ALAN'S PERSONAL SITE

Yes- this is it! The big one, the one we waited for for years - our retirement project! Buried deep in Scotland but not so far from communications, we have bought a farmhouse with its steading. The steading, or farm buildings, were VERY run-down having been left for 20 years with no maintenance and a previous owner on a tractor to knock holes in everything. In fact it was officially valued, for sale, as having no value. Quite right - it is costing us a small fortune to re-instate it something like, and we could never afford to do a complete face-lift. The house, however, is great! The neighbours all are very supportive - they saw the place going downhill with great sadness, so they are as helpful as they can be. Two years on, and we now have some buildings that keep out the rain, and keep hens, and some calves. The field that came with the property has been planted with trees, and the rest is grazed by a neighbour's sheep. The old water mill has a new lease of life as a lambing shed, and as I write, is heaving with new life - eight ewes and 15 lambs! So now we have a lovely quiet life, loads of good healthy outdoor work and a view to die for! The view above is the old view, just after moving in to the place in March 2004.

The view from across the valley is now a bit different, 18 months later - buildings re-roofed, the old farmhouse taken down lower and the garden given some TLC. . . . The large building at the back is the old water mill, and we would very much like to know more about its history. At the centre can be seen the old silage clamp with its rubbish, and a trailer parked on the concrete. John Douglas of Balmesh Smithy, has been a tower of strength, and supplied me with a tractor, trailer, link box and grass topper - and loads of welcome advice! His son Neil owns the sheep that graze our field.

And another close up from our neighbour's field?

Another view? Or would you like another view of the district? Here's a sunset to get you envious.....

Would you like to see one of the calves? This is an early view of my wife feeding her "first attempt" in the large tin shed that our vendor eventually removed. He had lost his mother at birth and was still on milk.......

One day we might give a close account of all our adventures with this place and its previous owners. You won't believe most of it, we wouldn't have either, a couple of years ago!
But in the meantime, there is a page of "Before and after" pictures for you . .

NEW - To further enlighten you on how we enjoy our life in Scotland, I have put together a few of the hundreds of photographs we have taken, to illustrate every day life - its work, its play, its fun, its frustrations, its births, its deaths. To access the entry page of thumb-nail pictures, click here, now for Life in Scotland

To our great regret, we have to leave. If you are interested in buying the place, go here.