We bought a cottage on the Isle of Arran in Scotland!

[@brendataylor8388]

New subscriber. I have no idea how you ended up in my feed or even what your channel is about. I just love you🤣

[@deborahking2367]

Writing from Nova Scotia, Canada. I finally visited Scotland a few years ago and fell in love with the absolute beauty! I have to say of all the places I visited it was the Isle of Arran I was most impressed with. Also, I have never met such kind people as I did during my time in Glasgow. My forefathers were from Falkirk and Ayr I am proud to say and hope to return soon again! P.S. we never saw a drop of rain in our 10 day stay!

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@deborahking2367 Hello there Deborah, nice to 'meet' you! Yes, Arran has rightly been called Scotland in miniature! The West coast has so many pretty places and we look forward to visiting new places and places we've visited before, although some time ago; and of course we will share them all with you. Thanks for coming along on the journey with us. 🙂

[@stuartcather2422]

You were lucky then Deborah 😊 although I believe it’s the Weather that makes our country stunning.. Hope you have a chance to return soon.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@stuartcather2422 aye, with no rain it wouldn't be as green. Here in SW France we've had terrible droughts. I'll be glad for that soft Scottish drizzle!

[@fionasmall4384]

Looking forward to seeing your wee cottage and the isle of Aran good luck

[@blacksusan108]

When I visited Lochranza there were two deer hanging out in the centre of the village. Its a beautiful place on a stunning island. good luck

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Hi Susan, yes, they come from the area round the golf course, and feed on the shore right beside Lochranza Castle. I'm very much looking forward to doing some more art & photography, which if course I'll share on YT. 😊

[@fierymaple]

I absolutely love Scotland and especially the Isle of Arran where I studied with the lovely Keith Robertson at his Scottish School of Herbal Medicine. I hope to be back in Arran again soon. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Hope you enjoy our journey. ❤

[@Friskyhorton]

I cant wait to see where you move to, because we had a holiday there by accident in 1999 and its been a dream to go back.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Keep watching. We're only a few weeks now till the big move! 😊

[@colleenmckinlay2916]

Just found your channel. So glad that I did. The West Coast of Canada is home for us but my Dad was from Scotland so it has always been a part of me. Visited a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with the scenery, history and the people. Never made it to your future island. So, I am looking forward to learning all about it. Good luck with your move and congratulations on returning home. 🍁🥰🇨🇦

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Hi Colleen, thanks for joining me! Perhaps we can explore together? As John and I have been away from Scotland for so long (20 Years), things have changed and we have forgotten how pretty some places really are, so it's a good excuse to go back and visit. The history is very special and there are loads of places full of history, and of course, when the weather is right, it's a beautiful country. Thanks for joining me on my journey!

[@justlinda3711]

I just came across your channel. We returned home (to Florida) 3 yrs ago after the sudden death of our son, it was hard, we did downsize etc. and moved into a 55+ neighborhood. I wish you all well. I look forward to seeing more of your journey and more of Scotland.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@justlinda3711 Oh Linda, that's so hard. Life is very unfair sometimes. I'm sure you have lovely memories of him and your time with him. Downsizing is hard, and in a new location too, but sometimes we have to turn the page and keep going. Are you making new friends in your new home? I'm sure you'll all be supporting each other, especially with the dreadful weather in your state. Sometimes, it's through hard times that we find a strength from within. I hope you enjoy coming with me on our journey. It won't be all sunshine and laughter I'm sure.

[@thefabulouswomanwho]

You had me at ‘Grow your own booze’! Looking forward to following your journey!x

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@thefabulouswomanwho When we moved here to Franc I brought all my equipment and now will take it all home - not to make cider commercially, but just for ourselves. I can see some apple trees somewhere in our small garden. A garden just isn't right for me without at least one tree, so keep tuned - it'll happen and there are loads of nice Scottish varieties. Making your own booze is so simple - cider, beer, infused spirits, hedgerow wines. It's great fun and cheap too! Wouldn't be self sufficient if we didn't do it. 😆

[@jillfoster6369]

Fabulous. I have just started knitting socks but only knit one of each wool used. I just started sock knitting last year. I knit daily now that I have retired.

