Its rugged beauty is unparalleled but there’s more to this Scottish hideaway than good looks – it could be your best property investment yet…

The wildness and unadulterated beauty of the Highlands of Scotland seduces its visitors, attracting undiminished numbers every year. It has provided a spectacular backdrop for big budget films like Harry Potter, as well as attracting celebrities and remaining a firm favourite for the Royal family.

But it’s not just the stunning scenery that makes it a winner. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland include Fort William and Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Moray, Inverness, Loch Ness and Nairn, Aviemore and the Cairngorms and the Northern Highlands. The islands include Orkney, The Shetland Isles and The Hebrides. It’s a vast and remote area...but it’s happening! Excellent flight and rail links from airports around the UK and Ireland, plus car hire, makes even the quietest areas easily accessible to everyone.

Tranquil and intriguing
‘For many people the Highlands really ‘are’ Scotland, living up to their picture-postcard images with majestic scenery, awesome wild places, towering mountains, ancient pine forests and broad expanses of dark, shimmering loch,’ explains Mary McGarrie from Visit Scotland. ‘They are this of course, and more. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is the obvious springboard to explore more remote areas. There are miles of coastline and intriguing islands. The inspiring landscape, tranquillity and space are main attractions but if you like the active life, the Highlands offer unsurpassed opportunities for a host of outdoor pursuits. This is particularly true around Fort William and Lochaber, which proclaims itself ‘the outdoor capital of the UK’.  

This is a region where tourists and those tracing their Scottish ancestry will always flock. But of course a stunning holiday that ticks all the boxes is different to investing your money into a property. However, wise choices based on your own circumstances could make the Highlands a solid investment.

‘The property market has weathered the recent financial storms well, and prices have remained relatively stable compared to other areas,’ says Sarah Woodcock, manager of HSPC (Highland Solicitors Property Centre, www.hspc.co.uk), who adds that property buyers today have ‘plenty to choose from’.

There’s also the buzz of city life nearby. ‘Inverness sits at the heart of the whole region and offers a city experience, but it is only a stone’s throw away from some of the highest mountains in Britain,’ says Sarah. ‘And over the last 15 to 20 years Inverness has grown substantially and has much to offer including a busy retail centre with plenty of good shops and big names.

It is also a great business hub of the Highlands. The University of Highlands & Islands is developing and will open up opportunities in Inverness. Today’s communication technology means you no longer have to be close at hand to keep in contact with business, friends and family so for those wishing to live out in the sticks it has become a viable option.’

Up and coming
But can the buzz and growing communications counter often harsh weather and stunning but arguably extreme remoteness? ‘In the past, I would have said perhaps bigger cities like London and Edinburgh have more going on culturally but Inverness is growing. The weather in winter can be a bit challenging it’s true, but that has been the case all over the UK in the last couple of years,’ says Sarah.

So it seems that once you’ve got your money sorted, and your snow gear, you may be ready for your Highland fling!

6 steps to take you to your Highland hideaway

1. The property buying process in Scotland differs to Eng land and Wales and may well be quicker. It also means you’re not likely to be gazumped.
2. ‘The main difference is in the contract process,’ says Sarah Woodcock. ‘The contract is made up of the formal offer signed by the purchaser’s solicitor and the acceptance signed by the seller’s solicitor. If the acceptance has conditions in it the purchaser’s solicitor must sign a formal letter on behalf of the purchaser accepting these conditions. All these documents are a type of legal missive. Solicitors often refer to the binding contract as concluded missives.’
3. You should engage the services of a Scottish solicitor for your purchase early on as properties can move quickly. Your solicitor can organise a survey if necessary and ‘notify interest’ on your behalf.
4. In England, you may make offers below the asking price, but in Scotland, as in Ireland, you are invited to make offers above the advertised price, unless it’s fixed for quick sale. This requires special consideration and your solicitor should guide you as there is usually a deadline for receipt of offers.
5. ‘Buyers and sellers unaccustomed to the Scottish legal system are often surprised that they don’t have to sign contract documentation,’ says Sarah.  ‘Also the contract generally becomes legally binding in Scotland at an earlier stage than south of the border.’
6. Buying in Scotland also means you have to be absolutely certain of your interest in a property before you place an offer.

Be king of your castle...
What you can expect to pay:

• Kilturlity 2-bed detached cottage... offers over £175,000
• Inverness 3-bed semi-detached villa... around £155,000
• Fort William 4-bed detached cottage... around £295,000
• Nairn, 3-bed, Grade II listed building with additional 4-bed basement flat... around £400,000
• Isle of Skye, 17-bed property, commercial... offers over £695,000.

‘We’ve never regretted our dream Highlands move’
Michael Robson, 62, and Jane Thompson, 60, have never been happier since relocating from England to the Scottish Highlands where they run a successful bed and breakfast ‘Garadh Buidhe’ and self-catering apartment Nevis Rest, near Fort William.

‘We lived in Derbyshire for 20 years, but holidayed in Scotland, visiting two or three times a year. Our favourite area was the west coast and the Highlands. We fell in
love with the scenery, the mountains and lochs, wildlife and heathers. We talked about retiring there and often looked at houses for sale during holidays.  In 2005, we started looking for houses on the internet and put our own house up for sale, luckily just before the downturn
in the property market.

‘The Scottish property system was very different from England and this was a shock. We had to offer above the purchase price – at least 10% more. Also, we had to have the cash available before making an offer on a property in Scotland, as once you make an offer it is a binding agreement with penalties if you withdraw. We had to
be sure that we had a definite sale of our house in the Midlands before making the offer on a house in Scotland.

‘After negotiations, we decided to buy Garadh Buidhe just outside Fort William, mainly because of the ideal location. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the shops and schools in Fort William but it’s in the sticks in an idyllic glen location on the banks of the River Lochy, a salmon fishing river, and with beautiful mountain views over
the breathtaking Beinn Bhan.

‘The move to Scotland was a rush, packing up and feeling stressed. Wwe did wonder if we were we doing the right thing at one point. We got there before the removal men and when we walked into our new place we realised we’d made the right choice – it felt like home.

‘We had not originally intended to do bed and breakfast but decided to try it out to help with household bills. As a result, we’ve met some lovely people from all over the world.

‘Moving here was the best thing we’ve ever done. We have beautiful scenery which we never get sick of; it changes on a daily basis. The stars at night are amazing because there are no street lights or pollution.

‘We bought two telescopes to capture the views and wildlife and the highlight was spotting two juvenile sea eagles from the Isle of Mull, looking for their own home, who landed on the River Lochy, just in front of our lounge window! Other local visitors include deer, pine martens and golden eagles.’

‘It was a big decision to uproot and leave family (daughter, grandchild and elderly mum), but we’ve never regretted it. We love to visit family in the Midlands, but we can’t wait to get back home!’

 Image: Getty