tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319543192024-03-08T18:26:17.366+00:00Highland MoveThinking of moving to the Scottish Highlands & Islands? This blog has all you need to know to inspire and inform you for where to locate and have a better lifeDave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-71037643945969617042007-05-07T14:21:00.000+01:002007-05-07T14:54:30.484+01:00Flying to the highlands an islands - getting cheaper<div align="justify">The BBC has just reported on quite a big rise in use of the airports around the highlands and islands - 57% since 2000/2001. This is of course pretty good news for folk living in these areas because the cost of flying is likely to come down with greater use. The Scottish executive has made quite a lot of effort to make flying from Scotland's main airports to the highlands and islands easier and cheaper for residents. This is a massive help for those trying to run businesses from remote areas. The main initiative has been the air discount scheme which gives residents a 40% discount on airfares between Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Benbecula, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick airpoorts.</div><p><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6632183.stm">BBC story here</a><br /><a href="http://www.airdiscountscheme.com/airds/ads_dt_home.jsp?p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&pContentID=3&">Highlands and Islands air discount scheme website</a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-56896181667813135432007-05-03T14:26:00.000+01:002007-05-03T14:31:17.870+01:00Books...<div align="justify">It's funny how despite just about everything can be found on the internet these days but it still seems to take bloody ages any time you want to actually find it. So I've been trying to find ways to help folk find easier ways to get to the type of information they are after when visiting Highland Move.<br /><br />I will have more time over the summer to work on my websites and want to improve all aspects of them. It’s a bummer that I’ve not been able to update this blog much in the past few months, but I’ll shortly begin regular news and update post again – promise! One of the things I’ve been doing is using an Amazon feature to create my own ‘bookstore’ to help you find good books related to moving to the Highlands quickly.<br /><br /><a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/highlandmove-21">The Highland Move bookstore<br /></a><br />Click on the link to have a look. In the future you can find it on the sidebar of this blog. I’ll keep it regularly updated and try to get reviews up of new books that come on-stream. It an Amazon based thing, so you can buy any books straight from the shops if you like them. I thought it might be handy as it saves you searching through reams of pages and wondering which books are most up to date or highest quality.<br /><br />Enjoy.</div>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-21759023532940495142006-10-09T01:19:00.000+01:002006-10-09T01:36:25.288+01:00Fancy Canna?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/1600/Canna.0.png"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/400/Canna.0.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/1600/Canna.png"></a>The <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/5413934.stm">BBC report </a>that the National trust for Scotland are looking for 2 families to rent its properties on Canna and help stop the population fall any further than its present 15 residents (!). Apparently there is some opportunity to work "for those with building, gardening, electrics or plumbing skills". </div><div> </div><div>The pictured house certainly looks lovely. Although there are only 15 residents, Canna has 30,00 visits a year. The island was sold to the NTS in 1981 by Dr John Lorne Campbell who had himself bought it in 1938 for £9000. It was sold to them on the understanding that they would support the tiny community and not allow the island to become an unpopulated tourist attraction. It's good to see them keeping their word.</div>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-10393846776887993852006-09-28T15:59:00.000+01:002006-09-28T16:31:03.895+01:00Eco-Renovation<a href="http://www.eco-renovation.org/"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/400/eco-revovation.org.jpg" border="0" /></a> A voluntary initiative has started up based in Glasgow to encourage and facilitate eco-renovation; increasing the sutainability of people's own homes. The initiative is being laucnched with a series of interesting events at The Lighthouse in Glasgow, with full details on the <a href="http://www.eco-renovation.org/">Eco-renovation website.</a> The initiative is primarily aimed at urban houses but is obviously of interest to anyone who is interested in making their dwelling more eco-friendly. The initiative will share information about eco-renovation through blogs on their website and the series of events and workshops they are running. The events listed on the site so far are:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Powering your home: The present and future of micro generation.</span></strong> November 1st, The Lighthouse, Glasgow. 7.30pm<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Eco-renovation in action.</span></strong> November 15th, Adelaide's 209 Bath St, Glasgow. 