Moving west coast Scotland from midlands

[Daniellezll]

Hi,
I’m currently a Police Officer in the Midlands, I am looking to potentially transfer to Police Scotland, in particular the rural transfer option. At the moment the available areas are Argyll (Specified as South Kintyre and the islands/Mid Argyll/Oban inc North/South/Lorn and Isles.
This is open until Sept this year, I won’t be applying this year due to needing to sort personal circumstances here, so the locations could be different next time the opportunity comes up, but I would most probably be looking around Argyll/Isles/West etc.
I’m just after some guidance on areas, I have started some research on coastal Argyll areas but clearly it’s a massive area. I will be planning on coming up to look at particular places but just want to narrow it down as much as possible.
Things I’d like (I know I’ll have to balance out some..!) – Reasonable house prices, generally nice area, fairly local beaches/walking areas, reasonable transport links e.g. within 2 hour train of Glasgow, Within about 7 hours drive of home now (Lincoln – East Midlands). I’m single but like my own space so am happy to be fairly rural/remote, but would like to be within distance of some kind of infrastructure with a café or two etc.
Areas I’ve looked at so far – Helensburgh – Looks nice and has good rail links, can get to Glasgow/Fort William etc easily and close to Loch Lomond. Doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of property within budget (Up to around 180k) other than flats though and all seems to be within the town. I’d preferably want a little 2 bed cottage either detached or semi with garden.
Dunoon – Really reasonable house prices, some research has suggested it’s a nice place to live, some on forums say it is run down and there is a lot of drug use/violence? I’m happy to clearly deal with that at work but don’t want to live with too much of that on days off!
Bute and Oban – Both look nice but both seem expensive for property.
I’d consider the islands but don’t want to be so rural that it’ll cost hundreds in ferries/travel to get to a main airport or visit back home. I do love Harris/Lewis (I know it’s not Argyll) but think I would be too remote.
Any help/guidance appreciated. I know there will be a lot of research ahead! 😊

Hi @Sommerled I’m going to speak with Police Scotland and see how likely this is as an option! I’m hoping so as it would also allow for a quicker transfer rather than waiting for me to buy, it would definitely make things easier!

I think you’d be extremely lucky to get a police house these days. There are hardly any left and they are usually advertised as a job, or uninhabitable. People don’t tend to be given them as a move the way you could be told you’re moving from Wester Hailes to Corstorphine and here’s your 28 days notice. If you were given an island posting, you might be able to bunk in short term with someone who has a house with a spare room but not if they have a family. Summer secondments are put up in a hotel for the duration.

The SOP for postings recommends a max commute of 35 miles or 45 minutes. You might be better deciding where you want to live rather than were you want to work. If you chose Helensburgh like you mentioned originally, with that commute, you could be in line for G division because you could go as far east as Govan and still be within that time and mileage. Probationers are asked to choose three divisions when they start so it stands to reason not all will get their first choice. If you want remote with less chance of getting a Glasgow office, go further into L division or try Ayrshire (U).

Also, not sure what service you have but we are on a different pay scale and take eleven years to get to the top. That might have an impact on your budget if you’re not there yet.

Good luck!

There aren't any police houses any more, and lots of the areas you describe wouldn't be rural transfer options. Certainly not Helensburgh or Inverclyde.

Surely you'll have to go where the jobs are, so research into areas at this stage won't be helpful?

There are many police houses still in use in rural areas!

IME the midges on the west coast are unbearable particularly if you’re the top choice on their menu which I am. I cannot sit outside for more than 5 minutes once they come out. I adore the west coast but I couldn’t live in an area where there are lots of them. Some people are not affected by them but both my younger DC and I are eaten alive in seconds and then covered in huge itchy red spots for about a week whereas my older DC doesn’t understand what the problem is.

Should just add that the rain is also an issue on the west coast as it is where I live on the south west coast (no midges here) but let’s face it no one in their right moves to Scotland because they are seeking warm sunny dry weather 😀. It’s still stunningly beautiful here even in the rain.