Escape To The Country Season 26 Episode 35 journeys to the magical landscapes of Argyll and Bute, where Alistair Appleton helps globetrotter Sabiha leave city life behind in search of peaceful coastal living in Scotland. With a £400,000 budget, the search includes charming countryside homes, waterside retreats, and an unforgettable mystery house set on a tiny car-free island, reached by an exciting ferry journey.
Alistair also meets a couple who have already embraced the Argyll and Bute lifestyle, creating their dream home on a beautiful lochside croft. This inspiring episode showcases the appeal of Scotland’s coastal countryside and the unique lifestyle opportunities found in this breathtaking region.
#EscapeToTheCountry #ArgyllAndBute #Scotland #CountryLiving #CoastalHome
Alistair also meets a couple who have already embraced the Argyll and Bute lifestyle, creating their dream home on a beautiful lochside croft. This inspiring episode showcases the appeal of Scotland’s coastal countryside and the unique lifestyle opportunities found in this breathtaking region.
#EscapeToTheCountry #ArgyllAndBute #Scotland #CountryLiving #CoastalHome
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00:02Today we're embracing the sights and sounds of the countryside.
00:05The birds are so loud here.
00:07So loud. Get them silent.
00:09The birds, the water.
00:11So loud, those birds.
00:13As well as the delights of the coast.
00:16I'm excited.
00:19Hoping to make dreams a reality.
00:21I think it's just idyllic.
00:23The house is gorgeous.
00:24It's probably exactly what I was looking for, from the outside anyway.
00:27In a place where we all feel at home.
00:30I can easily see myself in this kitchen.
00:33Yeah, I can see myself here as well.
00:35I have to share.
00:57Today we're in Scotland, exploring Argyll and Bute, which offers a balance of beauty and ruggedness, as well as adventure
01:06and tranquility.
01:10If you ever needed a reason to escape to the country, this might be it.
01:15I've been coming to Argyll and Bute for 25 years now, off and on.
01:20And there is something so special about the coastline here.
01:24It really tugs at my heartstrings.
01:26It's the smell of the seaweed, the black rock, the beautiful sky.
01:31Oh, it is pure Scotland.
01:36To the west of Glasgow, a world away from the city, yet still easily accessed, is the council area of
01:43Argyll and Bute.
01:45I think the west coast is a hidden gem.
01:48I think a lot of people want to keep it that way, to be honest.
01:52But we're quite lucky.
01:54With something new to discover around every corner, and numerous inhabited islands, there are over 3,000 miles of coastline.
02:14The towns of the region play host to annual events, celebrating local language and traditions.
02:21There's the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival, and then the Royal National Maud, which is Gaelic culture, music,
02:30singing, it's just amazing.
02:36Today's buyer has lived all over the world.
02:40But for her, Argyll and Bute is the place, the place she wants to call home.
02:49Hi, my name is Sabir.
02:51I'm 51 years old, and I live in the new town in Edinburgh.
02:55Currently in a charming but compact Georgian attic flat, Sabir has quite literally started to outgrow it.
03:03You can see I have plants all down my landing.
03:06I'm really looking forward to having a large garden outside space where I can have my own vegetable garden, herb
03:14garden, grow flowers, fruits.
03:16I am a big, passionate reader and collector of books, so every space that I can find I'm always trying
03:23to put more bookcases in it.
03:25Having moved a lot over the years, Sabir is now ready to find a base she can really make her
03:31own and start a new rural chapter.
03:34What I'm really, really looking forward to is just, this is going to be so different for me, having lived
03:39in cities all my life.
03:41And that's really exciting because it's an adventure and I absolutely love adventures.
03:48Helping Sabir find her new home and coming along on this particular adventure is younger sister Yasmin.
03:57My role, I see, is to be the voice of reason, to be the voice of practical considerations.
04:04She can be quite single-minded.
04:07So, you know, if I can just be the one that kind of just maybe suggests things to consider, I
04:12don't think she'll listen to me, but I could at least say I said it.
04:16You're right, I'm single-minded, so if something's right for me, then it's right for me.
04:21It might not be right for everyone else, but, you know, it's all about me.
04:26And quite right too, because this move is all about Sabir.
04:30For a budget of £400,000, she would love a detached character property in or on the edge of a
04:37village.
04:38A minimum of three bedrooms would be ideal for Sabir to host friends and family when they visit.
04:43And a decent-sized garden to expand her fruit and floral ambitions.
04:58Ah, well I feel already a kindred spirit with Sabir because she's chosen to live here.
05:03She's travelled all around the world.
05:05And she's seeing this part of the world as the gateway out to all those wonderful Western Isles, the Hebrides.
05:12She's such an adventure playground for the travellers.
05:17I can't wait to meet her.
05:20We're all starting our Scottish adventure on the south coast of the Craignish Peninsula in the village of Ardfern.
05:27So, first I'm meeting our sisters down by the loch.
05:33Look at this! Amazing!
05:35That's glorious!
05:36So beautiful! Thank you so much for bringing me to this part of Scotland.
