Pros and cons of life on an island

Discussion: Hiya,

Thought I'd post my questions & concerns on living on such a remote island (South Uist or Eriskay). My husband and I want remoteness - as in long stretches of gorgeous *uninhabited outdoors* like beaches or hills, small community, peace and quiet. We already know about gales, rain, dark Scottish winters. Our biggest concerns are the difficulty of purchasing certain goods and the long, expensive ferry trip to the mainland. We haven't visited yet but will do so next spring and by the photos I've seen there are no trees or gardens which we'd miss dearly.

Any comments appreciated.

Re. your enquiry about shopping. I lived on the isle of Benbecula for a time and you can buy most things that you will need for living. Part of being remote is not having big shop windows to browse, it's too windy for those anyway. As well as on line shopping for larger articles, you can always use a catalogue. There are three Co-op's on the islands in Daliburgh, Greagory and Solas on North Uist as well as many local shops. McLennon's on Benbecula sell most things and they also do car hire etc. There is Lovett's which is just near the South causeway, I believe they have now taken over the big supermarket in Balivanich which used to be the NAAFI. Also there is Akram's Sale, he comes over from Stornaway regularly and sets up his stalls in all the local community halls, he sells everything. I went back just over a year ago for a week and the islands seem to be pretty busy, lots going on. Lionaciet School has a swimming pool that is open to the puplic. Lots of activities !!!!! When the weather is really bad, you just have to batten down the hatches for a while, winter evenings can be very, very cosy. I long to return there to live where there are no traffic lights or rounabouts or crowds of people. I have a web site which contains quite a lot about the islands, please take a look, it is :- www.islandermysteria.com I'm sure you will love every minute of living on South Uist so do it while you can!!!!!

Isabel,

Thanks for the input. I'm sure you get stronger winds than we do here...I've seen some winds where we live that can compete with hurricanes! But that generally sticks to winter itself. As long as I don't have to spend much time outside in it I don't mind the wind. I love to watch it make our loch and the Firth of Clyde get really wild and look more like the Pacific. I'm really anxious to be close to the ocean itself with white beaches.

I'm near Dunoon and usually make a ferry trip over to Greenock to hit the big shops every month of so. Unfortunately I don't have a London house to sell gaining me a huge profit, but we would get a pretty nice profit - not £100K though! I know shopping would be more limited than what I can fairly easily get here, but I'd adjust. As long as I can order my books on the internet, got broadband and Sky, I'll be fine.

I noticed the Uist Wholefoods Coop and it's very long list of foods! Very impressed!

Will visit in May and anxious to do so!

Did you know that the local businesses supply place like Harrods and the like with their produce e.g salar salmon, Hebridean smokehouse.

Very windy in the winter - That can be between january and january!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lovely scenery, lovely people , Houses are cheap for one that sells one down South and out prices the local and still have £100k profit haa haa !!enough to buy fine wine ( via tesco.com) there is no Tesco/asda/sainsburys/ markys here and salar salmon for the next few years.

Wondering about local entertainment (live music), gatherings such as quiz nights, etc..... I imagine the area as having a close community and know the area is mainly Catholic. I know we'll get a good feel for the place when we visit in the spring but I'm curious to know more ahead of time.

Thanks for all the replies.

Ok, Catriona! Will do. :-) I guess outsiders are welcome then? Even if one is American? I've found Scots nothing but friendly to me since I've moved here 6 years ago.

Tom, thanks for that on fishing. Might just take it up myself.

We live here all the time, and I cant think of any cons, so stop fretting get your bags packed, fly, sail whatever, just do it.

re your query about the fishing, it's mainly wild brown trout, sea trout and the occasional salmon. You can Google South Uist Angling Club for more info.
Hope this helps.

Tom, I don't fish but my husband occasionally does. What kind of fish do you catch there?

Jack, as we travel at least twice a year we would fly to Glasgow instead of taking the ferry. I suppose we'd like to take the car to somewhere like Oban every couple of months to stock up on certain things we use a lot of and could buy in bulk, or that we couldn't find on the islands. Of course since I wouldn't be employed anymore I'm sure I'd begin making my own soups instead of buying Baxter's. I'm sure we'd be able to adjust for the most part to what is easily available.

My husband and I love live traditional and classical music. Frequency of these?

The co-ops arent bad. The one at Creagorry in Benbecula being very useful. Ferry? depends how often you want to go. You are changing your neighborhood--the islands from Eriskay to Berneray have a lot of life and miles. Fly to Glasgow as well every now and then.
Alastair

Hello Again Annie,

Oh, one thing I never mentioned was the world famous fly fishing experience you can enjoy here if you and your husband are into that. We have a very well supported angling club and the cost of a year's subscription is what you would pay for a day's fishing on the mainland.