[@NatureinPrint]

It all started in lockdown. I got a really easy pattern from my friend and can do a sock in 2 evenings. From September till February I now knit ankle socks for myself. The type of wool is key - has to be soft enough not to itch, but strong enough not to wear too quickly.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

In the main here I've only found 100% acrylic wool, so looking forward to coming home to get acrylic/wool mix which might not last as long, but is a bit more sustainable.

[@amac2573]

Pleased for you and your family that your coming home. I just hope everything goes smoothly for you (especially getting over to Arran as I am aware of the situation with the ferries). Best wishes and Good Luck to you!

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Oh the ferries is an ongoing thing though and certainly won't be resolved before we arrive. We have taken the precaution of booking storage near John's sister on the mainland, so that we can just hire a van and move once a week whenever we can get on the ferry.

[@Princess2112-e5d]

I just came across your channel by accident and have subscribed and so looking forward to hearing all about your big move to Arran. I live in Paisley and have been going to Arran for summer holidays every year since I was a teenager. I was across on Arran 2 weeks ago for a day trip and the weather was glorious and we saw some dolphins on the way back. I have always fancied moving there, so I wish you luck and really looking forward to seeing your new home and hearing all about how you settle in. I've been to Lochranza loads of times, its so picturesque and tranquil and always see deer just wandering around.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Paisley was my old stomping ground! My family used to holiday on Bute for years, visiting an old aunt, but Arran now seems to be like Bute was 40 years ago. Looking forward to sharing more. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

No matter where I go, no matter what I do, the Colorado mountains will always call me home.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh Home is a big emotional pull, isn't it? We moved from Scotland to Cornwall 20 years ago before moving to France 7 years ago. It's all been useful, nice and an experience that we've grown from doing; but we want to go home, to be with our own folk, to walk in our own land.

[@TMGold60]

Bon chance! Look forward to watching/ learning

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Merci boucoup!

[@archkod]

We stayed at the BnB above the community-owned pub - very nice people and great food also - Arran is lovely. great choice. Plan to return next summer to cycle.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Nice one! That'll be our 'local'. 🙂

[@LilyGazou]

I’m envious of that- living on an island like that. Best of luck with the move.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

There are drawbacks to living on an island, but we hope the advantages outweigh them. Life is a journey, so we'll share it all with you!😊

[@Parker_Douglas]

@@SustainableSelfSufficiency You’re lucky the ferries are now up & running finally.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@Parker_Douglas Well, apart from a few delays, we've actually been okay with the ferries, but yes, the new ferry is great.

[@andrewf4797]

All the best, Arran is lovely, I remember some lovely holidays as a wean in Lochranza, in one of the seven sisters cottages (from a Scotsman living in France, thinking the same as you, but not convinced about the weather)

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Yeah, the weather is the downside, but the new cottage is lovely & bright inside and we're quite outdoorsy, so will make the most of nice days walking, photographing and drawing. John wants a little boat ( he used to have one in Cornwall), so some nice fishing & trips about the island planned. 😊

[@jeanoconnor5761]

I wish you a smooth journey home. I'm looking forward to an update. You sound just like my Auntie May who lived in Mosspark, Glasgow.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Thank you. We e really enjoyed our time in France, but it's time now to return home. I'll miss the better weather of course, but I miss Scottish people more and, as I'll show in future videos Arran is beautiful and we'll be quite happy with closer family and friends closer to us - and we can always visit France and Europe in future. My gran used to live near to Mosspark so know it quite well. 😊

[@brendawomack5380]

It looks lovely. I feel in love with Scotland when I took my mom there about 20 yrs ago. People were amazing and very friendly. I hope to visit again next year.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Hello Brenda, yes, it's very pretty! Although France is beautiful and we have many pretty chateaux nearby and lovely countryside surrounding us, there's nothing like heather on the hills and ever changing sea views. We're looking forward to being amongst our own warm and friendly folk. I'm glad you enjoyed Scotland and hope you'll get to visit again.

