holiday home owners
Recently, I had a wee read of a post that The Croft had written about a beautiful house on Lewis that was for sale. He described the house, and then ended his post by hoping that it was occupied by an permanent home owner and not utilised as a “part time ” holiday home. Perhaps naively, I asked Croft what he had against us holiday home owners. He pointed out the problems this caused, another commenter mentioned the difficulties for locals if houses are snapped up by in comers at inflated prices,and we exchanged a few other comments, but it left me thinking.
Personally, I suspect it’s too simplistic an answer to blame holiday home owners for the decline of a young population in rural areas. I was brought up in the wilds of Galloway in a tiny village. As a very small child ,the village boasted two small shops and a wee post office, plus a host of travelling shop vans selling bread, fruit, fish- there was even one from the chemists shop! By the time I left, the shops and post office had gone and few vans remained.
I and my friends from The Brig o’ Dee and the neighbouring villages, Rhonehouse and Gelston, could not wait to get away to Edinburgh or Glasgow.We wanted to meet boys who didn’t think it was acceptable to wear boiler suits and wellies to the pub. We wanted to live somewhere you could use public transport after seven pm. We wanted to do bad things without our parents finding out from a sharp eyed neighbour. But mostly, we left to pursue further education- there was no college or University within commuting distance.
After my spell at college was finished, I stayed on in Glasgow- it actually never crossed my mind to return , because I was having far too much fun. But if I’d wanted to , it would have been the lack of employment that put me off, not the lack of affordable housing. A quick straw poll of my old school friends at a reunion a few years ago told an identical story.
Occasionally, a house would go up for sale in Bridge of Dee. Even more occasionally some big shot from down South ,looking to retire in a lovely rural area would pay way over the asking price and outbid a local family. But it was a rare occurance. Not many young families wanted to live in the village because it had no school, shop, and it was populated by a lot of old fuddy duddys who liked to walk their dogs round the Loop and not much else. It doesn’t even have a pub.
I see an almost identical pattern of events playing out on Cumbrae. There is very little all year round employment. If you work in Largs, you probably prefer to live in Largs ,as the daily ferry fare would add quite a bit to your living expenses.
The daughter of the electrician has gone to Uni in Glasgow. Luigi and Angela’s (the Ritz Cafe owners)children have also flown the nest, and show no apparent desire to come back and run the Ritz. The youngsters that Perfect Daughter met over the summer were predominantly home for the summer from Uni or college. Will they return to Cumbrae when they have finished their education? My guess is -probably not.
So is it really fair to blame people for buying property , in a rural community, to use as a holiday house? I freely admit that I was pleased that my old mum’s house in Bridge of Dee went to a young family when we sold it. It’s a big family house and I had a lovely childhood in it. But I hope I would have accepted it if somebody had wanted to use it as an occasional residence.
Do locals perhaps feel that summer renters don’t contribute to the fabric of the community? That they dip in and out when it suits them? That’s a fair comment, though personally Big Man and I have tried to take part where we can.
Of course, I’m only talking about Cumbrae- I simply don’t know enough about the demographic spread of other Scottish Islands to see if the problems Cumbrae faces in retaining it’s young population are the same for other Islands. I’m sure somebody will tell me though. I’d welcome comments from Millportians too!
If I look deep inside my stony old heart is what is the origin of my discomfort at the (thankfully) rare bitter jibes at my status of “second home owner”? Does it stem from a slight feeling that I’m being “got at?” Or do I secretly feel that I’m being a wee bit greedy??
October 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
This is a sticky subject, but my feelings are that people buying holiday homes are being sold them by someone! Someone local? So, if there is any blame it goes two ways. Here on Lewis there are plenty of homes for sale, most of which have been on the market for a long time, so lots available for families and young people who want to stay on the islands. As well as that, there are more new houses being built than houses for sale. I don’t understand the animosity towards people moving to different places (so-called incomers), why isn’t it seen as a compliment that someone wants to move to live in a beautiful place that they weren’t born in?
October 6th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I have no axe to grind either way here. People buy and sell houses at the going rate, and that’s unavoidable. I suppose a house that is used as a holiday rental is at least being occupied for quite a lot of the time, and the visitors will be contributing to the local economy to some extent, just as owner-occupiers would be. It does seem a shame, though, for a lovely house to lie empty for long periods. A house such as the one in Lewis wouldn’t really be suitable for many people as a permanent residence, either young people who need to work or go to school, or older ones who need medical facilities etc and don’t want to live so remotely.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
When people can afford to buy a summer home, say in Spain or similar place with a hot climate in the Summer, I can’t see the problem, they contribute to the local economy and probably when they rent them out or friends stay there, they contribute to the local economy.If their are no job opportunities, migration of young
local people will continue to areas where there is work.
