Finding our Homestead in the Highlands

Rachel Alvey-Anderson and her family make their dream come true

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Every morning when I step outside, nothing comes close to the happiness I feel. Looking around at mountains and pine trees come rain, shine or snow I can't help but smile because I'm home, a feeling I have never had before, and at age 45 it's never too late to find your happy ending.

Our adventure started in Northamptonshire, England. I had an overwhelming feeling that had been by my side for years, I was feeling lost. Feeling unmotivated. Living the rat race. I was browsing my phone searching for houses and stumbled upon a house on an island in the Scottish highlands. The view was incredible with wide open spaces, surrounded by nature.

I was feeling excited. I like to jump before I've had time to think and the thrill of an adventure was sparked somewhere deep inside, so I sent the link over to my husband. He's the complete opposite to me and doesn't like change, I definitely wasn't expecting him to agree and suddenly, just like that, our new life began that day.

During the summer of 2018 we talked a lot about moving home. With such a big decision ahead of us we had to figure out what we all wanted as a family from the move, so we asked our children to make a list, and we did the same.

As a family of six and with my son in his final school year, we chose to wait for him to finish his exams, so that gave us two years to plan. Two of our children are homeschooled meaning we needed a supportive homeschool community around us, and we soon found out that my husband wasn't allowed to work from home. Jobs can play a big role in a decision to move. This came as a shock and suddenly it felt like our new life was on hold, but after some brainstorming we realized it was time for a new job, because if you want your dream badly enough you make it happen!