Soooooooo
Posted: Sunday, 12 November 2006 |
A blog, eh? Seemed like a good idea, but now it's time to write I'm not so sure. Recently moved to Skye from Glasgow for work reasons, and I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying it. Whilst I miss a lot of things about Glasgow, there are lots of things about Skye that more than make up for it. Don't really know if this blog will be remotely interesting, informative or entertaining, but hey - you don't know till you try, right? It's not like I'm going to force anyone to read it, right? Ah well, on with the show.....
First impressions
I love the sea, and I love islands. Being somewhere where you are so close to the coast is fantastic. And Skye has a LOT of coast. But it has a big bonus, and that's the mountains. Have a look.....
But there is a big, BIG problem. Housing is very difficult to come by. Unless you have half a million pounds kicking about that is. I spent most of my summer trying to find somewhere to live with no joy. I looked in Estate Agencies, the local press, I got in touch with the council housing department, I asked around, I used the internet - none of which yielded any results. In the end - and less than a week before I moved here, may I add - I got a call from someone who had seen my card in the Co-Op looking for accommodation and had a flat that the last tenant was about to move out of. Talk about a lucky break! But it must be hellish for young couples and families looking to set up their first homes in the community they grew up in but who can't find anywhere they can afford. And whilst it would be easy to point the finger at the 'holiday home' owners and landlords for bringing this situation about, that industry is so vital to the economy of the island that it would be folly to do so. The answer is to build more, affordable housing on the island but it must be done carefully to avoid destroying the character and feel of the island, which is of course the very reason people want to live here in the first place.
As for my place, it is spacious and most comfortable. My landlord seems like a very nice, reasonable and approachable individual. Now that I have all my stuff up from Glasgow, and have sorted Sky telly and my broadband out, it is starting to feel like home. I have had visitors up from Glasgow 5 times already, and they've all loved it.
I think I have landed on my feet.
Well, that'll do for just now. Next time I'll fill in some of what's been happening since I got to Skye.
First impressions
I love the sea, and I love islands. Being somewhere where you are so close to the coast is fantastic. And Skye has a LOT of coast. But it has a big bonus, and that's the mountains. Have a look.....
But there is a big, BIG problem. Housing is very difficult to come by. Unless you have half a million pounds kicking about that is. I spent most of my summer trying to find somewhere to live with no joy. I looked in Estate Agencies, the local press, I got in touch with the council housing department, I asked around, I used the internet - none of which yielded any results. In the end - and less than a week before I moved here, may I add - I got a call from someone who had seen my card in the Co-Op looking for accommodation and had a flat that the last tenant was about to move out of. Talk about a lucky break! But it must be hellish for young couples and families looking to set up their first homes in the community they grew up in but who can't find anywhere they can afford. And whilst it would be easy to point the finger at the 'holiday home' owners and landlords for bringing this situation about, that industry is so vital to the economy of the island that it would be folly to do so. The answer is to build more, affordable housing on the island but it must be done carefully to avoid destroying the character and feel of the island, which is of course the very reason people want to live here in the first place.
As for my place, it is spacious and most comfortable. My landlord seems like a very nice, reasonable and approachable individual. Now that I have all my stuff up from Glasgow, and have sorted Sky telly and my broadband out, it is starting to feel like home. I have had visitors up from Glasgow 5 times already, and they've all loved it.
I think I have landed on my feet.
Well, that'll do for just now. Next time I'll fill in some of what's been happening since I got to Skye.
Comments
Hello! Welcome to Island Blogging! Could you email me at islandblogging@bbc.co.uk to complete your registration?
Anne from IBHQ
Envy is a terrible thing, I stand a guilty wummin. Great mountains by the way.
GrannyE. DBE.RM from Auchenshuggle hiding under the scaffy
Welcome to da madhoose!
Ruthodanort from Unst
Love the new blog. I wish you well in your new life on Skye. It's been many years since I visited so good to see your pics. I look forward to hearing and seeing more.
Wee Fi from London
The pictures look great ! Tell us some more about what is differant on Skye....we are coming up next year.
Dave from Worcester
I envy you. I long to live on Mull but it won't happen for a long time.In the meantime I visit family there as much as possible. Enjoy your time on an island such as Skye, I am sure you have realised how magical it is.
Margaret Gilbertson from East Kilbride
Looks fantastic! I'm as guilty as GrannyE. DBE.RM!
Mo from Glasgow
Nice pictures... Please post more pics and tell more about Skye... Loved the site :)
Lineth from Brazil
I'm as guilty or more then GrannE!! I would give almost anything to be able to live on Skye. It is by far the most magical place I've ever been and the people there are the kindest I've ever met! I'll check back often for updates. :)
Julie from Texas
I agree...we traveled there this summer, now sadly gone, and stayed in Bracadale at some lovely cottages overlooking the Loch. The owner had a guest book that was quite an interesting read for outsiders. I know I never saw signs of places to let (rent in the States), but did see for sale signs...good luck and I join the Green Envy party on this one!
Tammie from California
The holiday home thing is a tricky one: I'm 30, and in 12 years I've been to 51 British islands -mostly Hebridean. Quite simply, I'm jealous of the Gael's culture, being so rich and 'Atlantic'. I would like a wee cottage in the Hebrides, preferably in the Western Isles. I know of a 'traditional' Hebridean cottage that has been unoccupied for several years now. I'd like to 'save' it from the elements, and breathe life back into it, in the name of posterity. I know nothing about buying a property (I still live at home with my parents!!) or whom to approach regarding it, but dream of owning this or a similar property. I've just started a new job as an Area Sales Manager for the SE of England, and therefore can't up-sticks just yet; so the cottage (after restoration) would have to pay for itself by being let out to someone local or, failing that, holiday makers. It's a catch 22 situation where holiday homes are concerned: the tourists put money into the local economy, but at the same time for every property that becomes a holiday home, that's one less property available for someone local. The cottage I have my eye on is very wee and needs sympathetically restoring and modernising; this means employing local expertise. In truth, I don't have very much money, but my new job has good earning potential. As the cottage is typically traditional, I'm wondering if some kind of grant might be available to assist with the restoration? I'm so passionate about things and I just think that in order to know where it is we're headed it's important to know where it is we're from, and I think that the world would be a poorer a place should this cottage (and others like it) be left to rot. Vistors come to the Hebrides not just for the landscape and wildlife, but for the culture -the language and the people, including the scattered townships with their blend of new and old side-by-side. Richard
Richard from Farnham, Surrey
Those photos look really great. I love the place, and had real fun there taking panoramas from around Skye. Here is one from Glen Sligachan: http://www.panoramicearth.com/613/Skye/Loch_Sligachan_and_Glen_Sligachan
Peter Watts from London
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