05:40How long have you been dreaming of coming up here?
05:42I think probably the last three years I've really got to the point where I was ready to move to
05:46the countryside.
05:47I love Edinburgh, but after travelling around Scotland for the last few years, I've just fallen in love with the
05:54countryside.
05:55You get the bug, right?
05:56Yes.
05:56So it's quite a big move from the middle of the city to sort of quite rural.
06:01What are your feelings about that?
06:03I think Yasmin has spoken in my ear a lot about being isolated and being too rural and all the
06:09practicalities of being out in the sticks.
06:12So I think ideally it would be nice to be somewhere near community or in the vicinity of community.
06:17I'm very practical in that sense, so I'm always like looking and going, how good are the roads? What are
06:22the potholes like?
06:23Yeah, so I think I just want to make sure it's the right place for her so that she doesn't
06:28feel isolated and she feels connected as well.
06:30That's why you've brought your smart younger sister.
06:34Well, I'd say younger sister.
06:36Well, shall we start looking at some houses?
06:38Sounds good. I'm excited.
06:40And the first one is just down the road. Shall we go?
06:43Yes. We can walk there.
06:43Brilliant. Oh, thank you.
06:46Situated on the sheltered shores of Loch Cregnish, Artfern is home to one of Scotland's most innovative underwater restoration projects,
06:55aiming to re-wild the loch, known as sea-wilding.
07:00The initiative is heavily supported by the active and passionate community here.
07:06The village hall benefits from a year-round arts programme, hosting varied acts from Billy Bragg to the Scottish Opera.
07:15In the middle of all this action, down a quiet road, is the property we've come to see.
07:22Here we have our first offering. I love this house.
07:26Oh, it's cute. Yeah. That's really cute.
07:29This house is actually quite modern. It's from about 2003. What are your first thoughts?
07:34I really like the village space. It's just a really lovely energy to the place. And the property is actually
07:39really nice looking. I love the fact that it's on a little bit of a hill. And then the garden
07:45just looks stunning. This is a great start.
07:48And you've got people around you. Yeah.
07:52Yes. Yes. I see where you're coming from there. Not too remote.
07:56Yeah, but you've got people around you and like that, it's really well connected.
07:59It's a wondrous community, yeah. You'll never be lonely here.
08:02No, no. I like that all you can hear is the birdsong.
08:05Exactly. Yes. It's so quiet. And it's got great views, this house.
08:08Oh, I can't wait. Didn't even ask for views.
08:14This modern property was designed and built by the current owners, who have kept it in immaculate condition.
08:21Inside, the layout takes good advantage of its elevated position, which I'll reveal to them shortly.
08:27But first, we're heading straight into the kitchen diner.
08:30Oh, my goodness. Here's the kitchen.
08:33Oh, this is lovely. Oh, this is so cute. Isn't it great?
08:37And everything. I can easily see myself in this kitchen.
08:39Yeah, I can see myself here as well. I'd like to share.
08:43Oh, it's a lovely space.
08:44Oh, and there's definitely room for my bookcases.
08:48And what's great is that it's an air source heat pump, so very green.
08:54That's great news. It's such a nice feeling in this room.
08:57It's so snug. Can you imagine coming and having your breakfast?
08:59I can imagine myself doing lots of things, cooking, writing, just sitting and, you know, enjoying life.
09:07Are you a big cook?
09:08Yes, love to cook. People do come for my Indian night.
09:12Is that your speciality? Yes.
09:14Delicious.
09:16And to relax after said delicious meal, upstairs there's a large inviting sitting room.
09:24This is an amazing room because this is maximising the views down the valley.
09:30Oh, yes. I love all the windows.
09:32Yeah, the windows are amazing and the views are stunning.
09:35Yes. Oh, my goodness, those views.
09:37That is wonderful. Such a lovely space.
09:40Shall we have a look in the bedroom?
09:41Mm-hm.
09:43This would probably be the main one because it's got quite a nice en suite.
09:47Oh, lovely.
09:48And you can, it's got views down over the, towards the water, you can see.
09:52Oh, of course. Water views.
09:53Or the boats. Oh, wow.
09:55No, it's lovely.
09:56How are you thinking about using the space? Obviously, you want to have some guest rooms, I assume.
10:01Mm-hm. Yes, definitely a guest room.
10:03Probably, definitely a library slash craft room.
10:06And then I'll have to figure out what to do with the rest of the room.
10:10A morning room.
10:11A drawing room.
10:13Afternoon room.
10:15Also on this floor is a family bathroom and a second well-presented bedroom.
10:20Oh, this is a really nice space and lovely views again.
10:23This would be a nice guest bedroom, I think.
10:25Would you stay here?
10:27Sure.
10:30Yeah.
10:31Back downstairs are a further two bedrooms.
10:34Oh, wow.
10:35Ooh, this is lovely. Oh, this is, oh, this is amazing.
10:38It's a big room.
10:39Oh, yeah. I'll take this one instead.
10:42No, you're going upstairs.
