NorthofEngland
Well-Known Member
In the Highlands and Islands of Scotland there are thousands of abandoned buildings.
Everything from one room crofters cottages to sizable upper class retreats.
The area has experienced severe depopulation over the last 300 years. Starting with the 'dispersal of the Clans' in the 1700's, up to the youth of the area heading to the cities to find work, over the last few decades.
Farming is far less manpower intensive than it used to be, and most of the areas jobs are connected to farming.
Tourism employs some on a seasonal basis but permanent employment is a rarity.
Because of the chronic depopulation of many places, the Scots government are very generous with the grants they award to anyone who applies for help from the home improvement fund.
It is possible to find an area that attracts you. Find an abandoned cottage in a remote and secluded location. Then live in a tent or caravan whilst renovating the building.
Gradually it will be possible to use parts of the house and, bit by bit, move from the tent to the home.
Some parts of the Highlands and Islands have the lowest density of population in Europe.
Some of the Islands and towns attract retiree's, people qualified enough to work from home and others. These places, despite being low by European standards, have higher populations and, as such, the local authorities are less desperate to attract settlers and less generous with the housing grants.
Other areas, such as Sutherland, mainland Scotland's most northerly county, are extremely underpopulated. This county has so many Lochs (lakes) and Bens (hills/mountains) to so few residents that it is possible to choose an abandoned home on an area of land that provides a Loch, a Ben and a Wood all of your own!
There are also islands with no residents still living there. From the relatively large and distant St Kilda (where the entire population was evacuated to the mainland in 1930) to many tiny specks of land that have the derelict homes of 2 or 3 former residents.
My dream is to find a remote and secluded spot with a good source of fresh water, a nearby wood and a lack of neighbours.
Although an Island seems more isolated I would imagine that the appearance of an individual settler would cause gossip which led to concerned neighbours sailing over to offer assistance.
The locals, in the North of Scotland, are very friendly, helpful and honest.
Doors remain unlocked and, often, small shops simply leave a sign apologising for no shopkeeper but asking customers to leave payment in a box or a bucket.
An isolated part of the mainland may be an easier place on which to remain undisturbed.
Whenever I went to buy supplies I would explain how I was there to concentrate on 'my writing' and emphasize how much I needed isolation.
No doubt any rural shopkeeper would perpetuate the desired gossip faster than a fibre optic internet connection could manage it!
Then, after a short time to learn the local ways and rhythm, I would start to plan an outdoor grow....
Everything from one room crofters cottages to sizable upper class retreats.
The area has experienced severe depopulation over the last 300 years. Starting with the 'dispersal of the Clans' in the 1700's, up to the youth of the area heading to the cities to find work, over the last few decades.
Farming is far less manpower intensive than it used to be, and most of the areas jobs are connected to farming.
Tourism employs some on a seasonal basis but permanent employment is a rarity.
Because of the chronic depopulation of many places, the Scots government are very generous with the grants they award to anyone who applies for help from the home improvement fund.
It is possible to find an area that attracts you. Find an abandoned cottage in a remote and secluded location. Then live in a tent or caravan whilst renovating the building.
Gradually it will be possible to use parts of the house and, bit by bit, move from the tent to the home.
Some parts of the Highlands and Islands have the lowest density of population in Europe.
Some of the Islands and towns attract retiree's, people qualified enough to work from home and others. These places, despite being low by European standards, have higher populations and, as such, the local authorities are less desperate to attract settlers and less generous with the housing grants.
Other areas, such as Sutherland, mainland Scotland's most northerly county, are extremely underpopulated. This county has so many Lochs (lakes) and Bens (hills/mountains) to so few residents that it is possible to choose an abandoned home on an area of land that provides a Loch, a Ben and a Wood all of your own!
There are also islands with no residents still living there. From the relatively large and distant St Kilda (where the entire population was evacuated to the mainland in 1930) to many tiny specks of land that have the derelict homes of 2 or 3 former residents.
My dream is to find a remote and secluded spot with a good source of fresh water, a nearby wood and a lack of neighbours.
Although an Island seems more isolated I would imagine that the appearance of an individual settler would cause gossip which led to concerned neighbours sailing over to offer assistance.
The locals, in the North of Scotland, are very friendly, helpful and honest.
Doors remain unlocked and, often, small shops simply leave a sign apologising for no shopkeeper but asking customers to leave payment in a box or a bucket.
An isolated part of the mainland may be an easier place on which to remain undisturbed.
Whenever I went to buy supplies I would explain how I was there to concentrate on 'my writing' and emphasize how much I needed isolation.
No doubt any rural shopkeeper would perpetuate the desired gossip faster than a fibre optic internet connection could manage it!
Then, after a short time to learn the local ways and rhythm, I would start to plan an outdoor grow....