7.30pm<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Eco-build and renovation: Meet the experts.</span></strong> November 29th, Adelaide's 209 Bath St, Glasgow. 7.30pm.<br /><br />All the events are free. For more information check out the <a href="http://www.eco-renovation.org/">website.</a>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-53409468530442046502006-09-25T14:29:00.000+01:002006-09-25T15:09:59.908+01:00Interview - Kenneth Ross, UllapoolNext up in Highland Move's series of interviews is Kenneth Ross who moved from Edinburgh up to Ullapool in the far North West of the Highlands. People tend to choose the west coast of Scotland rather than the east for a love of it's rugged landscape and mountains. So choosing the right area for you often means striking a balance between availability of jobs an property in the bigger towns like Oban and Fort William with having the quiet and rural feel of smaller villages dotted up and down the sea lochs. I asked Kenneth wher Ullapool lies on this balance and why it was right for him.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Where did you live before Ullapool and what made you move there? Were you looking for places in the NW or highlands in general or was it something specific about Ullapool?<br /></span><br />Before moving to Ullapool I lived in Edinburgh for quite a while and although that it was great at the time I eventually became disheartened with the city; the noise, the traffic, having to spend 2-3 hours in the car to get anywhere. A long time ago I’d had a summer job in Ullapool and it had always been in the back of my mind to move there permanently. For me Ullapool had the right balance between isolation and services. I didn’t want to drive for half-an-hour to buy a pint of milk or have to commute to work. Lochaber was another possibility, but it can still get pretty busy during the summer down there and the weather can be awfully wet! The weather in the far North West isn’t as bad as people think and Ullapool probably gets less rain than Glasgow. Lastly, really like living by the sea.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: What are the best things about living in Ullapool and it's surrounding area?<br /></span><br />The best thing is definitely the ease of access to fantastic wild countryside. Just being able to look out your window to check the weather, then go and do things locally is wonderful. Living in the country makes you more aware of the changing seasons and I like that. There is a much slower pace of life in the village and people just have more time for each other. There is also a sense of trust and community which is absent from the city.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Do you find it a welcoming place and have you made friends with many of your neighbours?<br /></span><br />On the whole people are friendly, certainly a lot more so than in the city. When I moved to Ullapool it was the middle of summer and busy with tourists and seasonal workers. A new face just didn’t stand out and it was only when things quietened down that I found it easy to make new friends. The population is approximately half locals and half incomers, and the locals can appear to be pretty cautious of outsiders. I’d say most of the people I’ve become friends with are incomers like myself.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Do you work in Ullapool itself? What are the main options for work in the area? Do you know people who live in Ullapool but work in Inverness or elsewhere? Do you find most people work in a narrow range of jobs or do you know lots of people who do many different things?</span><br /><br />Most options for jobs in Ullapool are tourist based. The main season is May to October when there’s lots a jobs in hotels and shops, and I’ve ended up working in various shops. Some people work in the rapidly declining fishing industry or offshore. Many people have more than one job so they can earn as much as they can in the summer. In the winter things are very quiet and some places shut for January. Not many people commute to Inverness as it’s at least an hour away, but quite a few people commute into Ullapool from Achiltibhuie and Dundonnel. Like many places in the Highlands the biggest job opportunities are for qualified tradesmen like plumbers or electricians. Wages are low but the quality of life is high.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: I know you are an outdoor person - do you find the North West’s climate difficult? Do you get frustrated with rain and dark winters, or does being so close to the places you do sport make up for that?</span><br /><br />Actually I don’t have much problem there. I like to do a lot of different things which I can fit around the seasons and weather. Because I work part time in the winter, I see a lot more daylight than I would with a 9-5 job in the city. Also, although you can get some bad spells the weather is often not as bad as people in the central belt might think. Honest.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: If you had another choice for where to move to in the Highlands and Islands, where would it be and why?<br /></span><br />Lochaber was somewhere I considered, because of greater range of job opportunities, but I think I made the right decision.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Any other comments/observations on living in Ullapool or advice for others thinking about moving?