Edge not just flying in twice a year to buy a bannock at Mary’s
Waas and da Cake Fridge. Owned by a relative.
I get the boat.
depopulation is very real - which is why I want to keep this community real so my children will return from university.
You must know yourself that unless they are already in a serious relationship and work in healthcare or teaching, thats unlikely. What is likely is that one day they will inherit your home from you once its time and either keep it as a second home to retire to or sell it. At which point they will probably decide to sell it due to the high taxes on second homes.
of the 3 head-teachers here, none are “pure-blood” 🙄 - but all have chosen to make here their home and are active in the community.
And why do you think incomers have had to come up here to work as headteachers and why the roles weren't filled from the isles?
You must also be aware that where you have been lucky enough to live all or most of your life has had far less cuts than most parts of Scotland in public services. You were even still able to get the Council to tarmac your own drives til recently. There are almost no potholes on the roads. The leisure facilities are far better than any down south.
Traditionally, people have often had 2 homes where you come from. Many families had a flat in a city down south and came and went or kept it for their children at university. Many families went and returned over the years. Penalising people from the isles with higher taxes is no way to run a country. Its just awful and it will lead to more depopulation. You do not deal with depopulation by taxing people from the same country more to live there! The Faeroe Islands have double the population and are heavily subsidised by Denmark in a way that just doesn't happen here. Thats how you deal with depopulation though.
I think I've paid enough tax in Scotland over the years to plan my retirement here without being unfairly penalised by tax, but sadly its not the case so I'll take my money elsewhere.