Moving to Scotland - arty & outdoorsy

[Redqueenheart]

I am planning to move to Scotland from Kent now that I have a fully remote role.

Requirements are:

• somewhere that might have some kind of artist/craft community established as I am a painter
• sailing, walking groups, swimming or horse-riding as I am very much into sports
• anywhere in the country as long as from commuting distance to either Glasgow or Edinburgh (up to one hour). I have a long-term heath condition which might need more specialist medical care as I get older
• decent broadband access
• A small house is fine (2 bed) is all I need but it must have some decent outdoor space for my pets
• Access to a train station. I probably will need to travel to London for work a few times every year
• Budget: £250,000 max. I don't want to take on a mortgage again
• Quiet and safe as I will be living alone
• Schools/universities are not a concern anymore
• Not after a busy nightlife at all but I enjoy independent cafes and restaurants.

Would anyone be able to suggest where they think I could fit in? I am not English (British, but originally from an EU country).

The people I know in Scotland are in Edinburgh/Fife but I really don't mind moving somewhere completely different where I can also make new friends.

Any advice most welcome!

Definitely the Broughty Ferry area of Dundee! Ticks all of your boxes. Dundee is on the east coast mainline so access to London etc. Dundee has a vibrant artistic community and Broughty Ferry is a lovely place to live.

''@42isthemeaning
Scottish Borders - in the east if you like seascapes, west if you like hills!
Very tranquil, easy to commute to Edinburgh''

I had places like Melrose and Gala on my list too but not sure about what to look for in the East?

Perthshire, particularly Auchterarder, Dunning and Blackford. All easy reach to Gleneagles Station which has direct train to London as well as trains via Stirling to Edinburgh and Glasgow (some trains direct to Glasgow and Edinburgh). Good access to outdoors activities.

Friends live just outside Crieff in Muthill which is slightly further to gleneagles station, but there's a good crafty scene there. Some houses in Auchterarder and Dunning in your price range too.

@Redqueenheart
Kelso is very pretty and there are lovely little villages dotted around. House prices are higher in Melrose. I'm sure Galashiels has some lovely houses but the town centre is a bit rundown.

Findhorn.

Dunbar has lots of arty people and has a train station. It’s cheaper than N Berwick too! The East Neuk of Fife as people have said is very arty. The borders also have lots of arty people, concentrate on towns with train stations .

West Kilbride will be the cheapest as Ayrshire is generally cheaper than the rest of Scotland. It is a fair trade village with a few indy shops. Seamill is the nicest bit of town and there are views to Arran.

Arran is also an option or Rothesay or Millport if you can tolerate the ferry.

Gourock is nice, lots of shops. Amazing views. Easy access to Argyll via the ferry. It even has a Lido!

Wigtown, the book town is unique but a bit out of the way.

Moffat is just off the M74 so easy for car access but not sure about the train.

Biggar is also a pretty country village. But maybe too remote?

South Queensferry has spectacular views of the 3 bridges over the Forth, an artist's dream! It has one of the prettiest high streets in Scotland. Plenty of good cafes and great ice cream. Lots of boat trips.

Or across the Forth the East Neuk towns are lovely, picturesque and have makars.

St Andrews is probably too pricey but a great art scene/ theatre/ cinema/ shops/ cafes if you think the architecture and beaches make up for all the American accents!

Pitlochry has a big theatre. Beautiful landscapes all around. On the Trainline. Cafes etc.

Gairloch has a lot for a small village as it's the hub of the area. Access to scenery. But takes a long drive back to the central belt.

Golspie/ Dornoch/ Black Isle (not an island) for the bill other than being much further north. Dolphins. Stunning beaches. Indy shops.

Or the towns in Royal Deeside. Not very accessible but pretty and a mix of access to mountains and big sand dune beaches. Lots of nice shops.