<br /></span><br />The biggest problem with moving to Ullapool is finding somewhere to stay, especially during the summer. Renting and buying are difficult, as many places are only let as holiday accommodation and the housing market is very small. Things are slowly improving with more housing being built, but the villagers get really frustrated when new houses are snapped up for holiday homes at inflated prices.<br /><br />Finally, you’ll NEVER get used to the midges and do watch out for deer on<br />the roads in the winter.<br /><br />Here are some sites where you can explore Ullapool on the web:<br /><a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ullapool/ullapool/index.html">Undiscovered Scotland Ullapool guide</a><br /><a href="http://www.ullapool.com/">Ullapool.com</a><br /><a href="http://t.webring.com/hub?ring=ullapoolandlochb">Ullapool webring<br /></a>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-60220653803723583682006-09-14T15:22:00.000+01:002006-09-14T16:49:11.281+01:00Interview, Joe French, Fort WilliamHighland Move will be featuring a series of interviews with people of different walks of life who have moved into the Highlands and Islands. I'll be asking them about what made them move here, what they do, what they like about the area and what challenges are there for peopke who want to move. I hope the interviews help inspire others. The first is Joe French who lives with his partner who moved from Sheffield to Fort William.<br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/400/Joe%20French.jpg" border="0" />Joe French</p><p><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Where did you live before moving to Fort William and what made you move?<br /></span><br />Joe: I lived in Sheffield before moving to Lochaber, I was lucky enough to be asked to work on quite a famous arts project called room 13.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Why did you choose Fort William what do you think the Fort and the Lochaber area has got going for it?<br /></span><br />Joe: Originally when we decided to move I picture getting a croft in the middle of nowhere, finding the mcfrench tartan and embracing a rural life! I’m really pleased that instead of isolating ourselves straight away we chose to move to Fort William. This enabled us to find a social network and make some good friends. For me this is really important. When you move to a small community it’s important to feel as though your part of something and not an outsider. Fort William is full of little cliques; it took a while to establish who were the right kind of folk for us to establish friendships with. <br /><br />My partner and I have lived in 10 different places in 8 years. For the first time in my life I have felt as if I want to put roots down somewhere. We have a good little house in town that over looks the loch, some good friends, amazing landscapes surround us and I feel Fort William is a town on the up. Sometimes it does feel ambit like a wild west town, as geographically its the last junction before some of Europe greatest wildernesses. It does have its problems, but doesn't everywhere? It seems like there’s a pretty even split between folk who have grown up here and are desperate to get away for the taste of the city and people who have chosen to move here because of its awesome surroundings and to get out of the city! (the pace of life here is markedly different from down<br />south).<br /><br />Fort William is one of the only major tourist destinations not to have had major investment and I think its only time before someone steps in with a lot of cash and drives this place forward.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Tell me about your work - What's your main job and what other projects are you involved in?<br /></span><br />Joe: I work for a very established arts project called room 13. We encourage children to empress themselves through creativity and try to balance out the monotony of the usual one size fits all curriculum. I’ve started my own version of this in Lochaber high school called studio 13. It’s a music and film studio run by the students for the students. I work as musician/film maker in residence and encourage and help them with their ideas. Have a look at <a href="http://www.room13scotland.com/">room13scotland.com</a> if you’re interested.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: You talked to me a little about how opportunities for work and business projects have been quite forthcoming in the area. Would you say the area is progressing quite fast?<br /></span><br />Joe: I am self employed so I have the freedom to work on other projects as well. We recently set up an artists co-op called Heather Hat , this is a group of creative young people who have a wide range of skills and can be called upon to work for people i.e. a local business needs a logo designing or the Council need a film made or work on our own projects such as the climbing film we're making about the glen. Fort William is the kind of place that if you want to you can make something happen. There is also lots of money sat in pots for people to apply for that wouldn't be there in a city. The area is progressing at a steady speed but could do with a lot more young determined folk here to drive it forward...<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: What are your favourite aspects of living where you do from a leisure point of view?