Wednesday 7 November 2018

Living On The Isle Of Lewis

Several years ago we came to the Isle of Lewis on holiday with my parents.  All of us fell in love with its beauty, the friendliness of the people and the much slower pace of life.  For years we dreamt of one day living here so that we too could embrace the wonderful land and seascapes and be inspired by its beauty.



We had lived in a substantial 4 bedroomed house with all the large bills that comes with it and still paying a mortgage.  When Gerard's health started to deteriorate we decided that we should fulfill our dreams of moving to our Island paradise.  We downsized considerably, halving our outgoings and living mortgage free.  We live a simple life living on Military pensions and reaping the rewards from all our hard work.




Island living is not for everyone, there are very few shops so online shopping is a must.  This also has its challenges due to postage costs, but trial and error and neighbours have helped.  Ferries can be cancelled at short notice due to weather conditions which can be a struggle depending which side of the water you are.




Living by the sea gives you lots of beautiful views and inspiration but never forget the dangers.  It can be damaging with floods always a possibility.  The salt air whilst refreshing can also be damaging causing lots of rust.  Loss of life always a possibility in these very close knit communities, there are memorials all over the Island as constant reminders of the ferocious seas.




We live in the North of the Island so renowned for the wind, there is always an advantage...it keeps the midges at bay!  The only real downside of living here is that we miss our family terribly not seeing them as much as we would like.  There is no going back we love it here and have found our forever home. 

There has been an increase in traffic of late...



The peat stacks already for the colder weather, I love the smell of peat as it permeates around the village.  The tell tale wisps of smoke coming from the chimney stacks.



I hoped that help for all those have asked "what made you move there?"  you need to see the beauty for yourselves and then you will know the answer.  This Island call out to you and draws you in, if you see its beauty like we did then it becomes home.



Hope that helps all those that have asked.  As always I thank you for your uplifting comments and support.  Thankfully there was no damage from the last storm.  My parents have still not moved over, they are now thinking it may be a little late for them, but they are well cared for and loved.  The family visit as often as they can and my niece goes over weekly to take my Mum shopping and organises anything that needs doing.

See you soon.

38 comments:

  1. How utterly beautiful, it's easy to see why you moved there. I am of the opinion that we need to start living the life we want before we get too old to do it or enjoy it.

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  2. It looks like a beautiful place to live. How lucky you are that you could fulfill your dream. I'd love to live somewhere like that just for a year and maybe do a photographic study - a year on the island, that sort of thing. I always think of that when we go up to the north of Michigan where things are sparse and far between. The beauty of the land is just stunning and I imagine spending a year or even a winter up there and take lots of phots. Definitely just a dream. I love the photos you post. Really stunning!

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  3. We visited Scotland many times in childhood holidays although the last time we visited was in 2006 ( I mentioned this holiday in my blog post 'remembering those distant hills' ) and we hope to visit again someday. I love living by the sea; I couldn't be hemmed inland in a big town or city. Take care. Best, Jane :) x

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  4. It is so beautiful I am so glad you are both living the dream, thankyou for sharing your story. x

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  5. Oh my gosh, I would love it! I was lucky enough to travel to Scotland in 2016. I really felt a connection to the highlands - my grandpa Kincaid and that side of family came from there. Beautiful!

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  6. Those sheep look gorgeous.. so fluffy and clean. Have they been for a shampoo and set? :-)

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  7. Great to live out a dream and find it's just as you imagined.

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  8. It looks stunning. The rugged landscape and never ending sky is simply breath taking. I can see why you love it so much. X

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  9. Beautiful place. Hate midges.

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  10. You live in such a beautiful and enchanting place, my friend. And what a joy to be able to fulfill your dream. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.

    Hugs to you!

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  11. I'm glad to hear there was no damage after the last lot of stormy weather. It's good to know that your dream of living on the Isle of Lewis has been fulfilled and continues to give you and your husband much pleasure and satisfaction.

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  12. Hello Lorraine, that is just beautiful. Our dream has always been to live near the sea. The thought was the Oregon coast but since all of our children live far away from there, that probably won’t happen. I so enjoyed seeing the pictures of your beautiful island paradise and I’m so happy that you and Girard have achieved your dream. Much love and blessings, Betsy

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  13. I think you fulfilled a wonderful dream to reality ! It would be even more perfect if the weather would be a bit better ! but the landscapes are so wonderful and I love it wild and with rocks. And I adore your neighbours the wooly sheep ! They look far more romantic then mine (only humans) !

