4 Reasons NOT to Move to the Scottish Highlands in 2025

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Thank you so much for watching I really appreciate it and if you fancied watching more videos please do check out these ones below ⬇️ Winter in the highlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYiUfalmjdGBY9ksi=pLeX5a1rLxcVc1xo How to survive ticks and midges: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWOvo51orbN-jMksi=R1g2Rk0VDNTVDbhB Why we moved to the highlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3nLaXmfetyeaassi=cccImCiERYaQz968

[@milesbrown8016]

Awesome

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Also plenty of videos to come! 👌

[@amandafreebrey9192]

Yeah I’m to much of a Jessie to cope with midges & the weather…. Loved your outtakes lol x made me chuckle x

[@thehighlandlife2023]

They are the main reasons people say they wouldn’t move to the highlands and I totally get it. But the beauty of up here totally makes it worth it for me! I do like to embrace it all and I don’t feel the cold like many others I don’t think. Ha ha I had to include them. Never have I ever made so many mistake or mishaps making a video 🤣🤣

[@highlandjournalart654]

I drove up to Gills Bay last week, it was appalling! And yes of course it was the midge.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

The roads are so bad, It’s shocking isn’t it!! Ha ha it was only ever going to be the midges wasn’t it? 🤣

[@garycrowther4912]

The bad weather days/weeks/months make you appreciate the occasional good day much more , the pace of life the scenery, the solitude, the lack of traffic and the friendliness of the people far outweigh the reasons not to move to the highlands or islands 😎

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Absolutely 🙌🙌 Couldn’t agree more. Life here is amazing, the weather, midges and anything else could not put me off living here. X

[@KobraaRl]

I love when it's finally sunny ootside and no raining for once 😂😂😂

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@KobraaRlit’s finally sunny here too! 🙌☀️

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@garycrowther4912 Latest video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@KobraaRl Latest video of your interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@escapetothecountrylife-tq3el]

I live in Wisconsin. Never lower temp then -40F wind chill to -70F and 5 or 6 feet of snow. Think I can handle the winter

[@thehighlandlife2023]

I’d say you can for sure! However many people in England are definitely not experienced in this kind of weather! 🤣

[@fishinwidow35]

We get that here in Maine too. Plus black flies and mosquitos

[@sharonkutz8272]

Washington state gets lots of rain. Not alot of snow. I would be ok with the highlands but public transportation might be a worry. I still drive

[@wackthegood8884]

I guessed at midgies straight off the bat! But I still love the highlands.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Absolutely! Even those little buggers can’t rough the Scottish Highlands!

[@mylifeaschas]

The weather and lack of public transport definitely seem like the biggest drawbacks to living in the Scottish Highlands. But good to know there are ways to deal with the midges! I'll definitely check out your linked video for tips. I wasn't sure about the "no good reasons not to move" part at first, but you make a good point at the end. The challenges seem manageable if you're up for the beautiful scenery and slower pace of life.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

I guess like anywhere there will be drawbacks and we have to weigh up how big a drawback they are. Nothing would stop us for living here as we love it, even now when I am being eaten alive by midges! 🤣 it’s a great place to call home ❤️

[@SteveCondron]

If these are the things keeping you away. Good luck and goodbye. I love Scotland.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

It definitely didn’t keep us away, have lived here a few years now. Absolutely in love with the place, but many of these reason do keep people away! I say they are not the right people to appreciate here then.

[@juliegreenslade2878]

I lived in the Highlands about 20 years ago (Loch Ness area), and again 3 years ago. Loved it. I didn't mind the weather, midges or poor public transport. It was the low flying jets I hated - they really frightened me. Loved the people, history, culture, and countryside though.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Aahhhh it’s funny you should mention them, we have never seen them here before but for the last week most days there’s been two jets low flying around and a chinook as well. But had only seen them once or twice in the years here. I can see why if it was a regular thing it would be pretty annoying. There isn’t much that could put me off living here tbh, absolutely love it! ❤️

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Latest video of your interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@Kd4stt.]

