The Highlands: what is it really like?

[JumboBeef]

After seeing The Highlands mentioned on another thread, I would like to ask those who live there what it is really like.

I have the opportunity of taking a work commitment which would mean spending half my time there (in The Cairngorms to be exact) starting next Spring.

I currently live in Cumbria and have lived in The Borders and I suppose the one thing which might put me off it the lack of light in the winter: how bad is it, really?  I have also lived in Devon (in three different parts of Devon actually over the years) so I am sensitive to the light issue in the winter.

No doubt there is a lot more snow than down South: I'd welcome snow over rain anyday though.

To those who have moved there: do you ever regret doing so, or have you been there and moved back south?  Or do you love it!?

Thanks!

[hrh_dave]

Well put it this way.... Bright sunny day... in the shade about 1deg.... in the sun.... shorts and tshirt weather.... though wait a day and we could be under a foot of snow......

[JumboBeef]

So, you like it?

I see you're in Morayshire: not that far from where I'm looking.  How long have you been there and what made you want to move there?

[hrh_dave]

Yeh we love it!!!! As with moving anywhere its what you make of it! The light issue... well its light from about 0830 till around 4 pm at the moment and getting lighter all the time... We moved up from the borders.... where it was more grey days than sunny and seem to be the exact opposite up here. We have only been up here from about a month and half, we came up here to take on the management of this place... www.auchinroath.co.uk as it's my aunts. Summer seems to last a lot longer up here as we were up for a holiday at the start of Oct and it was roasting!

Hope this helps.... If there is anything else, let us know....

Dave

[crazymac]

You'll notice from my details that I'm in Wales, but i'm a Scot by birth, born just outside Oban, but moved to Glasgow as a ten year old. I moved to Wales when I was about 20.

Anywhere can be home as long as you put the effort in, but the Highlands are among the most magical places on earth. Go for it, when you have shorter days you make better use of them and enjoy snuggleing up at night!! In the summer you have longer days so it all balances out!!

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

Look through the members list and find Highlander1. He lives up there. Drop him a PM and I'm sure he'll let you know all the pros and cons.

[Drift]

Ive spent a fair bit of time around Aviemore  and a bit more West at Dores on Loch Ness at a  friends rental cottage, mostly in the throws of winter, but did a couple of summers and only one was midge ridden, as bad down south now, but anyway, if you have the chance go for it, very friendly communities, save mine and my friends life once when we walked from Aviemore to Braemar  with a night stop camping near Loch Arvon, the Loch was frozen we even didnt realise we where trying to pitch the tent on ice   :shock:
Anyway we got tgo Braemar late night the next day and we could hardly walk, wet feet for over 48 hours hurt, we aimed for the Youth Hostel and to our horror it was shut  :shock:.
We wondered around and a door at a shop opened and an old guy and his Mrs invites us to stay, wood burning stove and food not out of a bag.
The best bit, there wasnt any spare beds, but a sleeping bag next to the fire... the biz 

Point is ... can I have your chance  pleeease 

[JumboBeef]

OK, to drag this back up..............

I still have the chance of moving/working in The Highlands area, but now I'm looking at either the Isle of Arran or the Isle of Mull.

Anyone live there/been there?  According to Wiki, although Arran is much smaller (167 square miles) it has more people at 5,058 compaired to Mull, which has only 2,667 people over 338 square miles.

....but what are either of them actually like to live on.........?

[V8MoneyPit]

My wife has a long time friend who lives on Arran. She loves it there. She lives on the southern end of the island looking out at Ailsa Craig. Very picturesque..... well, it is when the rain is anything less than horizontal  :lol: I've been there a couple of times and despite the relative high population (!) it is still pretty empty!

[karloss]

I moved up here about 5 years ago, lived in fort Augustus for a while amongst other places. Moved onto Skye a year ago. It's totally what you make of it. Personally I love it and have never regretted it for a second. No green lanes tho' which is rubbish beyond belief. Locals can be friendly, unpleasant, kind, nasty, sociable, unsociable. Just like anywhere else on the planet really. You've got to look at the reasons you have for moving versus the reasons you have for not doing and weigh up the pros and cons. HTH, probably not!

[v8kenny]

The Isle of Mull is beautiful at any time of the year
If you like scenery then you wont beat it
There are great pubs all over the island and the social life is great
If you are into motorsport there is a very active car club on the island - they run the Mull forest stages rally ( on tomorrow by chance ) and the 3 day Tour of Mull in October, this is held on closed public roads and is widely tipped to be the best rally in the world

Although I can see Arran from my house I have only been over to the island a few times  :oops: so cant comment much apart from the scenery being nearly as good as Mull   
The weather for both islands will be similar as they both bask in the gulf stream and dont really get that cold in the winter

[JumboBeef]

Thanks!

I'm still trying to find out as much as I can about Mull as the chance of living and working there is now a very real one!

I'm planning to visit within the next two weeks.

[v8kenny]

Don't forget your camera !  ;)