10:44Oh, wow.
10:45Another lovely room.
10:46Oh, this is so nice.
10:48I think this would be my office.
10:50No. Upstairs for you, downstairs for us.
10:54I can see the desk there and I can see bookcases.
11:00Attached to one side of the property is a single garage with a potential reading room above.
11:06Outside, the back of the house looks out onto a sloped pasture, often inhabited by horses or highland cows.
11:14There's a small pond and an area of hard standing which could be a good spot for some raised beds.
11:21To the front is a lawned area and a tranquil water feature with some peaceful residents.
11:29It's a beautiful garden.
11:31Lovely pond.
11:32Yes.
11:33It's stunning. It really is.
11:36OK, so the vital information is, of course, how much it costs.
11:39I'd say this is probably on the market maybe for offers over £380,000.
11:44OK.
11:45I was going to say £375,000.
11:47Well, this is actually on the market for offers over £370,000.
11:52OK.
11:53I won.
11:54You won.
11:55But no, that's a good price, I think, for this house.
11:57Yeah, that's really good.
11:58It's a lot of house.
11:59Yeah.
12:00I really like this space.
12:01Just, I can't get over how quiet it is.
12:03The birds are so loud here.
12:04Birds are so loud.
12:05Like that.
12:07Get them silent.
12:08The birds, the water.
12:10So loud, those birds.
12:13This songbird's paradise is on the market for offers over £370,000
12:18and comes with four bedrooms plus a reasonably sized flourishing garden.
12:24Views of the peaceful surroundings can be seen from every window
12:27and its village location puts Sabir at the heart of a thriving community.
12:33I really like the layout of the house with the kitchen and kind of the dining area downstairs
12:39and the reception area upstairs.
12:40I thought actually with the staircase, it's a perfect flow of the rooms.
12:44I can almost picture all the fairy lights around the staircase.
12:47I could absolutely see Sabir in this house.
12:50The way that it's being decorated and it is turnkey, like you could just walk in.
12:55It's a beautiful house.
12:56And the surrounding area, the village, it just all feels like it would be just perfect for her.
13:10Sabir is hopeful that her move to rural Scotland will allow for many adventures of the coast and countryside
13:17on offer here in Argyll and Butte.
13:20To facilitate that, she's chosen to base her search around the unofficial capital of the West Highlands, Oban.
13:27It's a lovely town.
13:29Oh, it's gorgeous, yeah, it's really lovely.
13:31Known by many as the Gateway to the Isles, Oban provides access to the surrounding islands and beyond.
13:37Because we've got the ferries, which will take you to the whole range of different islands,
13:43both only 30 minutes away, right up to going out to the Western Isles, which can be four or five
13:50hours.
13:51So it is a fantastic hub to start your travelling experience on the West Coast.
13:59Definitely has the West Coast way, which is laid back, rains a lot and kind of just,
14:04there's a slower way of life down here, which is really nice, I'm still adapting to it,
14:08but there's a real sense of community spirit around here in that kind of small town,
14:13but also just growing all the time.
14:17A local charity bringing people together here is Hope Kitchen,
14:21a place where anyone is welcome to join, volunteer or just pop by for some lunch and a chat.
14:31We host different community groups, like a craft group and things.
14:35So it's really a space for people to come in and belong to a community.
14:39Lots of people come in because they might be living on their own and they want to meet people.
14:45It's like one big happy family in here quite often.
14:48It's also a great place where people can be defined by their passions and not their problems,
14:54because one of the things that often happens is that people have problems
14:56and that's what they feel defines them.
14:58Whereas here we try and create a place where people can find out more about who they are
15:03and what they enjoy doing.
15:05That's amazing.
15:07One of Hope Kitchen's many successful projects is Green Shoots,
15:11a community walled garden, always keen to welcome newcomers.
15:16John Petty and Joe Heritage are both horticulturalists here.
15:20So tell us about the Green Shoots project.
15:22Well, it's for anybody in Oban to come along and get involved in gardening
15:27and other sort of green projects, woodwork projects and things like that.
15:32So it's not just about gardening, it's about people coming together to make friends and socialise.
15:37John's been running a project, they've built this entire kitchen.
15:40Amazing.
15:40So some people don't do any gardening at all and literally just come here and make things and create things.
15:46We let people explore their own sort of passions.
15:50That's brilliant, it's absolutely beautiful.
15:53Green Shoots attracts a range of volunteer numbers, from 5 up to 20 on a good weather day.
15:59And on today's agenda, weeding.
16:02Let's see how you get on.
16:04Great, thank you.
16:05The fruit and vegetables that are grown and nurtured here by the volunteers are then used in the New Hope
16:11Cafe kitchen,
16:12all helping to contribute towards a more sustainable community.
16:16So do you think this will be the kind of stuff that you'll be doing in your new garden?
16:19I think so. I think it's quite satisfying to be honest with you.
16:22And when you come to visit me, you can help me.
16:25I'll make the tea.
16:28Just the one passionate gardener among our sisters then.