<br /></span><br />Joe: I’m a climber and mountaineer so this area is perfect for me. I can get to the CIC hut from my house in an hour and a half on my bike or access some remote and wild places just as easily by a short drive. Sometimes the choice can be overwhelming...so I just stare at the loch from my window wondering what to do!! Since I’ve been up here I have also got into mountain biking. When your surrounded by such world class tracks its rude not to!<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: Do you know a lot of people who have moved into the area like yourself, and especially of similar age?<br /></span><br />Joe: Most of my friends up here have grown up here, gone away to uni and moved back. Lots of my friends would love the chance to live up here but are put off by the limited job opportunities... like I say though if your willing to get involved and maybe take a less than idea job, its the kind of place that something could happen if you have good ideas and are determined.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">HM: If you had a second choice for where to live in Scotland, where would it be and why?<br /></span><br />Joe: If not Fort William maybe I'd like to live on Skye, Its one of the most incredible places on the planet! But at least I can get there in a couple of hours if I want to!<br /><br />Living in Lochaber is a magic experience if you have the right head for it, yes it can be dreich and challenging but seeing a sunbeam slice through a storm cloud and the light and landscape thats ever changing gives me a perspective on the world that few other places could give.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">Thanks Joe and good luck with all your </span><a href="http://davemacleod.blogspot.com/2006/09/glen-nevis-misadventures.html"><span style="color:#ffff00;">projects</span></a><span style="color:#ffff00;">.<br /></p></span>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-89881374429215796922006-09-11T18:51:00.000+01:002006-09-11T19:00:54.721+01:00Geograph - Every corner of Scotland in photo!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/1600/Arnamurchan%20from%20Blaven.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5519/3900/400/Arnamurchan%20from%20Blaven.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/">Geograph</a> is an open online project to bring together images from every square km of the UK. Its broad aim is to bring maps alive and give a more human impression of the landscape, urban or wild, to the viewer. It's a pretty useful tool for exploring the country from a distant location in combination with <a href="http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/">free online OS maps</a>. You could use it to get a feel for a town or just to check out a view of somewhere you might not have an opportunity to get to, such as a remote island or mountain.<br /><br />The shot above is not from Geograph, its one of mine, taken in February this year. Its the Ardnamurchan peninsula seen from one of the few places you'll see the whole peninsula at one time - from the summit of Blaven on Skye.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1157377506734700932006-09-04T14:12:00.000+01:002006-09-06T10:01:28.610+01:00Relocation supportHighland Move is here to help provide inspiration to find the right places for you to move to in Scotland. It's also here to provide you with all the information you need to plan your move yourself. However, you may have chosen the right place already and are looking for someone to help you with the actual process and legwork (or should that be mousework) of finding property, schools to locate your family and perhaps your business premises too. There are several Scottish based companies offering just this service. You can see them below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.compass-reloc.co.uk/index.html">Compass Relocation </a>- based in Beauly near Inverness.<br /><a href="http://www.ruralrelocation.com/">Rural Relocation </a>- Offer property development and project management for the Perthshire and Kinross area. Interesting section on <a href="http://www.ruralrelocation.com/ecological_building/eco_pages/eco_building_intro.htm">'Eco-building' </a>dwelling houses, balancing an ecological approach with cost realities.<br /><a href="http://www.highlandmotorcyclehols.com/Elaine/relocate.htm">Elaine French </a>- Based in Inverness, offering property viewing and area information service.<br /><a href="http://www.scottishpropertyfinder.com/index.html">Scottish Property Finder </a>- The best website on this list with some details of the fees involved in the service, some tips for moving and other useful information.<br /><a href="http://www.scottsrelocation.co.uk/index.htm">Scott's Relocation</a>- Don't appear to cover the highland area "from Glasgow in the west, across to Edinburgh in the east and right up the coast to Aberdeen". But comprehensive service.