Downshifting to the West Coast of Scotland (Applecross)

competitionscafe

Didn't see any posts on this but I watched a programme last night called Monty Halls Great Escape and thought it was good. I know that there are dozens of these 'escape from the rat race, have your own chickens and grow your own food' type of TV programmes and books but I enjoyed this one because it was set in a stunning part of the UK (Applecross), the guy doing it seemed likeable and although they could have gone into more detail it was interesting to watch the bits about pig rearing, hen keeping, veg growing, fishing etc.
http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/last-nights-tv-monty-halls-great-escape-%E2%80%93-and-great-it-was/

Just thought I would mention it in case anyone is interested. If you missed it it's on iplayer and there are another 2 (?) episodes to come. Sundays at 9pm: BBC2.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00j2nt6/Monty_Halls_Great_Escape_Episode_1/
(tip: the download to computer option gives much better picture quality than playing online)

'From the author' section at amazon:
I had always wanted to know if the dream we all have of escaping the rat race holds true. Having been profoundly touched by Gavin Maxwell's book Ring of Bright Water as a child, I decided to move to a tiny bothy on the west cost of Scotland to see if reality matched the fantasy. I hasten to add that I'm certainly no survival expert, being somewhat notorious amongst my friends down south for being a blithering incompetent at DIY and cooking (and being on my own!). The book tells the story of the magical place I found, and the alchemy of my personal journey through the good times and the bad. It is mainly anecdotal, not really and DIY / cooking / wildlife guide - I hope it reads slightly more as a diary of the ups and downs of living the simple life (which turns out to be bloody complicated). I found a very special place in Applecross - the small fishing and crofting community where the bothy is based, and the memory of the last six months will stay with me forever.
Bit of info and a short video clip/trailer here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beachcomber-Cottage-Monty-Halls/dp/1846076218/

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Not sure why he only stayed 6 months though as if it was all just done for the TV programme and book??
Would have been interesting to watch him spend a Highland winter there - especially the current 08/09 one.

juliapenguin

I love the sound of that. I'm feeling poorly and sorry for myself so after I've eaten my toad in the hole (comfort food...) I'm going to crawl into bed with my laptop (less trouble than my husband:rotfl: ) and watch that. Thank you.

csarina

We watched it too and found it interesting especially as i know the area quite well. The pass of the cattle is a hair raising drive, not so bad going down, but coming back up, not a happy experience...........we were staying on the caravan site at Applecorss, you can only get into it one way, and not the way he went!!!!!!!! Its right on the edge of the cliff, a gale force wind and I would not have given much for the chances of the caravan going over the edge!!!!

I look forward to the next instalment..............

powershopper

.and I'm waiting to see how he copes with the West Highland Midge........ living THAT close to the water, and boggy ground, and livestock!!!!
not a chance of survival mate......
when I was up there in June, the little blighters bit me in places only the District Nurse knows about............

Reverbe

I saw this guy I think on BBC Breakfast. The reason he did it was not as an austerity/hardship exercise so that is why he didnt do it longer or in winter. He wanted to experience the summer I think.

nodwah

It looked fabulous I love the west highlands scenery heaven but midgie hell - but we wondered how they managed to find so many sunny days for filming!

My DH used to live up that way and experienced 18 months without a single dry day:rotfl:

I would guess the reason he didn't stay all winter was because his roof and verandah would have blown away in the first storm :rotfl:
that and how could he have continued to cook on a barbecue in a westerly gale?:eek:

Still, I loved the programme and am smitten by his dog!

Olliebeak

Thanks for the headsup and link to this one, competitionscafe . Absolutely LOVE Applecross and I agree with Csarina - that road is abolutely terrific! (Can't you tell who didn't do the driving though !)

lol at the midgies, powershopper - they got me too during a July visit to Fort William and Skye. If you're ever back there again, try Stop Bite!It's all herbal made with Bogmyrtle and the only thing that I found that had any effect at all . You can even use it on your hair and scalp!!

thriftlady_2

I too loved the programme and immediately wanted to move up there. I'm taking on board what you're saying about midgies though;)

Thought the dog was just brilliant!

newleaf

I watched it, and enjoyed it. I thought the scenery was glorious, but I bet it's bleak in winter!

nesssie1702

powershopper wrote: »

.and I'm waiting to see how he copes with the West Highland Midge........ living THAT close to the water, and boggy ground, and livestock!!!!
not a chance of survival mate......
when I was up there in June, the little blighters bit me in places only the District Nurse knows about............

Hah - you think the West Highland midge is bad - try the Hebridean variety! The further north and further west you come, the worse they get :eek:

Saw the programme too and thought it was great. Reuben the dog is a star in his own right and seemed to have a ball chasing the chickens, the pigs and got the shock of his life when the seagull pecked at him. Will watch the next couple of episodes with interest

Nodwah - the Northwest had a glorious summer in 2008, a lot better than normal and not nearly as much rain as usual

powershopper

thanks for the anti-midge remedy olliebeak. DD's in-laws have a cottage by the water in Sheldaig, so we will no doubt be going again some time!
We visited in June and it never did go completely dark, so I was up and about early doors, photographing the otters and getting bitten (midgies). DD and her partner usually visit November or March-ish, never gets properly light, but no midges.....