16:31Well, we best get back to trying to find Sabia a garden to start growing in.
16:42For our second viewing, I'm throwing a slight curve ball and staying in the town of Oban,
16:48because high up in the hillside is this gem of a find.
16:52Good.
16:54Come on up.
16:57So this is a real change of gear.
17:00We're coming up to this very striking property with this amazing view.
17:05Oh, wow. Look at that.
17:07This is a really interesting property.
17:09It's from the 80s. It's not very old.
17:10But this is one where you're going to have to use your imagination going around,
17:13because the decor is really as it was in the 1980s.
17:17The potential here is something really special.
17:20OK.
17:20I'm quite happy to make changes.
17:22If the house itself really suits, then that's just something that you would do anyway to make it home.
17:28Yeah.
17:28Shall we have a look?
17:29Yep.
17:31Steps up to the front porch open into a large entrance hall,
17:35which leads through to the room I'd be spending all my time in.
17:40Come into the main event, which is this incredible room.
17:46Oh, wow.
17:47Oh, wow.
17:47Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
17:49With the picture window.
17:52Yeah, that is an amazing view.
17:55It's like a painting.
17:56So you can see the cathedral, and then the island, and then beyond the island is Mull with its one
18:01Monroe.
18:03And I could just sit back to that view all day long.
18:06Yes.
18:07Yeah, we're all slung by the view.
18:09Yeah.
18:09But this is a really lovely room.
18:11Yeah.
18:11It's very cosy.
18:12But you see what I mean about the decor?
18:14It's pretty much what it was in 1980, so...
18:16I think we used to have that wallpaper, didn't we?
18:17I was going to say, I think we did.
18:19Before you were growing up.
18:20I feel a sense of coming home.
18:24As the property sits on a hill, the rear of the house is on a split level, with a row
18:30of bedrooms to one end and the kitchen at the other.
18:33Oh, cute.
18:34I really like it.
18:35I like the wood, I like the beams.
18:37Probably could do with a fresh coat of paint, but...
18:40Yeah.
18:41It's a good-sized kitchen as well, actually.
18:43It feels a bit dark to me.
18:45I think it is a bit darker, and I think, in that case, maybe colouring the wood or something to
18:51make it lighter.
18:52But it's still a really nice cosy space, and I love this island right in the middle.
18:56Yeah, it is. It's lovely.
18:57And also, you know, you could easily replace all these frontages.
19:01Yes.
19:02But it seems like you quite like the old vibe.
19:04I do. I do like... I've always liked the old vibe.
19:08Along the landing from the kitchen is a family bathroom,
19:12a shower room and two double bedrooms,
19:15the larger of which is currently used as a guest bedroom.
19:19Oh, wow. Look at all that built-in wardrobe space.
19:22Wardrobe space as well.
19:24Again, you'd have to probably just redecorate.
19:26It's just all cosmetic stuff, really, isn't it?
19:29Back downstairs is a study, home to a fellow bookworm,
19:33and another bedroom serving as the principal.
19:38Another nice big room.
19:41And the views are amazing.
19:42Yeah.
19:42Imagine waking up to that in the morning.
19:44That's true.
19:45Have your cup of tea there.
19:46Yeah.
19:46Have your cup of tea in the sitting room as well.
19:49Have three cups of tea.
19:50Two more tea.
19:50Have as many cups of tea as you want.
19:53The back garden has a small patio and steps winding through the wilderness
19:58to reach a pretty impressive treetop hideout.
20:02Oh, goodness.
20:04It's like a forest trail.
20:06Yoo-hoo.
20:09I'm up here.
20:11Look.
20:13Oh, my goodness.
20:14Oh, wow.
20:15The present owner constructed this amazing Erie at the top of the hill behind the house.
20:21He's very proud of it.
20:22It's an amazing space and just a walk up.
20:25Yeah.
20:25You'll have thighs of steel if you lived here.
20:29That is a stunning view.
20:31Oh, amazing.
20:32I think it's magical here.
20:33It feels like literally a hermit's nest right up in the hills looking over the hustle and bustle of the
20:39town.
20:39It's a very interesting garden space.
20:41I think probably my only thoughts are, where would I be planting my veggies?
20:46All of this land behind the house is yours too.
20:48So you could level that out and put in some veggie patch.
20:52OK.
20:53OK, so the final piece of the puzzle is the price.
20:56Oh, this is a tough one.
20:58I'm going to go £390,000.
21:00£390,000.
21:02I was going to say it's probably the top of my budget, so I think probably £400,000.
21:06OK.
21:06You're both wrong, I'm afraid.
21:08This is on the market for £360,000 as a guidepost.
21:15OK.
21:16That's interesting.
21:17Well, that's surprising.
21:18I just felt because of the location in Oban, it would be more nearer my budget, but that's a nice
21:23surprise.
21:24Yeah.
21:26A guide price under budget should leave Sabia with some funds for any landscaping or cosmetic work.
21:33This detached property offers three bedrooms, a generous living room and a treetop retreat with coastal views.