The weather and Remoteness there is similar to our Appalachian mountain communities today.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

‘The Scottish Highlands and the Appalachians are connected because the two were once part of the same land, Central Pangea, over 200 million years ago.’ it’s so crazy to think they were once one 😍

[@brianmarshall1637]

I wouldn,t like to move there but it is great for a coach your as I have been On four of them,weather always uncertain but the scenery beautiful.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

It’s not for everyone that’s for sure, it can be a hard life especially for those whose livelihood is outdoors in all weathers they work out there. It’s a magical place though and as you said the scenery is beautiful, of that there is no doubt 🙌

[@djriddell1]

No 1 reason not to move would be the summer crazy midges

[@thehighlandlife2023]

It was a reason many people told us they wouldn’t move here! Didn’t stop us, and still wouldn’t! They can be a pest but there’s always a way!

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Incase anyone for one second thinks we/I don’t love it here check out my latest video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@daveturnbull7221]

Out of all those reasons the only one that stopped me was the public transport. Although I have a driving licence my inability to concentrate means I no longer feel comfortable behind the wheel. I love the highly changeable weather. Yeah it is a bit of a pain when it comes to things like cutting the grass but certainly no deal breaker. Midges simply don't find me palatable - I'm always ignored by them. The potholes are no worse than where I live in Fife and have the added bonus of making drivers slow down. One other issue you didn't mention but which was a deal breaker for me was health care. Don't get me wrong, the staff are (IMHO) among the best in the world but given the sparse population density there are so many issues with having enough staff to cover such a vast area. Given my age and health issues it simply wouldn't work sadly.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

It’s definitely a consideration when moving to pretty rural/remote places things like healthcare and transportation. I have limited knowledge on the NHS side of things up here but have heard a few things about the underfunded and for most things people have to go to Inverness. You are so lucky midges don’t seem to like to bite you, they seem to think Iam their dinner 🤣🤦‍♀️

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Latest video of your interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@philipmartin5757]

A lot of people pointing out the lack of public transport in rural Scotland but never asking why that should be the case. The Highlands are starting to depopulate again and quite rightly it's a free country for people to move to but the Highlands is the clearest case of economic failure in Scotland. I know people love the bleakness, the isolation and the majestic landscapes but to me all of that is just a sign of neglect where the blame lies in many directions. Nearby countries such as Norway have much much larger towns in their frozen north and even Iceland has small towns in the north of their country bigger than most of our northern towns (apart from Wick and Thurso of course) but Scotland is failing. We live not far from Stirling in highland Perthshire with munros almost on our doorstep and yet nearby towns like Callander are slowly dying as banks, post offices, and businesses close for good. I don't know your personal back story and I couldn't care less about nationality but rural Scotland cannot continue to be a backwater attractive only to retirees and the wealthy. I can't think of another comparable country where such neglect is tolerated by TPTB. You can delete this if you like but people everywhere should have an accurate informed idea of the country (not the countryside) they are moving to...meaning any country whatsoever. All the best to you.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

I totally understand what you are saying. However I have seen a lot of families moving to the Highlands (who like us are not wealthy!) and making it their home, so it’s definitely not just the retired or rich moving here. But there is a lot of those also moving into the area. What I have seen a lot of are homes being bought by people and used as air BnB’s which is their prerogative of course, but it means less people actually living in the areas that are not very populated. There’s a lot of issues within many countries that need addressing and like many the government involved don’t seem to say the people on the grounds concerns or do but don’t do much if anything about it, or the direction they take to contact this crisis isn’t working. Iam not sure what the answer is tbh. I would never delete a comment for someone voicing their opinion and observations as articulately as you did, Iv not deleted a comment yet even when called many names! I do appreciate your thoughts and comment

[@mirhagalaxy]

Yeah quiet right ✅️ 😌 thnx for sharing

[@thehighlandlife2023]

It’s a beautiful place but not for everyone x

[@brianf9615]

Good video, I enjoyed it.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Thank you so glad you enjoyed the video. Do feel free to check out some of my other videos ❤️🙏

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Latest video of your interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@Adventuregang1111]

Can see you clearly love it there! But good to hear of the cons of living there. Good for others to know the realities of it. Thanks for sharing, the bloopers made me laugh clearly have a sense of humour 😂

[@thehighlandlife2023]

The video came about with someone asking for the cons to living here, and although there are cons no matter where you live… nothing would stop us living here! Thank you so much for watching 🙏

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Latest video of your interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3fHZYJolNKKbc0si=pLdrCAMHCbINu_cb

[@vansforthememories]

Enjoyed your video, where abouts (roughly) did you move to? I’m thinking north of Inverness by the landscape. Midgies are horrid. We are up here atm (again) in our Moho. Em 💜

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Yeah we are north of Inverness! Midges are hands down the worse part of the Highlands! Luckily we don’t tend to suffer so bad here compared to other areas of the Highlands. Hope you’re having fun on your trip? Going to binge watch some of your videos later!

