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 I have said I find this ridiculous and that this idea of ‘get out of my village’ is an outdated and judgemental view.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.

Oh we would be absolutely supporting the local economy - we’d try and source all produce we use locally and advertise local businesses and things.

@osbertthesyrianhamster we have experience of the hospitality industry and we are saving like mad to do this.

You don't seem to want to hear anything other than what you want to hear, so go for it. There's no guarantee you won't face hostility but well, you're hellbent on it.

@osbertthesyrianhamster eh? You’ve come on here really aggressively, I haven’t said anything of the sort, I actually asked if people would recommend we didn’t. Then I said two lines about how we do have experience and we’re saving. What are you on about?

@osbertthesyrianhamster please point out to me where things have fallen on deaf ears

They'll welcome tourism, anyone who holidays there but it seems quite a close knit community and they don't want their businesses taken away by people outside their community which is understandable as they have worked hard to get there and you will be a threat to them. It sucks but it is understandable. However if you just want to live there you would hope they would be friendly but it seems not.

I'll be moving to the Highlands in a couple of years and plan to start a business there too. Shall we move next to each other (but, with a bit of distance of course) for moral support?

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

Hostility won't be due to the fact you are English. It would be due to the fact that the Highlands are dying because of people coming and buying properties pricing out locals (not the only factor, but a big one)

@CindyTrevaskis

Oh we would be absolutely supporting the local economy - we’d try and source all produce we use locally and advertise local businesses and things.

@osbertthesyrianhamster we have experience of the hospitality industry and we are saving like mad to do this.

That sounds great. Yes, go for it! I've lived all over the Highlands and it's just so common for people from all over the UK to move there. Don't feel you have to explain your reasons for moving to people on Mumsnet either.
You sound like you have a plan and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. If you don't try it though, you'll likely regret it for the rest of your life.

Have you ever been to Scotland OP? Spent much time anywhere in the Highlands? You sound a little like you are having a day dream, which is absolutely fine, but running a B&B can be rather a lot of hard work, especially in a remote location.

As for this 'incomers' nonsense, please don't let it put you off if you are serious about your plan. Any small community will be cautious about new people arriving and setting up a business - it takes time to be accepted.

It would be due to the fact that the Highlands are dying because of people coming and buying properties pricing out locals (not the only factor, but a big one

Eg . www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/petition-launched-to-tackle-jobs-and-housing-crisis-in-skye

I have recently moved to a small village in the Highlands. Everyone has been lovely, but there was a noticeable change when they realised a young family were moving in to live - not for me and my husband to do the place up for Air BnB. Like a lot of PP have said, people will ve suspicious until you can show you will be a benefit to the community.

I lived in Scotland (Moray) for years, and my English parents still live there. No real anti English sentiment experienced except maybe a few jokes. 🤷‍♀️

There are significant issues in the Highlands and Islands with locals being priced out of housing.
There are also issues with older incomers and young people leaving.
The local economies are already unbalanced towards tourism.

I would be cautious about moving my English DH and dc back to Scotland. However as older people you are much less likely to get overt hostility.

I would also mention that you need to think about Independence in terms of another referendum and what happens if independence is chosen.
The ref was caused significant divisions last time.

Op you certainly won't be either the first or last to do this even if it isn't what locals would choose for their areas.

Move to Aberdeenshire in a village 18mo ago. All fine. Will be doing more joining in when more places open but no hostility, the kids all have friends and everyone very chatty.

I would recommend the east coast for doing this.

you might get anti english crap from some people, but i doubt it would be everyone. Id definitely scope out places that have good vibes and where youre not the only forriner. I think a tiny village would be more risky than a town

“As for this 'incomers' nonsense, please don't let it put you off if you are serious about your plan. Any small community will be cautious about new people arriving and setting up a business - it takes time to be accepted.”

We moved to one of the touristy places mentioned upthread when I was 6... my mum has lived there for 34 years now, she’s still not a local and people will tell me I’m not actually from there, so I mean, depends what you mean by time, lol.

Being English was never an issue though.

I grew up on an Island where to get the formal identification as a local you had to have three generations living there.
Being born there wasn't enough.

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
That's disgusting.
I lived in Glasgow in the 90s (I know it's a long time ago) and had people mocking my accent (actually, doing an upper-crust RP, hilariously seeing as I have a common-as-muck East Mids accent!) and deliberately voicing anti-English sentiments to each other with a side-eye at me to gauge my reaction.
I love Glasgow but that does taint my memories of it a bit.
Don't know if it'd be worse or better in the Highlands. Agree with pps who say spend time there in advance, visit local businesses who you envisage sourcing from/promoting etc.

NeverMetANiceOne
'Have you ever been to Scotland OP?'
Have you not read the OP properly?

Hey OP!
I'm English but lived in North East Scotland for over a decade.
Yes I have had my fair share anti English sentiment but mainly around referendums and elections.

My town also has a certain element of "its incomers fault" on some things but for each person who comes out with it (usually on local groups) there are 5 telling them to be quiet.

I would suggest visiting the places that you wish in winter and see if you still like them.

The likes of Glencoe is used a mix of people anyway but it's always good to gauge if you want to live there when it's damp, dark and cold! 😂

I second everything @ditalini said. My own community and many others in the Highlands is full of folk from all corners of the UK and the rest of the world, we mostly all get along just fine. Being decent to others is far more important than your accent!

Of course there are insular folk in every community too - and folk who confuse politics with nationalities - but they can easily be avoided and don't generally dictate the ethos of a community.

One thing I would say is that property prices are beginning to rocket with many people looking to relocate to the Highlands - I know a couple of estate agents and properties of all types are being sold within a couple of days of coming on the market. I guess lots of people are reevaluating their lives post Covid and working from home possibilities are better now too.

Good luck with your plans

Come and move to Shetland :) We are keen for people to move to the islands.

My “home” village in the southern highlands is anti-second homers and people buying houses for self catering but would welcome you if you were starting or buying a B&B. The difference is you would be contributing to local businesses and taking part in the community.

I really think it depends. I have family of the islands and lots of English folk happily own businesses there. I work with a fair few English people who are very happy in Scotland.

My in-laws moved to the Highlands the beginning of last year. The locals have been nothing but nice to them. They made sure they were okay during lockdown, real little community.

I'm English and have lived in Scotland for over 20 years. Yes, I have encountered anti English feeling. It will increase unfortunately with the ever pending Scexit.