21:41I think I was always kind of more on the side of Oban, but I don't think it's the right
21:46house for Sabia.
21:47I think she's looking for something that's more rural.
21:50I'm in two minds about being in Oban.
21:52I love the location of this property, but I'm not sure I want to be in a town.
21:57I don't think anyone can overestimate how beautiful and how stunning those views are.
22:02I mean, the fact that you can see mulls from your living room window, I mean, that's a huge, huge
22:06plus.
22:19Oh, down by the water's edge. Gorgeous here.
22:24Yes.
22:24How are you feeling after our first day?
22:27Really good. I think seeing the two houses definitely cemented some thinking for me.
22:33So, yeah, definitely a good day.
22:35You two are great house hunters together. You should do this as for a living.
22:38I mean, you don't actually see each other that often because you're in Ireland and you're in Edinburgh.
22:42So it feels like you, like, hang out all the time.
22:45We don't actually see each other that much.
22:47No.
22:47But we are just, we're just very close. We always have been.
22:50And I think we're just very, very similar minded.
22:53Similar viewpoints, not on everything.
22:54No.
22:55Not on everything. But like that, I think we talk so much that we kind of know what each other
23:00is looking for.
23:00And is it part of the move, like, about having a nice place where everyone can come and stay,
23:05can have families stay for long stretches of time?
23:07Yes, absolutely. And now that this move would be more of a forever home move,
23:12it does make me think about, I want space for my friends and family to come and stay for as
23:16long as they want.
23:17Because the weird thing is, when you move to the countryside, I experienced this,
23:20when you move to the countryside, you actually spend more quality time with your friends and family
23:24than when you were in the city, because people would come and then they'd go off and do stuff
23:27and you'd hardly ever see them.
23:28But actually, for me, the move to a more rural part of Scotland is to explore more of Scotland,
23:35you know, really delve into even more of the history of Scotland.
23:37I find that absolutely fascinating.
23:39Yeah. Well, it's all around us here.
23:41And this is the gateway to the Western Isles.
23:42So, yeah, well done for picking this part.
23:44So, yeah, no, really, really good day. Thank you so much.
23:47Ah, pleasure. Well, we've got the Mystery House tomorrow.
23:49Yes, all very exciting.
23:51Shall we get in? We've done well with the weather, but it feels like it might be closing in.
23:54So let's not tempt fate.
23:56Go on.
24:15If you're chasing that Scottish sea breeze too, here are the latest facts and figures on the property market.
24:21The average price for a detached home in Scotland is currently just over £345,000.
24:29And despite all its beauty, the region of Argyle and Bute offers better value,
24:35with an average price of just under £296,000.
24:44Across the West Coast, in this stunning landscape, are a range of charming properties for sale.
24:51Such as this end of terrace form a slate miner's cottage.
24:55With two bedrooms and a homely living room, it's on the market for offers over £150,000.
25:05If your budget is bigger, a guide price of £580,000 might land you this detached, spacious and sleek new
25:14build, with five bedrooms.
25:16It sits on a plot of just under half an acre, with views to boot.
25:22Or if you just fancy a Scottish weekend getaway, this self-catered thatched cottage is in a tranquil setting on
25:29the shores of Loch Nell.
25:32Complete with a cosy kitchen living room and two bedrooms, dogs are welcome here too.
25:38Prices range from £150 to £250 per night.
25:45So what has Argyle and Bute got in store for us?
25:48Well, it's got the Mystery House.
25:50And the Mystery House is going to bring a little bit of...
25:55Island magic.
25:57Our last adventure together takes us about a 40-minute drive south of Oban to the Isle of Seale,
26:04and into the village of Eleanor Beich, where I'm revealing the beginning of our magical mystery tour.
26:11Look at it all. Isn't it great?
26:13Oh, it's beautiful. I love... I love terrains like this.
26:17Do you? Yes.
26:18Well, that's good.
26:19Because we're brought to you here for a purpose.
26:21The next thing I'm going to suggest might be a little bit of a curveball,
26:26because the property we want to show you is on this island...
26:30Oh!
26:31...of Ysdale.
26:33Brilliant.
26:34How do you feel about living on an island?
26:36I know that wasn't top of your wishlist.
26:38To be honest, it's always been on the top of my wishlist.
26:41Okay, it's not been on the top of your wishlist.
26:43Yes.
26:43So you don't need to worry.
26:45Okay.
26:45How do we get across?
26:46It's a two-minute crossing.
26:48Oh!
26:49And it goes every half-hour through the day, so you'll always get across.
26:53I'm keeping an open mind, Alice.
26:55Keeping an open mind.
26:56Very good.
26:56Your sister will be so happy.
26:58It's really beautiful.
26:59It's definitely the kind of place that I would want to be.
27:03Don't listen to her.
27:05Shall we go and get on the boat?
27:07Yes.
27:07Let's do it.
27:08Come, come, come.
27:10Only about 200 metres from the mainland, it's just a short journey at sea to reach the island.
27:17Oh, I'm excited!
27:18I'm very excited.
