06/2020 21:20

I'm gutted that we've lost our Waitrose!

thatselementary · 05/06/2020 21:27

@IHaveBrilloHair Dunoon still has Morrison's 😂 we only have a co op!!!

Snappyteabread · 05/06/2020 21:29

If you tell us where the job is going to be based, and what kind of vibe of place you want to live, and your budget and house requirements and we can help you.