We've just about completed our location scouting, and decided that Highland Perthshire is the place for us, specifically around the Aberfeldy-Pitlochy-Dunkeld triangle. Glen Lyon is a beautiful valley just up from the head of Loch Tay, and we've seen a few plots/development opportunities. The most recent one was just about perfect, we reckon. It has about 20 acres of land, an old partially-converted steading (which would become our home), a 2 bedroom cottage (which would become the beginning of Jan's self-catering empire), and an outdoor swimming pool! (Oh, and a sauna, but we'd ditch that)
The Scottish legal system works in the favour of the seller. It works like an auction, with sealed bids from interested buyers. However, since the housing market is currently dead, buyers have more power. We therefore did what most buyers are doing at the moment and made an offer, just like the English system. Rejected. Another offer... rejected. A final offer.... "Yes", the seller said. "We would accept your offer at that price...." (hurray) "...
but we're not going to. We're going to let it go to a closing date (i.e. auction)."
Unbelievable!
So we withdrew our offer, as we're neither willing nor able to take part in an auction, for various reasons. Shame to see this property go, but there'll be others.
On the other hand, Jan and I have both been working at a local cafe to get experience before opening our own place next year. Great fun and very educational.
Especially pleased about the espresso machine and a bit gutted to be putting it in storage but it needs a special type of electricity supply and also needs plumbing in, so I can't use it at home. Tough work lugging around things like fridges, a jumbo electric griddle, and a panini grill that weighed like it was made from gold. Jan is a strong little lass! 
