English person moving to the Highlands

[CindyTrevaskis]

So DH and I are planning to move to the Highlands in a few years. We want to open a B&B somewhere in the countryside.

We have been told that we will not be welcomed by locals from others. I have said I find this ridiculous and that this idea of ‘get out of my village’ is an outdated and judgemental view. I’ve never found an issue whenever I’ve stayed up there for holidays, everyone is always lovely.

Please tell me I’m right and that it won’t be a problem? I’ve loved Scotland since I was a little girl and this is my absolute dream.

Sadly it might be.
Especially if your business takes business away from any other locals.
Holidays are different.

Racism & xenophobia does still exist. Sadly.

I don't know about the Highlands but loads of English people live in my part of Scotland (east coast) and have never had any issues. I can't imagine you will have any issues but I am not familiar with small highland villages.

As someone who lives in the highlands I have seen this happen quite often, unfortunately you may experience this.

I don’t think holidays are any basis for comparison, OP. And while I know nothing about being English in Scotland, I’d lived happily in London as an Irish person for many years, but was completely taken aback by the level of xenophobia and anti-Irish microaggressions I encountered once I moved to a village in the Midlands. I suspect that if I’d been running a business that relied on local goodwill, it might well have been very difficult.

I’m really upset to read this. Is it just because we’re English? Not local? Or would it be because we tried to open a b&b?

I love Scotland, it’s always been my dream to live there.

This didn't happen to me as I had family who were prominent locals so was already known in the community and if anyone said anything people would defend me as their relative; however, it happened to other incomers in a 'taking local jobs from local people' and 'they can't understand cos they didn't grow up here'.
I love the area and the people but I got a free pass in a way and think I would've felt very differently without it

Should've said - when we moved there were areas actively looking for immigrants due to danger of losing their services etc, so maybe look for one of those? If you have kids/planning a family it would be easier as people are keen to keep schools open etc

I stay in a village but near Glasgow and I've never heard anyone display racism or xenophobia. However it's quite a 'nice' village so that may be why. Maybe it would be more old fashioned in somewhere more remote like the Highlands.
I don't want to get into any political arguments but last time we had an independence referendum anti Westminster (read anti English) sentiment ran very high. It was awful. So with the current push for another Indy ref I can sadly see this happening again.

I used to stay near Ullapool and unfortunately B&Bs priced younger locals out of the area. It was also an issue for the school and the salmon farm needing incoming staff but no accommodation available.

Where are you hoping to buy?

As a PP says, a lot will depend on where you're thinking of.

East coast, even very inland east is absolutely fine, not heard of any issues.

Proper Highlands, Island, north and north west coast it sadly might be an issue, depending where.

My SIL was saying that local shops up in Lochinver and Ullapool were flat out refusing to serve anyone not 'local' in all the lockdowns. A strong anti English sentiment built which surprised her (she's Scottish)

It may be more helpful to think about it in terms of "incomer" rather than an anti-English thing.

Some small communities can be unwelcoming to people moving into the area without existing links and this applies if you're from Zurich, Dublin, London or Edinburgh. Usually its a small minority and it's by no means universal.

This, by the way, is a small-community thing, not a Highland thing. You'd find the same all over, particularly if you're perceived to be "taking" something away from the community that you're not yet a part of in terms of resource. Equally, if you're contributing to the community in a positive way then you may be welcomed with open arms!

So, if you're buying an existing B&B that brings business into the community it might be perceived differently to if you were buying up housing stock and making it more difficult for young families to stay in the area.

But at the end of the day, friendly people make friends and you'd soon be part of the furniture if you just got stuck in I'm sure.

I have always loved Glencoe and Loch Lomand, so maybe there. DH found a property he loved near Glenlivet, But we’re open really. Just want nature and expanse and space.

Do people think it wouldn’t be a good idea?

I’d also move to an island happily

I adore Scotland and have visited many times. I've spoke to a lot of people who run B&B's, cafes and resturants who have all said that they are only accepted because one of the pair are Scottish. If I were to move I think I'd move to somewhere near a more touristy area - like Oban / Inverness but not way up in the Highland like Tounge or Thurso for example.

Cindy, if you've spent any time in touristy areas of the Highlands then you must know that huge numbers of small businesses are run by "incomers" - honestly, they're not all having a dreadful time!

Be mindful of your impact on the local economy and environment, be respectful of the knowledge and practices of the people that already live there (as you would be anywhere) and you'll be fine.

@CindyTrevaskis Would it help if you could visit your chosen area a few times, talk to the locals, building up friendships before moving there.

Hopefully you could find a way to support the community. For example, if fundraising is needed for a local project, you could get involved in setting up events etc.

People can be suspicious of newcomers but if you don't pose a "threat" to them they'll relax. Setting up a "rival" business means you may need to work harder at fitting in.

Hi OP, I promise we are a friendly bunch. Please do do be put off. There isn't an anti-English sentiment, although incomers might be held to higher standards that folk who've lived here all their lives if you see what I mean. Just be decent, and people will be decent to you.
What I have noticed increasingly, is bad feeling and resentment towards second home owners who leave properties empty for large parts of the year, or rent them out on air bnb - it makes it really hard for young people/families to get on the property ladder and pushes prices up. Doesn't sound like this applies to you though!

Never mind the English thing, I think this idea of opening a B&B in a few years is utter folly.

Totally agree, @ditalini, you’ve summed up the nuances very well

Why, osbert?

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

Why, osbert?

Because it's a good way to lose all you have or bankrupt yourself, especially in that area. There are a lot of AirB&Bs that are cheaper and they're stiff competition. It's a cuthroat business and if you have no experience in hospitality, it's not a good financial idea to pursue.

Loch Lomond and Glenlivet are hours apart, you may have totally different experiences in both.
I come from very close to Glenlivet and I can't see anyone batting an eyelid that an English couple would open a b&b there.
Good luck op

Of course anyone who can buy that big a property on Loch Lomond is loaded anyhow so maybe it all doesn't apply to the OP.

Scottish Govt are looking at the impact of Airbnb, especially in Edinburgh so there may be legislation going forward. There are places in the Highlands being completely hollowed out by Airbnb and 2nd home ownership - would imagine these will be more frowned on by locals than someone living and working in the area.