Run to the hills?

[Red Doe]

I would say so Janso, yes. A small group of folks applying what knowledge they have of a smallholding type of set up (we used to have here, what the traditional French excel at...small parcels of land given to kitchen crops, hens, pig, housecow etc) and coupled with learning how to forage both the land and the shore, rivers and sea, can survive very well indeed. The reason that isn`t happening now is entirely tied up with law and economic land use....but given free rein about one`s local area, or free ranging in the countryside as a whole, without rich landowners doing the "Get orf my lahnd" rubbish, then the Scottish countryside is more than capapable of supporting a reasonable population again. The Lowlands is generally more suited to agriculture, the Highlands, livestock, but both areas are fine and productive for smallholding and crofting.

[diamond lil]

Absolutely. Miles and miles and MILES of empty land, loads of water ( too much bloody water) and given dry warm clothes and housing, people could live & thrive. The great killers in the past were TB and pneumonia - both can be overcome with decent dry housing.
RD, do you know how to cut & stack peat ?

[Red Doe]

I do Lil, but age and health means I can`t do it anymore. This croft has peat cutting rights but the peat bog is miles away with no car-driveable road (and I don`t have a car anyway)
In the past folks used ponies to bring back the peat, now they use wheelbarrows and tractors.

[janso]

Well it seems my dreams of living in Scotland may come true then!! I have seriously considered it a few times but family says no.

I may have to start forming a 'Plan B/ C' on the basis of relocating to Scotland, avoiding population centres and main routes. Hmmm, straight away I feel the need of acquiring a seaworthy vessel from penzance harbour to fort william!!!

RD, i think I may be applying for residency in your area!! At the very least I'm able to cut peat!!

Not too infringe on RD or Lil, but considering a BOL in Scotland is quickly becoming a concrete idea that many of us should start considering based on the facts and the friendly, local knnowledge that is bein posted??

[diamond lil]

Scotland is empty, apart from the central belt. Tons of room. I suppose the weather is a downside, but its not so very terrible and most of Orkney is English now, so if they can live way up there then you tough survivalists can live on the mainland no bother Get Google earth up and have a wander around . Or go here and have a good long look. And when you come up, BRING SWEETIES.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/

[jansman]

There has to be a plan B. However,our plan A is to stay put.I am fortunate enough to own a second home-100 miles away.Getting there is slow at the best of times,so in a crisis I think it would be nigh on impossible,especially if fuel were tight.Our primary residence is well stocked with sustainable heating and well water.Gvt. Policy is for the population to stay put where possible- if there was a crisis, a lRge movement of refugees is another layer of problems for the PTB.make no mistake,leaving home with no firm destination makes you a REFUGEE.Throughout history refugees have never fared well at the hands of Gvt.Lil made a point about surviving Scottish weather-I would not want to try Winter in England!I certainly know that my Wife and Daughters would not fancy living under a tarpaulin in the middle of January. We do have kit outside to sustain ourselves- on our own land if the house goes,using outbuildings and alternative heating.then we have in-laws,and then we make our way to the other house.But that is last resort.like other members here,I am more comfortable on my own patch,I know my way round,especially where fish and game are concerned.Thanks for putting up with my rambling thoughts,the whole subject of bugging out has been on my mind for some time-but I feel comfortable with my conclusions.I hope there is food for thought there.

[Carrot Cruncher]

Some good points there jansman.

As I mentioned earlier I have a plan A, B, and C but there is a major flaw in my plans that I haven't totally worked out yet. Plan A is to stay put and plan B is to bug out in the Campervan to a secluded spot. The problem I have (which could be the same for many people) is that if it becomes apparent that staying put is not the best option, it may well be too late (congestion/road blocks etc) to use plan B which is the Campervan

From where I live I cant access the back roads for a couple of miles and also not without travelling through a couple of choke points. It's a difficult one and i'm not sure there is an easy answer.

[diamond lil]

The more we pool ideas and talk it out, the more we learn and sometimes you see things from a different viewpoint. Nothing is ever set in stone, is it... roads might open or close, we might move house, we might win the lottery and buy a shooting estate and loch up in Torridon...

[jansman]

I cannot stress-out about this subject anymore.There are some things in life you have to just hope for the best.After all,when was the last time there was a mass evacuation of the general population in the uk?

[Carrot Cruncher]

No need or point in stressing out, but it is good to discuss the various options. I've never had to evacuate from my home....but I my house has never burnt down either but I still have home and contents insurance