[@vansforthememories]

@@thehighlandlife2023 we used to live on Skye and the midgies were viscious 😂 We find them not as bad on the east side 😁 Thank you, hope you enjoy them. 😎 Em 💜

[@alexrobinson2281]

I live on Skye , usually too windy for midgies, campervans and rubbish is a bigger issue

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@alexrobinson2281 my husband is on Skye at the moment and I guess because he is wild camping (actual wild camping not pitched up by the side of the road ‘wild camping’) he has encountered so many midge swarms! He is there regularly and says that the over tourism and peoples lack of respect for the environment is worse there than it is here 😢 but I have to agree rubbish and inappropriate use of the land is a huge issue. I have thought about doing a video about this tbh. I don’t think people quite understand how bad it can really be.

[@vansforthememories]

@@alexrobinson2281 On the still days, they are still a problem. Yes, I agree & the fly tipping in the highlands is truly awful & upsetting to see. 😞

[@HikingLikeItsMyJob]

Ha, love it

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Gotta be honest 😆

[@molecatcher3383]

There aregood reasons why there are so many abandoned, ruined houses in the Scottish highlands. These include : Cold/Wet/windy weather, Short hours of daylight in winter, Lack of jobs or ways of making money, Isolation from good quality shops/services/healthcare, your children will move far away from you when they grow up.

[@dougreid1951]

Busses; you've just missed it, it was yesterday.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Ha ha sounds about right 🤣

[@sayitlikeitis8759]

Sitting here watching your video with my leg elevated having been bitten by a horse fly, this has put me off rather.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Ekkkk horse flies are so bad. They can be bad here but luckily Iv not been bitten up here yet! Hope it goes down soon for you. I remember when I got bitten by one once my ankle swelled right up! Not fun.

[@daisymay3426]

There still seem to be loads of your fellow country men moving up among us.🤔

[@thehighlandlife2023]

There does, yes. I can’t speak for everyone but beautiful places attract people whether it be to visit or to live. There’s also a lot of young people leaving the Highlands so maybe families make the Highlands their home isn’t always a bad thing?

[@KobraaRl]

Bonnie. Bloody. Scotland ❤❤❤

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@KobraaRl It’s a place like no other 😍

[@weekendwet1]

I concur. Do not move to rural Scotland. Stay in your towns and cities and leave the Scottish countryside to those of us who live here

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Ha ha Iam not sure that’s what I said but okay 😆 I get what your saying though

[@mandytyers4481]

That is until the boat people colonise there .Good luck Scotland..

[@George-gg1ny]

Wonder 🤔 if Mr weekendwet is spared from God's Judgement that is beginning. I heard all godless will be removed during tribulations and those of the Faith will enjoy CHRIST our Lord's millennium of peace for a thousand years 🙏

[@Mike-xh7wb]

What a moaning Cow, to check for wind,, just look at the grass or trees, I live in Scotland, ( Edinburgh) no midges, plenty of flags to determine wind and direction, oh and we have other pests during the English bank holidays

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@Mike-xh7wb 😂 I can totally see why if you only watched this video and no to the end why you may say this! This video came about because I was asked if there were any cons to living where we do, and of course like anywhere there are things to consider. Many of my other videos will show just how much we embrace all the things ‘good and bad’ here and absolutely love the place we call home. I even say at the end of the video how none of these things should (and clearly didn’t for me!) or would put me off or anyone else but are considerations!

[@marylloyd2342]

Clegs - vicious beasts!

[@thehighlandlife2023]

They really are! Although I have never had an issue with them up here but remember getting bitten back in England and my ankle swelling right up. Was so painful. But had no issues with them here 🤞

[@alexrobinson2281]

Get a lot of them in the forests , they’ll bite you through a shirt , hellish

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@alexrobinson2281 Their bites are insane aren’t they. Either we don’t get as many here or I just haven’t had much interaction with them somehow!

[@saorsa5]

Coming up here and bitchin g about snp do one pal

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@saorsa5 I don’t think I mention SNP at all in this video???

[@saorsa5]

​@@thehighlandlife2023in your comment the snp have done more for scotland than any other unionist party . You have no clue England does not subsidise scotland scotland need out this union years of austerity brought on by the tirys and now continued by the labour party .

