Simon I agree with most of what you say and am happy that you plan to add to the gene pool. My comments regarding property prices are not aimed at any particular group and in fact "incomers" here probably only have a limited effect on the local market. However I consider that the gross inflation in house prices locally and in UK in general is a very dangerous bubble, which few seem to recognise yet. It is driven in many ways but mostly related to the easy availability of money. The end effect is obvious - "inflation" will readjust the "market". Since the local economy never really booms and never really busts Orkney will likely not be hurt so badly as the rest of UK. However the long term failure of government and industry to invest in infrastucture (such as roads and railways) will mean that much of UK will be poorly placed to recover from the crash when and if it comes. I also believe that this will be bad for UK as a country in that Scotland will quite probably divest itself of England at some point. I am strongly against such a thing, but I do think that Scotland is entirely viable on its own. Yes but photos need light.