One thing that has surprised me is that flats & houses are mostly to let unfurnished. I don’t know where I got the expectation that they would be furnished, and one or two are, but for the most part I will be buying everything. That is both exciting and terrifying. The closest Ikea is Glasgow or Edinburgh (I’m not counting the Pick-Up location at Aberdeen) and I dread to think what the delivery fees are to the islands. I would love to go all Ikea – I’ve been watching Nick Lewis, Lone Fox, and Alexandra Gater on YouTube and I can really see an all-Ikea apartment. I think there is an Argos Pick-Up unit in Kirkwall, so most likely that is what I will be relying on. While I’m staying with my uncle in Lanarkshire, I can go to Ikea (it’s almost all nice, easy multi-lane from his place to the store), and buy as much as will fit in the car for the drive north – a car which will also have a medium-sized dog, 3 or 4 suitcases, and a new-to-this-side-of-the-road driver who will need all her sightlines as clear as possible.
Elaine, I have a slightly different vision: all driftwood furniture. I am sure the beaches must have a treasure trove of aged, interesting pieces you can fashion into quixotic decorating statements. Just think, the only things you need to pack in the car for the trip north is a good chainsaw, some screws and a hammer and nails.
David
That won’t be at all scary for my new landlord: a commute-frazzled stranger with a chainsaw sticking out of the car window, asking for the keys to the house. 🙂
Probably easiest to pick up your Ikea furniture in Sweden from where you’ll be. Just borrow a boat. 😛