The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on December 04, 2012, 01:19:29 pm

Title: Hello
Post by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on December 04, 2012, 01:19:29 pm
Hello All,

Been a long time stalker of the forums but now decided to register, currently only have 10 hens light sussex hens.

The urge has taken over and now I really want a farm of my own although only place I could afford would be in the Orkneys or Shetlands just wanted to know if anyone else farms or lives up there. (Im currently based in the midlands so it would be a huge move).
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Bionic on December 04, 2012, 01:25:41 pm
Hi and welcome to the forum.  :wave:   
I moved to Carmmarthenshire myself to get my smallholding but there are others on here way up north who I am sure will be along later.
Sally
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Sbom on December 04, 2012, 02:53:20 pm
Hello  :wave: from the Staffordshire  :wave:
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: FiB on December 04, 2012, 03:21:38 pm
Hi  :wave:  from Bala North Wales we moved from Brum 18 months ago.  Hovel and a bit of land here still not too dear (Different matter as soon as it has more than 2 medrooms and/or is suitable for horses) - we swaped (well we didnt actually swap it, but it was a round the same price) our 3 bed semi in Boldmer/Erdington for a 1.5 bedroom (sons bedroom is little more than a large cupboard!!!) tiny house with 12 acres here.  NOt regreted it for a minute, but I do miss my work, which is proving hard to re-establish here.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: darkbrowneggs on December 04, 2012, 03:24:04 pm
Hi there - Welcome from Worcestershire   :wave:   good luck with the plans - hope everything works out really well  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on December 04, 2012, 04:50:55 pm
Hello and welcome! Good luck with your search.
Liz
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Rosemary on December 04, 2012, 04:58:41 pm
Hello and welcome from  :gloomy: Carnoustie  :wave:

A few islanders on here - Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on December 18, 2012, 11:16:04 am
Thanks for the warm welcome all  :thumbsup:

Hello and welcome! Good luck with your search.
Liz

I bought your book for myself as an early xmas gift.  :farmer:
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on December 18, 2012, 12:33:20 pm
You might find it just as cheap (and cheaper cost of living ongoing) in the north and east of the mainland - Moray and Aberdeenshire?
Getting supplies on and off an island can add to the costs - worth a thought, tho Im not trying to put you off if you are keenest on island living.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 18, 2012, 03:16:32 pm
Welcome Joe  :wave:

Long ex-Midlander here, most of my adult life in the South, have now moved to the very North of England to be able to afford to farm. 

Holidayed on Orkney a couple of years ago.  Good ground, lovely people.  Hardly any trees, no foxes.  Everything is indoors, battened down, for the whole of the winter, due 70mph winds. :o 

Visit to Shetland is on the wish list.  May try to be there for Wool Week next year.  Iceland is also on the wish list... :D

Someone who actually lives on the islands will be along soon, I'm sure. :)
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on December 20, 2012, 10:33:48 am
You might find it just as cheap (and cheaper cost of living ongoing) in the north and east of the mainland - Moray and Aberdeenshire?
Getting supplies on and off an island can add to the costs - worth a thought, tho Im not trying to put you off if you are keenest on island living.

Have you got any links estate agents in that area? would be interested in looking at more options.

the 70 mph winds sound fun will have to get the kite out :)
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on December 20, 2012, 10:54:27 am
well we are in the very far north west of scotland (mainland) but getting feeding delivered is impossible unless you are ordering large amounts so there's a lot of running around to do, especially at this time of year and yes today its blowing a gale and has been for the last 3 days but I wouldn't live anywhere else  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Pedwardine on December 20, 2012, 11:05:32 pm
We're strongly considering the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides). Would love to hear from peeps in the know what the advantages/disadvantages are. There's a superb sounding place in Vidlin on Shetland that we lusted after before we considered it to be a tad too remote. It's called Brattahlid at Kirkabister. 135 acres with Rural Scene for around £250,000 I think. Beautiful views.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: MAK on December 21, 2012, 12:18:19 pm
Welcome and I hope that your research and search for a new home goes well. we have family flying out of the East Midlands next week to stay with us near Limoges ( central France). We do have very cold short winters but the lucky midlanders will arrive to 18 degrees and sun.
The challenge of spending a winter north of Doncaster makes me shudder so good luck.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on December 21, 2012, 06:10:29 pm
Welcome from the Aberdeenshire / Moray border  :wave: 


The best place to search for properties in this area is on the Aberdeen solicitors Property centre website or the Moray equivalent.


Do check carefully the postcode of where you are moving to because if they deem you to be highlands and islands the postage on everything gets astronomical. Also the more remote you are the more expensive it is for petrol and heating oil. Also if you go for the islands you also have to factor in the extra costs of ferries to get to the mainland and often very long trips to get to an abattoir with your livestock.


Good luck in your search and welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Pedwardine on December 24, 2012, 11:19:11 pm
Have decided that France is our best bet for our smallholding. Although the scenery in Western Isles may be stunning and the people friendly, couldn't cope with midges and isolation plus relatives/friends could see us more easily in France than they could way up in Scotland. I need my friends (not sure about the family sometimes  :-\ )
Major good luck to you though Joe.  :fc:
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on December 28, 2012, 12:00:46 pm
Still think it will be a long way off before me and the OH decide anything as next year is a busy year. Although I may be able to rent just over an acre of land in the new year which I have lots of plans for already  :)

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a happy new year.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 28, 2012, 09:00:16 pm
An acre would be good.  Let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: Hello
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on December 29, 2012, 10:38:37 am
Thanks for the warm welcome all  :thumbsup:

Hello and welcome! Good luck with your search.
Liz

I bought your book for myself as an early xmas gift.  :farmer:
Thank you! I hope you found it useful. Drop me a message if you have any queries.