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1157372386135017812006-09-04T12:59:00.000+01:002006-09-04T23:52:01.396+01:00Winter Scottish lectures<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/cairngormmist%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/cairngormmist%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Cairngorm in the grip of winter. This beautiful and interesting environment is the subject of Drennan Watson's lecture in Aberdeen this winter. (Photo: Steven Gordon)</div><br />For readers based in Scotland I'll post up details of interesting Scottish lectures related to living in Scotland and appreciating its environment. First up is the North East Mountain Trust's winter lecture programme which you can find details of <a href="http://www.nemt.org.uk/">here</a>. The talks are based in Aberdeen this coming winter. They include:<br /><br />Drennan Watson - <a href="http://www.nemt.org.uk/talks/2006_7/watson.htm">"The future of the Cairngorms - a reality check"</a>. The environmentalist and author will be talking about what has changed in the Cairngorm area in the 30 years of his work and what the future may hold for the area and its people.<br /><br />Andy Hall - <a href="http://www.nemt.org.uk/talks/2006_7/hall.htm">"A sense of belonging to Scotland"</a> Andy Hall's books have been described by Ewan McGregor as " the most beautiful collection of photos of Scotland that I've ever seen". Andy will describe the places he photographed & the people he met whilst exploring places of special meaning and famous Scots including Sir Alex Ferguson, Ian Rankin and Eddi Reader.<br /><br />Ellice Milton - <a href="http://www.nemt.org.uk/talks/2006_7/milton.htm">"Donside Seasons"</a> Wildlife watcher and pro photographer will take a photographic journey through the Donside seasons looking at habitats, plants, birds, animals and insects.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nemt.org.uk/talks/2006_7/macleod.htm">I will also be giving a lecture </a>for the NEMT on November 14th looking at my contributions and explorations in Scottish rock climbing.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1157367362207676042006-09-04T11:47:00.000+01:002006-09-04T11:56:02.206+01:00Finding your way around Scotland online<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/OS%20map.png"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/OS%20map.png" border="0" /></a> Anne asked if there was anywhere you could view maps of Scotland on the web to get an idea of distances from other places, commutes, etc when considering a property from abroad and without knowing the area well. The Ordnance Survey's <a href="http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/">'Get a map' service </a>allows you to navigate around Scotland, zoom in and out to show whatever you need and locate specific grid references. Very handy! You an also use the free <a href="http://earth.google.com/">Google Earth </a>feature to see aerial photographic images for anywhere on earth. The resolution appears to vary slightly depending on the terrain, but over bigger towns you can make out people, cars and houses easily! If you haven't used it before it's worth downloading just as an experience in itself - its fascinating.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1157028753921306712006-08-31T13:40:00.000+01:002006-08-31T13:54:34.036+01:00Local knowledge<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Claire%20&%20Kobi%20kiting%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Claire%20%26%20Kobi%20kiting%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kiting on Oldshoremore Beach, north west<br /><br /><p align="left">The BBC Scotland website's 'local knowledge' section for the Highlands and Islands asks locals and visitors to contribute their knowledge of their area each month. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/highlandsandislands/insider/local_knowledge/index.shtml?archive=current">This month they are deciding what is the best beach in the Highlands</a>. As many people are looking for a good beach to live near, whether its just to look at and appreciate, walk your dog, run, kite or surf. The beach below the village of Oldshoremore in the far north west featured in one of the contributors favourites. The picture above is from this beach, in the 26 degree heatwave of May this year (although there was a nice breeze too!). Another beach mentioned, the nearby Sandwood Bay is probably my favourite... or maybe Traigh Uige on Lewis... but then there's Bostadh on Great Berneray... and then theres...</p><p align="left">Local knowledge for these things really is priceless because you can never get round and see it all yourself. </p></div>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1156862889649047642006-08-29T14:47:00.000+01:002006-08-29T15:48:09.683+01:00The Western Isles - some observations and pictures<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/road%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/road%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a> The brand new road across the Clisham pass, completed in the past year makes the going between the cheaper Tarbert ferry and Lewis a lot easier.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/bank%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/bank%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a> In the Isles, many of the services come to you, in a fleet of vans! The bank travels down through its Harris customers. You'll see Libraries, bakers, banks, fuel, deliveries from Ikea... pretty handy.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/roof%20web.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/roof%20web.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's nice to see housing moving away from garish kithouses that clash with the landscape and taking more account of its visual impact.