From time to time people ask on the Facebook Group, what is it like to move to the area so we've asked two of our more recent residents to tell their stories

Mike's Story

When we first moved to Kinlochbervie, we knew that the local area would be beautiful and begging to be explored. It is, however, only upon starting that exploration that the true beauty presented  itself.

There is not a road you can drive down, a path you can walk, or a hill you can climb that doesn’t lead  to breath-taking views, and spectacular tranquillity. There truly is something for everyone.

The beaches are golden, and the sea crystal clear. We have lost Many an hour wistfully looking out  toward horizon watching the dolphins and sealions.

Much more wildlife is waiting to be discovered, it’s not even hiding very well!

Whilst there is a sense of peaceful privacy, there is also no lack of community spirit.

A warm welcome awaits you.

Your journey starts here!

Angela's Story

I'd been  visiting Scotland for the past 20 years since meeting my husband Andy, who had been fishing in the Sutherland area for the last 40 years with his father. He also had a great friend who moved to Achriesgill many years ago but then moved back to be nearer to Grandchildren so he knew the area well before we moved here. When I suggested we move to Scotland,  Andy was probably in shock for a few days before he set about the pursuit of getting a home here. That part is not easy and many locals will tell you of their difficult journey but it's well worth the pain you go through to get a place.

Most city dwellers think we're remote but you don't feel remote living here. It only feels remote when you set off to visit someone more than 2 hours away!

Some of the local services that I found useful to know about:

Medical services - great medical practice just in Kinlochbervie but the hospital is in Inverness, a couple of hours away. We have local paramedics who are brilliant so most emergencies can be dealt with locally.

Dentists - this is more of a challenge and you have to go to Tain / Ullapool or Inverness and it is a limited NHS service so you may have to join the waiting list or pay privately.

Groceries - Some great local shops (see local businesses) but they are not easy to see from the roadside. We have a petrol and hardware garage, a Spar, a local grocer and a vegetable delivery service, we also have a charcuterie and even a supermarket delivers to the area daily.

Vets - the Vets are either in Alness, Rogart or Inverness so a bit of a journey but they will do telephone appointments and I've even sent photos to them and they've returned the call to discuss my pets, so are very helpful.

Opticians - we haven't needed this service so far but likely to be Inverness.

Tradespeople - we have most trades in the area but they are often in high demand and you'll have to join the queue so plan well ahead.

Banks /Post office - we do have a visiting bank service that comes on a Thursday between 11 and 12 and  you can also get most things sorted at the Post Office, based at the local garage on Mon and Thurs 9-1pm. You can also draw cash out over the counter or there's an ATM at Scourie or Durness.

Delivery Services - one of the most frustrating things is we get classed as an Island not the Highlands!! so some companies won't deliver and waste about 2-4 weeks before they tell you they can't. So if it's a big purchase, then make sure you phone them, so that they know where they are delivering to. The IV postcode covers a large area and they assume it's Inverness. We do have some great couriers who deliver daily, Menzies or Royal Mail and Amazon never lets us down.

What we've learnt so far

• Try to limit appointments (dental check ups etc) in Winter months because you often find yourself cancelling and rearranging, It may look fine here but after travelling for an hour, if the weather gets bad in the Lairg region, and starts to deteriorate then you have to turn back.
• If the weather forecast says it will rain, it often turns out sunny, they get it completely wrong in this area. But if it says 70 + miles an hour winds, bolt everything down and brace yourself.
• Join some of the local groups on Facebook and you'll get to know more people. They love a willing pair of hands, to help with projects. There is Kinlochbervie, Scourie, or Durness Facebook groups.
• People are really friendly and it feels like bygone days, where you really had that sense of community, we still have it here.
• Most people have a story to tell about moving here so ask them, we've met some lovely people, who often pass by the gate and always stop and chat. There is a mixture of people who have holiday homes and residents but all are friendly and willing to help each other.
• We've had to brush up on a lot of our skills since moving, as the pandemic meant that tradespeople couldn't help so we had to do just about everything ourselves from building walls to making curtains.

For everything that is a challenge I always remember that I'm grateful every day for living here and it is by far my favourite place on earth.