27:20This definitely beats traffic jams and motorways.
27:23Do you think your kids would do this?
27:25Oh, I'd love it.
27:26Yeah.
27:26Yeah.
27:27We wouldn't.
27:28Yeah, exactly.
27:28It would be a proper holiday, wouldn't it?
27:30Yeah, it really would be.
27:31Come and see Aunt Sibir.
27:32Yeah.
27:33So much.
27:34Yeah.
27:37Easdale Island was once the centre of the Scottish slate mining industry, with up to seven active quarries,
27:44shaping its economy and community for nearly three centuries.
27:48But since commercial quarrying ended in 1911, nature has been left to reclaim the landscape here.
27:55This is your commute.
27:58I just love it.
28:00The foot ferry is run by the local council and departs at regular intervals throughout the day.
28:05Thank you so much.
28:07Thanks so much.
28:09Apart from the ferryman's lunch break, of course.
28:12And talking of lunch, how do you carry your food shopping, I hear you ask?
28:20What's this?
28:21It's a barrow park, because there's no roads on the island.
28:25Right.
28:25So you come with your shopping, put it in a barrow, push it to your house.
28:29What is that?
28:30That's fantastic.
28:31Isn't it great?
28:32That's adorable.
28:33That's such a great idea.
28:34How are you feeling about being on the island?
28:35Oh, I love it.
28:36I really love it.
28:37It's exciting, right?
28:37It is very exciting.
28:39How about you, Yasmin?
28:40Yeah, it's great.
28:40It's like an adventure.
28:42That's the attitude.
28:44Ah, perhaps the island is already working its magic on Yasmin.
28:48Sabir is certainly enchanted, and so am I.
28:52The island is currently home to just over 50 residents who make up the small but welcoming community.
28:59Everyone's very, very friendly here.
29:01You know, you can go for a walk around the island and you can get stopped by 10, 15 people
29:07and you all love your little catch-ups, and it's a really, really helpful community.
29:11And you can choose to be a big part of that or you can kind of step back and just
29:15get involved
29:15in what you want to.
29:17Came off the ferry at nine o'clock at night and fell in love with Eastdale.
29:21And by the end of the week's holiday, I'd bought a cottage and moved back nine weeks
29:25later.
29:26And I don't regret any of it.
29:28There's a village hall, which is host to a range of events and activities, including
29:34the annual World Stone Skimming Championships, attracting a wealth of visitors every September.
29:39There's a small pub occupying two old quarrier's cottages and local museums sharing the history
29:46and culture of island life.
29:48Just a stone's skim away is our mystery house.
29:52Oh, so exciting.
29:55This could be the one.
29:57Oh, gosh.
29:58This is so pretty.
30:00Oh, wow.
30:02Look at that view.
30:03Yes.
30:04Oh, it's idyllic.
30:06Do you think it could work?
30:07Could you imagine living here?
30:08Yes.
30:09So easily.
30:10So easily.
30:12Are you asking what do you reckon?
30:13Yeah, it's gorgeous.
30:14Gorgeous location.
30:15You're being swayed.
30:17Possibly.
30:17Maybe.
30:18You know, the novelty might wear her off after a little bit.
30:23I don't know.
30:24No.
30:24She's shaking her head.
30:26I don't think so.
30:28I think it's just idyllic.
30:30The house is gorgeous.
30:31It's probably exactly what I was looking for from the outside anyway.
30:34Very good.
30:34Shall we have a look inside?
30:35Yes, please.
30:36Let's see if the dream continues.
30:40Built only two years ago, this house was constructed with structural insulated panels.
30:45And the finished walls are over 200 millimetres thick.
30:50An air source heat pump feeds the underfloor heating and a heat recovery ventilation system,
30:57installed in the loft, contributes to its great energy efficiency.
31:03So we'll start in the sitting room.
31:06Oh dear.
31:07So the dimensions of this house is a bit smaller.
31:11But it's incredibly well made.
31:15What do you think of the inside?
31:17Yeah, very clean, very pristine.
31:19I love these floors.
31:21Yasmin, what are you thinking?
31:22I think it's lovely.
31:23I do think it's a little bit small.
31:24But it's got a lovely feel to it.
31:26And again, it's really snug and warm.
31:27Yeah.
31:27This is the kitchen.
31:28So you two go and look in the kitchen.
31:30Yes, it is a very small kitchen.
31:33It's so cute.
31:34I love the wood.
31:35It's beautiful.
31:36It's really nicely done.
31:37Yeah, it's like a little country kitchen.
31:40It may be on the smaller side, but this property certainly packs a punch.
31:48The single-storey layout includes a family shower room and three bedrooms,
31:53one single, a double with characterful built-in wardrobes,
31:58and another to the front of the house.
32:00Oh, this is another double size.
32:03It's got a lovely view.
32:04Oh, that's an amazing view, yeah.
32:05Yeah.
32:05I would definitely get a decent amount of bookcases in this room.
32:09Yeah.
32:10Bookcase, bookcase, bookcase.
32:12Yeah.