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@saorsa5 They were not comments by me. They are those individuals opinions not mine.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@saorsa5 I can see why my reply to one of the peoples comments might make it look like I don’t support SNP! I just don’t get into politics online as it never goes well. So my political view won’t ever be something I talk about. I get enough hate as it is tbh!! But I appreciate your thoughts on the subject 🙏

[@danielsellers8538]

Loneliness

[@thehighlandlife2023]

I think for some people this may well be the case although I am yet to find anyone who lives up here who is. The sense of community is more prevalent x

[@havana2banana]

What about work?

[@thehighlandlife2023]

That would depend on what type of work someone was looking for. In some areas of work there’s a lot of job opportunities and in other areas of work there’s less. We moved without having any jobs secured and my husband found work pretty quickly, I am a stay at home mum. X

[@saorsa5]

Alba shaor a nis

[@Shouldbeeasier]

I'm sorry you're wrong. The number 1 reason not to move to Scotland is the SNP.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Ahhhh yes, although I don’t like to bring politics into my videos!

[@nursecathy123cat]

SNP?

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@nursecathy123cat The Scottish National Party is a social democratic political party in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@caillongouarnemansau]

Even french people knows you're a bampot like all the tories

[@milesbrown8016]

Scottish nazis party

[@Teri_Head]

Weather

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Definitely high up there as a reason!

[@McConnachy]

Weather, Midgies, the food is crap, everything costs more, landlords and colonialist lord it over us. The reasons are endless

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Ahhhh for sure everyone will have their reasons! I’d say landlords lord it over everyone, where ever you are! X

[@saorsa5]

Do you think the uk is one country its not you come up here bitching about the snp scotland needs fn independence enjoying getting free prescriptions and no yhe the rnglish tax payer does not subsidise scotland

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Not once have I mentioned the SNP? Iam not sure where you have got this from?!

[@joangordon3376]

What stupid, fatuous reasons not to move ANYWHERE.

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Everyone has their limit of what they are willing to accept or not. And the midges here can be brutal tbh (they currently are right now!) but none of the reasons should stop anyone moving absolutely x

[@joangordon3376]

@@thehighlandlife2023 many people don't have the luxury of choosing where they live. But, of course, as a settler you can just move on when it suits. Oh, and just for your information, I lived most of my life in the Highlands. 1st - Dornoch - lowest rainfall in Scotland. ... I am too angry to reply to your other fatuous, patronising comments. I

[@thehighlandlife2023]

Iam not sure why my reply has caused you to be ‘too angry to reply’ People move to different countries all the time, it is part of life. The term ‘settler’ clearly indicates that you clearly don’t approve of our choice to move here. I am thankful everyone we have met here have been far more welcoming and supportive, making us feel at home here. Just because I wasn’t born or bred here doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the country I fell in love with.

[@joangordon3376]

@@thehighlandlife2023 so why are you posting negative misinformation? Ffs - if you stand in a bog you'll get your feet wet. I was fully welcomed into all the communities I went to work in and fully participated in those communities. But I NEVER broadcast publicly any dissatisfaction I felt about the place.

[@joangordon3376]

@@thehighlandlife2023 that's great that you love the place that you have moved to - so. - why not say that?

[@northscot9862]

MY COMMENTS A NOT ALLOWED ONCE AGAIN , ONLY THE english comments are allowed. This is a joke having an english telling the world of this land, this is our land. SAOR ALBA GU BRATH

[@thehighlandlife2023]

@@northscot9862 I can assure you no one’s comments have not been allowed by me. KZbin may have flagged comments they deem inappropriate do to language used but that’s not something I have done. I am just giving my perspective as I was asked to do so. I have never tried to pretend I am Scottish or that I hold any knowledge based outside of my own experiences. The fact I am English isn’t something I can control but doesn’t stop me adoring Scotland

[@TarrelScot]

So, you move to the Highlands and then post a public video criticising the place? Go figure!

[@thehighlandlife2023]

I can see if only watched this video why you’d say that! But I have already done an into depth video about the reasons we moved and the many reasons we love it here, after that video I was asked by people to do a video of any cons to living in the Highlands….. so that is what this one is!? I also say at the end of the video how none of those should stop anyone moving here and can be lived with! If you watch any other videos you’d know how much we love the Highlands. Have a lovely day