The islends of Scotland are no different. It’s sad but Scots have always moved to other parts of the world and it’s better their original homes being inhabited, even if it’s just for part of the year rather than becoming rundown.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Well said LL and I agree eith the comments left by fellow bloggers. In the village where i live in france ,sadlyhouse prices have went up so much,it is mostly ouitsiders buying them and youngsters from our village end up renting what houses their are to rent.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
To my mind there is quite a difference between owning a house/flat that you rent out to serial visitors and owning one solely for own use. The former must contribute more to the local economy than the latter, surely.
I’m with tiumpanhead on the ‘Who sold it in the first place?’ bit though. If you don’t want incomers, don’t sell to them. Do the altruistic thing and sell at a market loss to a struggling indigine. Aye right…
October 7th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Well I think thats true, Kc, I mean about the renting it out part. I hope I’m bringing people to the area who will spend lots of dosh in the local shops and cafes, and also introduce cumbrae as a lovely place to visit for those that have never been before. Of course I’d be lying if I said that was my only motive!! I’m not quite that altruistic
- the main aim for renting Crawford St was to cover my council tax. When I do my books at the end of the year, I’ll tell you if I achieved that!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Course what you must also remeber is that a River side weegie property comes at a premium, the value of which would outstrip the cost of the island property the croft orignially spoke of..so maybe just maybe its all a smoke screen after all
Gie the crock a pat fae me next time your in toon dearest LL. Envy is envy is envy.. I myself suffer from middleclass envy, but I am adult enough to know that says more about me than them.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Ah the dafties ayeways playing the man and no ra baw as they say in the weeg…
That a croft house with no central heating in the wilds of Bernera can go on the market at offers over £140K is indicative of the problem posed by the second homes and holiday let market.
“…a River side weegie property comes at a premium, the value of which would outstrip the cost of the island property…”
I should be so lucky.
And you can dress it up anyway you like but houses in small communities that lie empty for six months of the year have an impact that no amount of seasonal souvenir shopping can make up for.
Still, as long as you’re making a buck right?
Anyway, the point of my original blog post was simply that I think great houses should be loved and lived in rather than lie empty. I made no arguments or points about the island’s housing issues or evil landlords/ladies…but maybe something’s bothered your conscience
October 8th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
ahh so the heatin is the issue, well your in luck then, intrest free loans to heat and ecologically fit oot yur property fae the Scottish government. I happen to be an expert on evil land persons, GHA rool, unfortunatly!! Next bemoaning stumbling block please? Some people dont know when they are lucky, I should know, I’d l;ove to share a tale with you, but alas I have grown quite attatched to my coupin
October 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Croft:
Nope, my conscience is clear. My own flat is never empty for six weeks of the year, let alone six months. I bought a modest flat at a modest price, and I can’t help but think your own idea of property prices is a bit rose tinted if you think £140 is steep for a three bedroomed property in any part of the country, with or without central heating..you certainly couldn’t buy one in Falkirk for that, and it’s hardly a holiday destination here!!
I agree. It’s a shame for a property to lie empty. It’s a shame young people struggle to find affordable, pleasant housing within commuting distance from their work. It’s a shame mortgages are so difficult to come by, and it’s an even greater shame that nobody can be sure they will even have a flamin’ job by Christmas(and I include myself in that group..)
But no, darlin. It’s not my shame.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
£140K might not be much for a property magnate like yourself DARLIN but for a blue collar, first time buying couple on Lewis looking for a two-bedroom in their own district it’s a lot of poppy. I have friends in that very boat. A £35K deposit and they’d still never reach the final offer.
And it’s a shame those buying second homes, driving up market prices, preventing those unable to get mortgages from even long term renting and generally fracturing communities don’t get hit a little harder on community and inheritance taxes.
A real shame.
Yonweegie, the issue wasn’t heating and I didn’t have one anyway. The issue appeared to be LL’s wee guilt complex. BTW you sound like TWS.
(that stirring and controversial enough for you?)