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/dunes%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/dunes%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a>Looking across dunes from Tuath towards Ceapabhal, Harris<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Scarista%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Scarista%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a>Looking across the golf course to the expanse of Traigh Scarista, Harris<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/peat%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/peat%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a>Peat - still very much part of life here.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/thistles%20web.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/thistles%20web.2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thistles, Scarista, Harris</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">As I visit the Western Isles each year I am always heartened and often surprised by the pace of change here. New Schools, <a href="http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/ionadspors/index.htm">facilities</a>, roads, <a href="http://www.andersonassociates.info/clients4.asp">community</a> and <a href="http://www.lanntair.com/">arts</a> centres and services everywhere. There is much progress to be proud of here. I'm sure it will continue to attract new people and help locals to stay and be happy. Jobs are of course the major stumbling block for people looking to relocate here. The range of employers in the isles is small (but that's not to say there aren't some interesting ones - more of this in future posts). Thus the internet entrepreneur (or those thinking of trying to become one) is well placed right now to take advantage of the opportunity to live with a low cost of property and living in an evironment that provides the balance between the rigours of business online and all the other aspects of life that many stresses business people would give their eye teeth for. The Western Isles Council has just launched <a href="http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eds/Creative%20Industries%20Strategy%20(Draft).pdf">an initiative</a> to support creative industries, including media in the isles. So the climate has never been better. </div>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154649865665062892006-08-04T00:13:00.000+01:002006-08-04T01:04:25.676+01:00The real calendar<div align="left"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Ben%20inversion2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Ben%20inversion2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Glorious winter sunshine that ran for a week and a half this January. It was a bitter -5 in the glens and balmy +5 on the mountain tops in the inversion.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Clyde%20storm%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Clyde%20storm%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a> A November storm crosses Cowal and charges up the Clyde, normal service is resumed...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Niall%20&%20Mr%20Cool%20web.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Niall%20%26%20Mr%20Cool%20web.jpg" border="0" /></a> Winters are long and dark, but some people love them - I certainly do! As do Niall and Mr cool here. Having precious few hours of winter sun makes me appreciate it all the more when it shows itself.<br /></div><div align="left">We often don't think of it but it's remarkable the effect of the passing seasons on many aspects of our lives and feelings. Living in the north of Scotland amplifies this effect a great deal with fewer hours of light and rather a lot of rain. But rather than this being a problem or a worry, it's something that I, and I believe many other Scottish based folk, relish. It's a good thing to really <em>feel</em> the seasons and their moods. Life in the static environments of big cities can numb an appreciation for nature's routine and its always tempting to live life to it's endless rythym of work and repetition. Thats not to say you can't (or won't need to!) do that in the highlands, but for many the type of activity, or routine will change and even if it doesn't you can still feel the season's clock reminding you that another year is dissapearing. You will never say "where did that summer go? it flew past". For me with an occupation in the outdoors (climbing) I appreciate the warm May breeze twice as much because the March squall on my face is still fresh in my mind.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">This blog is not just my story though. I'm going to interview as many people as I can who have moved. For any that read this blog - most people will be reading to find out your story, so please give your perspecitves on the topics in the comments.</div>Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154561211291176442006-08-03T00:06:00.000+01:002006-08-03T00:26:51.300+01:00Can you find beaches on planet eath better than these?<div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Harris%20sunrise.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Harris%20sunrise.