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  14. Good for you for living the dream. Your enjoyment of the place sings through your posts.

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  15. I see a mystical beauty and I like it. I could live there and feel the winds, more so I like hearing the winds howl at night. Beautiful place. Would have to plan early for shopping or take advantage of it when going out to see or visit other places.
    I must say I would rather deal with the traffic you have more than the motorized traffic. A place for creativity, such as yours. I love it.
    Betsy

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  16. My friends lived on Lewis for 3 years and loved it. Sadly they couldn't find anywhere to buy and even rental was difficult so they have recently moved to Orkney as they love Island life now. Your pictures are wonderful.

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  17. Some places just call out to you. Glad you've found your little piece of home.

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  18. Oh happy sigh...... What beauty! What natural beauty!

    Certainly can understand your wish, to downsize and move there and live the life, you want to live. Hooray for you!!!!!

    And lots and lots of hugs...

    ✨🍁✨🍎✨🍁✨

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  19. I think it's wonderful that you and your husband have been able to follow your dream to live on the Isle of Lewis! It's a beautiful place full of quiet beauty. I'm so happy you have followed your heart! ♥

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  20. I am so glad your dream is now your real life - not many achieve this. I always enjoy reading about island life. x

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  21. A very beautiful place. The furthest I have been is to the Isle of Islay where my childrens great grandparents lived many years ago.

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  22. So glad you are able to live your dream!

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  23. How blessed you are to be living your dream. There is a rugged beauty on that island and I know that you are enjoying your adventures in island living.

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  24. I can see why you love to live in such an awesome, rugged area close to the sea. You found your cozy cottage and have already done so much work on it. It must be hard being so far from your family though.

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  25. The picture are so beautiful and serene that they can really sooth the mind.

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  26. I've been your blog friend from before you moved so I've followed your adventure all along. I love seeing your island home and all your wonderful seascapes. My favorite is the lone stone cottage above the sea. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  27. I think you made a good decision. And a more pared-down lifestyle is so much more fulfilling. Enjoy! Phil

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  28. The Isle of Lewis looks beautiful with absolutely stunning views. Sadly I live 1,000km from the coast so I don't get to see the ocean very often. I am a quarter Scottish from my mothers side. My uncle delved into the geneology of the family and we are from the Isle of Skye!!!

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  29. You definitely are living the good life. Your island is beautiful. There will never be a lack of photography opportunities. If I should decide to make a new life in a new place, I think it would be in Montana far from the ocean.

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  30. You've made a well-thought-out decision, and thank you for sharing with us. You do live in a beautiful spot. Our island (Vancouver Island) is much larger, with more services, but there is still the feeling of being cut off at times, and ferries are costly and time-consuming. Still, we love it here, as you and Gerard do on Lewis.
    Love that pile of peat!

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  31. I can understand why you chose this place especially when it is your dream to live in such a beautiful place. The scenery is beautiful and I love the smell of sea breeze. I am glad you are now living in your dream place.

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  32. It's so beautiful and by following your hearts there you are now living your dream:)

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  33. Having followed you since just before your move, I love that you had this dream in mind, worked towards it and achieved your goal and that you are so happy there, apart from of course missing your lovely family. I guess in a way that is what makes the times you do see them all the more special. Having also following for some years now another Lewis blogger, I quite understand the lure of the beauty and ruggedness the island has to offer. Wishing you many many happy years in your forever home.

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  34. I am glad you found your new home and having a smaller house with less stresses is quite valuable for a quality of life. I bet you miss the kids and grands but that is what vacations are for!!

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  35. The beauty there is breathtaking and gives me goosebumps every time I look at your pictures. I'm glad your dream came true.

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  36. It is a beautiful place to live, very peaceful. I would live there in a second if I could. I am glad you are enjoying your dream.

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  37. Your posts continue to remind me of the treasured years we lived on the Pacific Coast in northern CA. There were memorials for those lost in the terribly beautiful sea, and tales were told to me of the early settlers swimming their flocks of sheep out to Castle Rock for the sheep to graze there from time to time. I am so glad you are enjoying your island! xx

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