Troon, balloch, Helensburgh. South queensferry

Also Take a look at Thornhill in Dumfries - seems ideal to me with what you are looking for

or as a pp suggested Kircudbright or Wigtown (both further than an hour but good transport )

Your budget won't stretch to elie or anstruther (you could get a small flat but not a garden)

I love Thornhill, it’s one of my favourite places. 15 miles to Dumfries and if you’re lucky with traffic, just over an hour’s drive to Glasgow.

espc.com/property/2-alpine-place-thornhill-dg3-5np/36114690?sid=930038

I think Helensburgh would be ideal for what you are looking for too.

Findhorne on the Moray Coast

The train from Inverness to Edinburgh takes about 3 1/2 hours. Findhorn will take you considerably longer as you would change at Inverness then 30 mins on a train, then a bus. Ayrshire or other south of scotland options seem to fit your needs better

From the Strathspey area, it's not as long on the train to Edinburgh as it is from Inverness.

Dunbar - as someone else said - some of the East Coast Mainline trains stop there so easy access to London as well as Edinburgh. East Coast of Fife - but not as far up as the East Neuk which isn't served well by trains - Burntisland and Kinghorn are nice, as is Aberdour but some say it's overpriced. Whilst the East Neuk doesn't have trains, there are local buses and Pittenweem has a tidal pool and an arts festival.

@squix yes, I was on the train to Edinburgh last week and we passed Dunbar which I thought looked great and as you suggested it has good train links. It is definitely on my list. Thank you for mentioning East Neuk and Pittenweem.

Aberdour, Dalgety Bay, Burntisland, Helensburgh, South Queensferry, Kinghorn Troon and West Kilbride are also on my list. I added Dunfermline as there seems to be a lot of properties available there and it is a short trip to the sea.

I have left out for now anything that is not a seaside location (or very close) as I really want to live near the sea.

Thank you so much everyone for all the suggestions!!

Dunbar. Much cheaper than North Berwick, very pretty seaside town, loads of artsy things going on there and East Lothian in general.

It's on the East Coast Mainline so fast trains to Edinburgh (as well as ScotRail trains) and some of the London trains stop there if you’re heading south.

I would advise the east coast of Scotland as after Kent I think the west coast rain would bring you down.

Hood luck Op - hope you find somewhere lovely. Although if you find somewhrre in pittenweem on that budget youre a bloody magician! I lust after the east neuk of fife. My budget £400k & i cant get a garden and 3 rooms 🤣

Hope you enjoy our wonderful country. Welcome 💐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@beachcitygirl Thank you. I only need 2 beds and will happily take a flat if no house is available. In the end I will move somewhere I can afford :) which is why I am keeping my search broad. As long as it is safe, friendly and near the sea I am in! It is indeed a wonderful country with wonderful people.

@Redqueenheart i noticed this on rightmove. Its in troon. A flat but has a private garden. V reasonable price

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126435569

West Linton/ Carlops pretty village/ Hamlet.

Linlithgow would be great...20 mins by train in to Edinburgh/ 35 to Glasgow, very active community and lovely High Street with lots of independent shops and cafes. Surrounded by country parks, loch and canal and only 5 min drive to nearest coast, including port edgar for sailing and other watersports

Example of what you could get in Linlithgow www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126982952#/?channel=RES_BUY

@beachcitygirl yes I really like this. Troon is definitely somewhere where I could get something for my budget with more than enough space.

I did not look at flats in the beginning because I hate the English leasehold system but I now realised the system is different in Scotland so this type of flats (in a smaller building or conversations rather than new built) would be great for me I think.

@Givemestrengthorvodka thank you for suggesting this location. I thought Linlithgow was out of my price range but it is interesting to see flats that are within budget.

@Redqueenheart Have you considered Leith? Fab location, lots of lovely shops and cafes plenty going on in arts (and crafts) terms. It has very good transport links, beside the sea. Best of all, everything Edinburgh has to offer is on your doorstep.