[@HappyCroissant-vw1kn]

Good luck in your new home we go to Arran every year for holidays 2 or3 times and always enjoy .❤

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@HappyCroissant-vw1kn thank you! We're very excited!

[@BeWeRo]

We are a German couple and visited Scotland in 2023. On the Isle of Arran we really had a great time and I think, you made a good decision to buy a house there. Do you know the videos of "Dave the rave roving the rock"? Dave always films everything that is currently going on on the Isle of Arran and I guess, that might be interesting for you. All the best for your move and greetings from Germany!

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Yes, I watch all Dave's videos. Sadly, the stress is awful; it's such a big move and I'm not getting much sleep, but it'll be over soon. We are really looking forward to being in Arran, but also this won't be the end of our travelling. We hope to be able to visit Germany ( never been), Italy and within Europe again in future. Thanks for following our journey! 😊

[@Forrestperrigo7653]

Best of luck, it's a beautiful Island, Ive sailed to Brodick three times. I haven't been north. I hope it all goes well.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Thank you! It's a nice place to explore. I've farming friends on the island so although we won't have the land to keep our own animals here, I'll be able to offer lambing help if needed and I look forward to making new friends.

[@margarettownsley9500]

Hi Lorraine just found your channel Arran is lovely we used to spend a few weeks of school holidays in Arran when we were kids I have some friends who still live there looking forward to seeing your sustainable living I’m a new subscriber welcome home and good luck for your next chapter thank you for sharing your journey

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@margarettownsley9500 hello Margaret. Yes, those days when we were younger, summers seemed to last forever and memories burned into the heart. We hope to make lots of new memories in Arran. John and I are both West coast people and not far from our roots. I'm hoping we'll do more walking together and try a little harder to step into retirement. It's a new chapter, getting older, but that's quite nice to be able to live a little slower and enjoy the many new places to explore.

[@elizabethjohnson3123]

Well blue skies in Arran will be in short supply too in winter. I live on the Kintyre peninsula so you will get the same weather as us 😊

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Hi Elizabeth, yes, John used to live in Dunoon, so we're aware. But blue skies will be a bonus when we have them.

[@elizabethjohnson3123]

@@SustainableSelfSufficiency I’m in Campbeltown, when I drive down to England, I hop across Arran on the ferries. Beautiful island

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@elizabethjohnson3123 We hope to do a lot of exploring. I've been to Cambeltown before, but a good 25 years ago - things must have changed. We hope to visit the outer Hebrides too, which John has done, but I havent. You're never too old to enjoy travelling!

[@penelopecarpenter5166]

I am moving back to Scotland from Cornwall next month to,,not so far by miles,but logisticlly hard, good luck.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Feel your pain Penelope. We lived in Cornwall for 13 years before moving to France.

[@Heinz57ish]

I live in Cornwall and would love to live in Scotland especially Arran as i think my Kerr ancestors originally come from there .

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@Heinz57ish that's an exciting research project!

[@juanitahardy8583]

I once lived in a small Scotyish village, miss it to this day and would live to go back.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@juanitahardy8583 Juanita, village life is certainly interesting. People think nothing goes on, but all life and all characters are there, aren't they? Yes, after living in the countryside for many years I'm sure our new village will be as curious about us as we are about them. 🙂

[@killeresk]

Very nice place, enjoy in good health.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Thank you. 😊

[@coastalcottagewales8688]

Subscribed, good luck

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Thank you! 😊

[@doonhamer252]

Family on Arran, Bute and up at Tighnabruaich.. good luck

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

John and I have family & friends on Arran and ties all over the West coast. And if course we'll have visitors too! Hopefully not all at once! 😂

[@jillfoster6369]

You must get in touch with Andrew who is a minister on the island. He has a KZbin channel called Albanach Knitter. Good luck with the move.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@jillfoster6369 oooh, I knit socks a LOT. I will do, thanks. X

[@emilyrobinson3452]

Lucky you and I hope it goes well for you

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Thanks Emily. 😊

[@desireeross9651]

Loch Ranza is nice. We’ve sailed there twice

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@desireeross9651 Really looking forward to it Desiree. I've only sailed in my mid teens, but we have friends on the island with boats, so you never know. 🙂

[@judithmalan1502]

All the VERY, VERY, BEST...😂😂😂😂❤❤❤ SOUNDS IDYLL... And go well...

