making the move ?

[weeknee]

Has anyone immigrated to Scotland from afar? Im interested in gathering some info. I know ferners are'nt very popular right now, but still interested. Thanx.

[McClef]

I should point out that as things currently stand, one immigrates to the UK as a whole and not just Scotland.

Having said that there was a recent series shown on the BBC called An Island Parish about life on the island of Barra and one or two of the other Outer Hebrides in which an American lady went through a citizenship ceremony.

How you might access the series though I am not sure.

[cessna152towser]

I know ferners are'nt very popular right now

Well there have been a few unfortunate cases of serious crimes committed by a very small minority of the large number of recent immigrants from Eastern Europe, but generally immigrants are made very welcome in Scotland.
Most of the people currently immigrating to Scotland are economic migrants from the former Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe who now have freedom of residence since their home countries joined the European Economic Community.
There is a strong Pakistani community in the Glasgow area, such that until recently justified direct non-stop flights between Glasgow and Pakistan, which only ended as a result of their fares being undercut by one stop flights via Dubai.
There is also an established Arab community in the north-east of Scotland around the Aberdeen and Dundee areas who originally came to Scotland from the Arab oil countries through the North Sea oil industry, indeed I have recently been dating a Lebanese lady from this community.
Edinburgh also has an international community, not only tourists but also people working in IT and banking.
So Scotland, especially its main cities, is now a multi-racial, multi-cultural and cosmopolitan country which welcomes immigrants.
You will however find relatively few who have been raised in Canada or USA and then made the choice to move to Scotland, the perception is that there are better economic prospects in North America.

[Guinness>water]

I'm anxious to see what everyone(especially the Scots) have to say about this. I plan on moving(once retired) to Mull or another island and living a very simple, low key life. It wouldnt bother me one bit to chase sheep around in the heather all day for the next twenty or thirty years.

[Jock Scot]

Be our guest and you will be welcome. However, you will need to take off any rose tinted spectacles as far as facilities are concerned------I have to drive thirty miles for a newspaper, for example. The Highland Scot is a very courteous and welcoming sort although they do prefer to keep a low profile. Most are surprisingly indifferent to their history and tartans, on a day to day basis, although when you get to know them they have wonderful stories to tell of their past. If you are a shooting, fishing, outdoor type that will help open doors more quickly, but don't rush it!

The best advice I can give you, as in all things in life and particularly in the Highlands and Islands is:-

HURRY SLOWLY and in the the Highlands and Islands make that---VERY SLOWLY. Think in terms of MANY years and not in terms of months.

[Tobus]

I was looking into this a few months ago, mainly for entertainment value. The rules on immigrating to the UK are very complex and difficult. For starters, it seems that they grant priority to people coming from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Immigrating from North America is much more difficult since we have no hardships or reason for asylum.

The costs are outrageous, too. But I suppose that's true of any country. I know it ain't cheap to immigrate to the USA, for instance.

They have a weird points-based system and different 'tiers' of migrant status that are incredibly hard to comprehend. Last time I checked, I could easily get the points needed, but my wife would have a hard time.

This is a good place to start: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

[slohairt]

I was looking into this a few months ago, mainly for entertainment value. The rules on immigrating to the UK are very complex and difficult. For starters, it seems that they grant priority to people coming from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Immigrating from North America is much more difficult since we have no hardships or reason for asylum.

The costs are outrageous, too. But I suppose that's true of any country. I know it ain't cheap to immigrate to the USA, for instance.

They have a weird points-based system and different 'tiers' of migrant status that are incredibly hard to comprehend. Last time I checked, I could easily get the points needed, but my wife would have a hard time.

This is a good place to start: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

It's worth pointing out that it is far easier for Canadians to emigrate to the UK than it is for Americans. As Commonwealth citizens we (and probably some of the Caribbean states/territories as well) have different rules and/restrictions. So, different rules for different parts of North America.

DISCLAIMER: I'm no immigration lawyer! Also, the point is moot for me anyway as an Irish citizen!

[Jock Scot]

Gosh I did not think of that! Thank you Tobus for pointing out the official "hurdles" to leap and "hoops" to jump through first!I suspect those obstacles are there from any country that we may wish to reside in, other than our own.

[Woot22]

Last time I was in Scotland there was a program to get people with skilled degrees to move back to Scotland. Particularly if it were a graduate degree and even more so if it was in engineering and other sciences. So if you have a highly skilled job you are qualified for I think it may help. I can not for the life of my find the website with all the information on it but here is another one that may still be useful to you.

http://www.talentscotland.com/

[BozemanboB]

It doesn't look to be an easy thing to do, but I'd move in a minute if I thought I could make it work. But my wife has no desire whatsoever and I don't know how to get over that hurdle.

The thought of learning Scottish fiddle from Scottish fiddlers ... makes my head spin!