32:13Happy days.
32:14Yep.
32:15To the back of the house is a utility space,
32:18which leads into a well-placed sunroom.
32:21Ooh, lovely.
32:23Oh, this is so cute.
32:24Oh, this is so nice.
32:26You'll sit out here and have a cup of coffee.
32:28Yes.
32:28And it's so quiet.
32:29Even in winter, I think it would be lovely to sit out here.
32:31Yeah.
32:33The house sits on a wraparound plot of around 500 square metres,
32:37with the front and back garden almost mirrored in size.
32:41Small flower beds and bushes attract plenty of wildlife,
32:45and there's also a small pond.
32:48Ooh, tadpoles.
32:52But it's not just this plot that we're here to see,
32:55because our mystery house also comes with an elevated piece of land to the back.
33:01Currently overgrown, it's only accessible via a short but glorious walk,
33:05and out here there is so much potential.
33:11Amazing.
33:12And even more amazing, all of this, right up to the border with the neighbour there,
33:18that's all your land.
33:19It's huge.
33:20It's huge.
33:20It is huge.
33:22It's unexpected.
33:23Yeah.
33:23I think you could build a house up here.
33:24We could certainly build a really nice office, or guest room.
33:28Mm.
33:29I'm stunned.
33:30We weren't expecting that.
33:31And then look at the views this way.
33:33Oh, that's...
33:33Oh.
33:33So you'd be, like, gardening with this all around you.
33:37Yeah, I'm speechless.
33:38So how much do you think you would have to pay to get this plot,
33:43and the house, and these views?
33:44Offers over 320,000.
33:47Okay.
33:48I was going to say 325.
33:50So this is a guide price of £5 shy of £300,000.
33:56Oh, wow.
33:57Okay.
33:58But it would definitely give you a lot of money to play around with
34:01if you were up for the challenge.
34:04Yeah, it would definitely be a long-term project, for sure.
34:07Yeah.
34:08But this location is just so idyllic.
34:11It really is.
34:12Is this what you were dreaming of?
34:14Yes.
34:16This newly built eco-friendly home is well below budget,
34:20at just under £300,000, giving Sabir scope to get creative
34:24with its generous plot of land.
34:27There are three bedrooms with room for those bookcases,
34:30idyllic views from every aspect, and, best of all,
34:34it's on an island.
34:37When I found out the Mystery House is an island,
34:40I got really excited, because that's kind of always been my dream.
34:44I think the location is beautiful, I think the island is beautiful,
34:48it was great fun coming across on the boat,
34:49but I think that the house might just not be right for Sabir,
34:52because of its size.
34:53I definitely see myself living on an island.
34:56I think just being here and experiencing it has just really made me realise
35:00this is exactly the kind of spot, place that I'd like to be,
35:03so it's just a question of finding the right property.
35:13Big moves are often about timing.
35:16Sometimes it can take a while for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together,
35:20but when they do, it can be the best decision you ever make.
35:23Hi, I'm Amanda, that's Neil, and that's our collie Angus.
35:29Last year, Sussex-born and bred Amanda, along with her husband Neil,
35:34moved nearly 600 miles north to this Scottish croft on the edge of Loch Crearen.
35:41Never in a million years did we think we'd be able to find somewhere
35:46that actually has its own shorefront.
35:50Trading the commute for quad bikes,
35:53Amanda and Neil have been renovating their 19th-century new home
35:57and now spend their days off tending to their chickens
36:00and managing their new land.
36:04It's been just over a year since Amanda and Neil
36:07relocated to the Scottish countryside,
36:09so I'm very keen to find out how they're getting on.
36:14Hi, good morning, guys. Hello.
36:16Hi.
36:17You're standing here so wonderful.
36:18Lovely to meet you.
36:18I hit your postcard.
36:20What an amazing spot.
36:22Yes.
36:23So great.
36:24Very lucky, it's beautiful.
36:25Because you've got the woodland as well?
36:27Yeah, yeah, we've got about seven acres of woodland behind
36:30and then we've got some shorefront as well with salt marsh.
36:33We knew we wanted some land because I really wanted to get some animals
36:36and we just thought we're not going to get water as well, you know,
36:39and when we saw this, we were like, no more renovations.
36:43We had done five renovations in our...
36:46...over the last 30 years.
36:47Five renovations and we were like, no more, but we saw this plot
36:50and really it was all about the plot.
36:53That was the most important thing for us.
36:55They do say you can't change the location but you can change the house.
36:59Exactly, yeah.
37:00But I would love to...
37:00While we're down here, I'd love to go to the Water's Edge.
37:02Yes, yes.
37:11This is amazing, you've got your own loch.
37:14Well, I'm not sure about that but we're very fortunate to be by the side of it.
37:18But you have this sort of beachfront.
37:20Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:21And this kind of keys into your ecology work.
37:24Yeah, yeah, yeah.
37:25My background is as an ecologist but I do a lot of work on these sorts of salt marsh systems
37:30that we have here
37:31which are our sort of intertidal habitat.