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://silversprite.wordpress.com/tag/beaches">Silverspirite's Hebrides Beaches</a></div><br />John Kirremuir from Berneray has a personal mission to visit every beach in the Outer Hebrides. Therefore, John has almost certainly seen more beautiful beaches than any man on earth. If thats hard to believe, a look through <a href="http://silversprite.wordpress.com/tag/beaches">his blog </a>will convince.<br /><br />The Hebrides beaches are an experience that will leave a mark on anyone, whether you love nature and the outdoors or not.<br /><br />There are more lovely images of Berneray in the gallery pages of <a href="http://www.isleofberneray.com/">Berneray's site</a>.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154530362897488852006-08-02T15:30:00.000+01:002006-08-02T15:52:42.910+01:00Broadband in the Western IslesAn ever increasing number of small business owners who work via the internet are recognising the Hebrides as a fantastic base from which to run their e-business for high quality of life. One of the main questions from this group challenges has been the availability of a fast (broadband) internet connection in the Western Isles. The <a href="http://www.connectedcommunities.co.uk/">Connected communities </a>project was set up in order to meet this challenge and make sure that lack of a fast connection was not a hurdle for e-business owners thinking of locating in the Western Isles. The program has been up and running for some time and <a href="http://www.hebrides.net/index.htm">Hebrides.net </a>has all the details of the services on offer.<br /><br />The Highlands and Islands Pathfinder Procurement Project is a 70m government project currently underway to ensure that the entire Highlands and Islands area has access to the latest broadband connection technology and announced last month that <a href="http://www.thus.net/mediacentre/pressreleases/2006/2006-06-30.shtml">Thus plc </a>has won the contract to rollout the project. Rollout is expected to start next month and be complete by Sep 2008.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154400859625159312006-08-01T03:50:00.000+01:002006-08-01T03:54:19.626+01:00What can I say? Stunning!!!For pure inspiration through landscape photography, <a href="http://bigalba-photography.photopholio.com/index.html">Big Alba </a>is the best I have seen in a long time - Wow. More of the same please Alastair!Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154395482656107932006-08-01T01:53:00.000+01:002006-08-01T02:24:42.670+01:00Hebridean Homes contemporary kit houses<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Highlandmove%20banner.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Highlandmove%20banner.jpg" border="0" /></a> I guess the first thing that enters your head when imagining and planning a move to the highlands and islands is; "what kind of house will I live in?". Highland Move will be showcasing property options for ALL budgets over the coming months. For those looking at purchasing land and building your own house (obviously a pretty important option to consider if you are moving to the less populated Western or Northern Isles) check out the new <a href="http://www.hebrideanhomes.com/">Hebridean Homes </a>site. If you take a drive around, say, Lewis you will quickly notice that many of the modern kit homes are inspired by city suburbia and clash with the landscape. Hebrdean Homes provide contemporary self-build kit houses that are inspired by traditional rural architecture. The idea was conceived by <a href="http://www.dualchas.com/default.asp">Dualchas Building Design</a> to combine rural design with modern environmentally conscious construction and efficiency, and a recognition that many who move to the isles also use their hoes as their workplace via internet. The site features a budget planner so you can answer the crucial question of <a href="http://www.hebrideanhomes.com/guidance/budget.asp">how much will it cost</a>?.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31954319.post-1154362535349184062006-07-31T17:04:00.000+01:002006-08-01T01:36:26.746+01:00Moving to the highlands & Islands<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/1600/Highlandmove.6.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5208/3088/400/Highlandmove.6.jpg" border="0" /></a> Welcome to the Highland Move blog. This blog is a resource portal, news and information site on all things concerned with moving to or within the Scottish highlands and islands. It is a dream of many to move from the city or from somehwere else on the globe for a better life in the highlands and islands. But for many it might stay a dream, because they dont have access to the information to convice them it is possible to make it happen or to galvanise their motivation. This blog aims to help you make it happen and make it happen well.<br /><br />We will organise, review and explore all the sources of information on places to move to, what aspects of living are like there and put you in contact with all the right people to get going. We'll feature everything from study and job options and prospect, propery options, availability and resources, local services as well as describing the overall aesthetics of different locations to inspire you to go and make a life there!<br /><br />This blog is run by <a href="http://www.davemacleod.com">Dave</a> and Claire MacLeod, and was inspired by our own searches for information to find out if a move from Glasgow to the Hebrides was possible/viable/positive.Dave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.com8