October 8th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Swoon…ahh the blessed TWS, yes I admit I am an admirer, but alas I couldnae hold a candle tae him… You dont have ONE? Well no surprise there then, you certainly dont seem to have a good memory, I’m positive a photie fae your abode (your claim not mine) clearly showed the river clyde.
as for the LL’s guilt, that seems to be a figment of your imagination, she doesnt seem to be, neither should she be guilty in any way. Maybe you should do an exchange with someone in Altyre street, then maybe you would have better things to worry about than herrangin folks who write entertaining and informative nae often witty blogs. You remind me oh my ex..never happy unless your moanin.
Sorry for using your blog in this manner dearest LL, but ma dander is up
October 8th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Heh Heh, carry on weegie wummin.
Croft. I’m not saying £140k is’nt a lot of money .I’m saying you can hardly lay all the blame for inflated prices at my door. Neither can you ignore the economic problems that have made those prices out of ordinary people’s reach. However, first time buyers , in any part of the country, would be ill advised to try and make their first home a three bed detached , no??
As to inheritance taxes, I’ve definitely paid them . you don’t know the half of it..darlin.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Yonweeg, (Or whoever you really are) what are you on about? Where did I say I didn’t have/own a property?
My “I should be so lucky” was in reference to it’s value outstripping the house in Bernera. And as for LL’s guilt being but a figment, I quote her last blogline: “…do I secretly feel that I’m being a wee bit greedy??”
And landlady why do you keep referring to a 3 bedroom detached?
The Bernera house in question has only two bedrooms which seems pretty standard for anyone buying a first house (y’know kids, visitors staying over that kinda thing).
Once again the poor Croft states an opinion to the contrary and the dafties (even in new guises) get all riled up. My work here is done
October 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
On the point of my “guilt” - ’tis true, I have a little pang of “oh my god, I’m so lucky something terrible is sure to happen to pay me back”. Do you know what I mean?
October 8th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Never one to grudge a normal (if you’ll pardon the expression landlady dear) person a bit of good fortune, I for one am very pleased for yours. If Mr Croft isn’t
then I’m a Dutch cat (cat…oh for goodness sake do pay attention).
There’s something to be said here about unreal aspirations, even taking into account the hellish price of property in relation to incomes these days. How many people starting out nowadays would be content with a room and kitchen? How many would buy second hand furniture and white goods? How many would start off with a dustpan and brush for the carpets and washing the clothes in the bath and hanging them to drip on a pulley? Why do people happily spend £20,000 on a wedding when that would go some way towards a deposit? Expectations have far outstripped cold hard reality.
Sheesh. I’m away to purr on a warm lap
October 9th, 2009 at 12:34 am
October 9th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Jeebus.
You’re right Taddoe why didn’t I think of that?!
Once I sell my riverside mansion and yacht tomorrow I’ll move to Lewis, buy the damn house (and all the 1300+ second homes just for the laugh), start up a successful private limited company thus ending the island’s employment and emigration issues in one fell swoop, crown myself Lord Of The Long Island and erect a statue of myself atop Gallow’s Hill, cast in gold and casually hanging from the War Memorial like a latter day gaelic King Kong.
Back in the real world however, we’ll just keep looking for jobs over there and trying to flog our flat for marginally less than was paid for it…
Right, I really am done here. LL has had more action cos of ol’ rent-a-gob here than she’s had in months. I oughta be charging her for the PR really.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Well it was lovely of you to come and visit , Croft, thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:49 am
I see The Croft has been stirring the pot again!!
October 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
och, he likes a wee stir! It’s a wonder he’s got time to comment on my blog though, what with having to Save The World..
His points were fair enough, though I don’t agree with them all, and I enjoy a good debate so long as it doesn’t get too personal… 
October 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
KC - that’s a whole other blog, that topic! As my old grandad used to say, “one generation’s luxuries are the next generation’s necessities”. I agree whole heartedly with you though- most of them think they can sing too.. witness X Factor etc!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I think Mr Croft has a very big spurtle!
It’s grand to have such a lively discussion without sundry boys flinging their fluffies out the bassinet.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
October 10th, 2009 at 3:02 am
October 10th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
He’s not rising to the challenge…
Story of ma liff…
October 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Oh well if he’s away to save some cause or other, I’ll tell the truth. I’ve heard its tiny.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
tell the truth and shame the dvil, eh LL?
anyhoo….did you see who I had over veesitin..ahhhh, I still aint calmed doon on that one.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:07 am
October 12th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I agree with tiumpanhead there is a seller for every house, and they are asking a price and if they wanted to keep locals in it why not just accept a realistic price for the house.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:39 am
thumpinheed!!!
December 24th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hey. I couldn’t get through to this page the other day. Anyone else had the problem?