37:33We're very fortunate.
37:34The beachfront here has got a lot of salt marsh vegetation on it.
37:38If we look at the carbon side of things, they're so important.
37:42They can draw down ten times more carbon than tropical rainforests.
37:47So this sort of modest sort of seaside landscape draws down ten times more than a...
37:52Yeah.
37:53Oh, so you hit pay dirt when you came here because you've got rainforest up there
37:57and you've got like your sequestering carbon down here.
38:01What more could you want?
38:02Yeah, yeah, very much so, very much so.
38:04No, we're very, very blessed, very fortunate.
38:06What sort of wildlife do you get here?
38:08Well, Amanda was the one who got the first shot of an otter.
38:12Yes.
38:13Like sea otters?
38:13I was on a dog walk just over there.
38:16Was it doing its leg thing on its back?
38:18Yes!
38:18I love it down here.
38:21Since Amanda quit her job to make the move up here,
38:23she's been able to concentrate on the house renovations while Neil is at work.
38:29And having revamped five previous properties,
38:33it's no surprise she's a bit of an expert.
38:39Oh, Amanda, this is amazing.
38:40It's like I've walked into a social media account.
38:43So beautiful.
38:44Yeah, no, I'm really pleased with it actually.
38:46We've just recently done this room.
38:49The sink was over there and I thought it's got to be there and all those lovely views,
38:54which change every day.
38:57Yes.
38:57So let's talk about the massiveness of it.
38:59You move up here, the movers drive away and then you're like, what?
39:05What was the feeling?
39:06I was like, what have I done?
39:08I've lived in Sussex my whole life.
39:10It was just such a massive change and we're quite rural as well.
39:14I felt quite lonely and isolated at certain times.
39:17But as time has gone on, you know, it's becoming easy.
39:21You're meeting more people, you're going out, you're doing more.
39:24And the village have been so friendly.
39:26Looking back over this first year, is there anything you would have done differently?
39:29No, I don't think so.
39:31It was a really scary move.
39:33But hand on heart, I can honestly say I'm glad we've done it.
39:38Because we always thought, we never know.
39:40If we don't do it, we never know.
39:43Ah, that's a life motto I think we should all live by more often.
39:47And now to see if we'll have another escapee who will take that leap of faith
39:52and make the move here to Argyllum Butte.
40:01The sun is still shining, so I thought we'd stay on Easdale Island a little longer
40:05so I can pick Sabia and Yasmin's mind about how this week has gone,
40:10which houses are really singing to them.
40:12And it gives us an excuse to sit on the beach for just a little longer.
40:20Well, this is a nice way to end the week, isn't it?
40:23It's a beautiful way.
40:24Wow, Scotland has really delivered.
40:27Has it delivered to you?
40:29How are you feeling about the whole house search?
40:31I'm feeling really positive.
40:33Oh, good.
40:33This was actually the first time I've actually looked at properties
40:36and it's really helped to solidify my mind and my heart, what I'm looking for.
40:42I think just being here has been really wonderful
40:45and I've really got a feel for the island and talking to some of the locals
40:50and I really, really like it.
40:52Yay!
40:53And Yasmin, what do you feel has happened on this week of house hunting for your sister?
40:57My favourite of the houses was definitely house number one
41:01because I think the house fitted what she's looking for.
41:04I think the island is beautiful.
41:08She's not going to like the island.
41:11Well, I suppose for my lifestyle with the family, it wouldn't suit,
41:15but it's just going to be Sabia.
41:17So, you know, it would suit her perfectly.
41:20And even having spoken to the locals and, you know, getting a real feel for community life here,
41:25it just seems amazing.
41:26What are the next steps for you?
41:29Ideal scenario would be to find something on Eastdale that really suits me.
41:33I'm not the kind of person that would waver if I found something that was perfect on this island.
41:37I don't think I'd hesitate.
41:39So if that happens, that would be absolutely brilliant.
41:42Yeah, amazing.
41:43Well, I really, really hope that you do.
41:45I'm a bit of a hermit too, so I've always been on your side.
41:49So I really do hope you do find somewhere.
41:51And please let us know because we'd love to come and visit.
41:53That would be wonderful.
41:54And everyone's been so fantastic this weekend, so thank you to everyone.
42:04Now this is my happy place, sitting on a pile of slate, a beautiful Scottish coastline with seabirds above my
42:13head.
42:14And I think it could also be Sabia's happy place too.
42:17And I think regardless of whether Yasmin has to come with her children on a boat,
42:22even if they have to camp in the garden, I think she should follow that dream
42:25and find herself a slice of beautiful Scottish nature to call her own.
42:31So I hope that happens.
42:32And I hope that you join us next time for more Escape to the Country.
42:37I am so pleased to say that Sabia did find her dream cottage on our mystery island
42:42and has not long moved in.
42:45I cannot wait to visit her on Eastdale, wheelbarrows at the ready.
42:49If you'd also like to escape to the country in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland or Wales,
42:54why not apply online at bbc.co.uk forward slash take part.
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