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@judithmalan1502 thanks Judith! We're very excited, although our 3 Cocker Spaniels are a bit confused with everything getting packed up. They have their pet passports now and been vaccinated, so they are ready to go. Morning swims in the loch? Perhaps next summer. 😆

[@TheCatlady63]

Good luck with the move, we are waiting to move to Cumbria, still waiting for solicitors to sort it all out. Currently in S Yorkshire. Some say we will be in by Christmas but not holding my breath as we have been further along than this and it all fell through.Still packed up from last time so we are now waiting to exchange before the rest gets packed up. Down sizing is so hard I wish you luck.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Waiting is so hard, isnt it? We've had a few hiccups, but all is moving forward. When we were living in Cornwall, we had a sale fail because the buyers LIED to their solicitor regarding having funds. Still annoys me to this day. You'd think a solicitor of all people would check, wouldnt you? Good luck with it all. Im sure it'll all work out.

[@TheCatlady63]

@@SustainableSelfSufficiency Thanks 🙏

[@gailewart9618]

Hope your place is on Newton Shore otherwise your in the dark till spring 🤞

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@gailewart9618 the house is pretty bright, but it's all a learning curve. 🙂

[@CharlesBrown-d9k]

Lochranza also holds the title of being the darkest village in the U. K., due to the amount of sunlight it receives in comparison with other villages.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Yes, I'm aware of that.

[@dlawrence3187]

In what way did brexit impact your life in France or encourage your return to Scotland?

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@dlawrence3187 We moved before the end of the Withdrawal period and made the most of freedom of movement. We knew Brexit was going to be a disaster. Brexit has had no influence on our returning to Scotland. We're just going home.

[@Dore60]

👍

[@JamesWilliamson-w8y]

If that floats your boat go for it. Be aware that at some time in the future selling it may be a problem.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

You're kidding! House sales on the island are very buoyant! We've been looking for a good few months and good houses are selling like hot cakes!😊 Anyhow, hopefully we'll be here till our dotage!

[@dianestevens2659]

I'm sure it would sell very quickly, always soneone looking for a lovely cottage

[@robin-kq7un]

You must like porridge.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@robin-kq7un I do like porridge. Proper porridge - Scotts Old Fashioned porridge oats. 😆

[@Parker_Douglas]

France isn’t safe . I don’t blame you wanting home.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

We felt VERY safe in France. This is not the reason we returned home.

[@tpaine1815]

Sorry, while I understand the pull of your place of origin (home), but I am a little concerned - do you really understand the UK Health care system crisis? Do you understand the UK tax situation? Do you appreciate how expensive senior care is getting?? Do you understand the public transport system?? I am not sure that the UK regardless of "nation" is a place where anyone wants to chose.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

Of course I understand! I'm Scottish! This is my country!

[@dorothyhopkins5460]

What a very negative attitude! I live in Scotland and I would say (not that I personally need it) the health care up here is great.

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@dorothyhopkins5460 Dorothy, you are right, and as this has been such a big decision we looked carefully at how the SNHS is provisioned. Neither of us has any ailments, no medication & we have the benefit of great French healthcare. I've had both cataracts done here in France ( basically free & with a waiting list of just a couple of days), so we are good to return and join the SNHS. It's very different for health & social care in the US ( where this gentleman was posting from) and sadly not everyone is aware that Scottish services are considerably better than in the rest of the UK. Thanks for your support.

[@frugalitystartsathome4889]

Ah yes, the media - including social media - strikes again, informing our US cousins of how appalling life is in this country whilst ignoring the fact that they, too, have all the same issues only on a far greater scale…

[@SustainableSelfSufficiency]

@@frugalitystartsathome4889 It's complicated for non-Brits to understand the d beloved governments even if they were really interested in researching the facts about healthcare etc. As we are both healthy and the provision in the local authority isn't too stretched were happy to take the risk. After all, life is to be lived, not just to exist.