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scotland

Where should we look for our house and land in Scotland?

Sweeping generalisations don't work too well in a small country with such diverse landscapes and climate.

Micro-climates and small areas, uncharacteristic of the particular region, complicate the issue. You need a good map to explore the many delights of Scotland, even from the armchair.

The task is best tackled by hiving off the areas first where generalisations can be justifiably used. 

First, the hilly region to the south of the central belt and encompassing the flatter industrial area between Glasgow and Edinburgh. For our purposes only, we will call it the Borders and include Dumfries and Galloway to the West.

In many ways the landscape, the availability of smallholdings and the prices, mirrors that of England, especially Northern England.

It is a quite densely populated area and even the more sparsely peopled hills are within commuting distance of larger towns and cities.

There is plenty of good arable land at the lower levels and although the range of crops is more limited than say, the south of England. A wide range of activities is still possible.

Prices are, however, very close to English levels, although the availability of smallholdings is probably a little better.

You will need a good map

The highlands and western islands of Scotland are often taken together as a single unit.

However that classification obscures many differences, all of which are of great significance to smallholders. 

Anyway, since the famous old counties of Scotland have been amalgamated into new regions, the  boundaries seem obscure and perverse even to some of the residents.

Pretty well all the islands are rather inaccessible and this will be a determining factor for many potential purchasers.

Most get cut off from the mainland by sea from time to time during the winter, although air services, especially emergency are maintained. Older children may have to go away to the mainland for education.

Living costs are high due to the extra cost of transport both for people and the necessities of life.

"Calmac" - the transport system for the western islands

A croft - common throughout the remoter islands and highlands.

The "croft" is the land on which lies the "crofthouse."

Land prices are cheap, there is a unique culture, which differs from north to south and a breathtaking landscape.

Gaelic is still widely spoken and the two religious traditions of Scotland are very much in evidence and a part of daily life.

Generally, the attractions go beyond the limits of a self-sufficient lifestyle and probably appeal more to those seeking remoteness and tranquillity rather than those seeking true self-sufficiency.

Sea fishing is, however, a real possibility as part of a self-reliant lifestyle.

The northern island groups of Orkney and Shetland have a very different non-Celtic and Nordic cultural history. 

Military, maritime and oil related bases make some more cosmopolitan. Despite a harsher climate, they still attract many settlers...although true all-round self-sufficiency must be very difficult, if not impossible.

Others, are fairly flat and barren and offer little to take the breath away apart from a constant wind from the south-west.

As with the neighbouring mainland, microclimates abound. Great estates with mature trees and walled gardens are surprisingly common - and have taken the most favoured locations. The island of Gigha, recently purchased by the islanders, is an example well worth a visit, but perhaps not for the purpose of house hunting.

Prices are still low, but generally most affordable where little arable is really possible. Deer can be a menace in some areas and you will see that intrepid gardeners have had to erect high fences to keep them out.

Fingal's Cave on Staffa.

Oban - on the mainland, but the departure point for many of the islands.

Prices reflect the convenience of being on the mainland, and the favoured sites are expensive.

Arable is very limited, as is the range of crops possible. This is sparsely populated sheep and deer country.

Lovely at any time of year, but not for smallholding.

A flatter landscape at lower levels makes all round self-sufficiency possible.

It is one of the drier parts of Scotland and whilst colder than equivalent areas to the west, it has extensive arable land to the east of the mountainous interior. 

Communications are reasonable. The cosmopolitan oil city of Aberdeen lends a degree of sophistication to the area.

Small land-holdings, with smaller houses are common and the prices are very reasonable and below equivalent English levels.

Less romantic, scenic and touristy than the highlands and islands, it can provide a realistic and practical life-style.

Scotland can be an attractive place to live, but for smallholding careful selection is essential.

You can return to Moving Away or take a look at England, Ireland, or Wales.

"contemplating Scotland"

by taking the low road from

 the lowly Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner.