RELOCATING TO SCOTLAND

INTRODUCTION
Deciding to relocate is a big decision for you as you may be leaving the comfort of your job and where you live presently. On the plus side you may be relocating back home or you may be choosing a new life in Scotland. Whatever your reasons you need to be sure that you are committed to the move once you have decided to start searching for jobs.

Whether you're relocating on your own, or with a family, it helps if there's someone already here who can help you with the transition however there are several relocation experts that can help you if you need any further assistance. They can act as your agents to identify property, local schools and organise travel arrangements if necessary.

2M Careers have helped several candidates to relocate previously and we aim to make your relocation that little bit less stressful by being able to search for ideal career positions for you in the chosen area you are relocating to.

Looking for a job from a distance is not easy as you may be unfamiliar with the local market, salaries and generally what there is out there for you. By contacting us we will be able to give you honest advice on the market relevant to you. You may have to take a drop on salary however this varies and would obviously depend on where you were relocating from and to, living costs may be less for you in Scotland.

Once you have decided to look for a new job and we have discussed in detail everything you are looking for we will proceed by finding suitable companies that will be of interest to you and you to them. Try to keep some long weekends available so that we can try to arrange several interviews for you on the Friday or Monday, as this will limit the amount of time you would need to travel up for. It is usually better to try to allow us to conduct your job search while you are still working as employers tend to find that more desirable, however this is not essential.

Employers are always more interested if they feel you are committed so they expect you to travel to meet with them where possible. Once you have found the job that you wish to take then the rest is up to you.

Don't expect an employer to cover your relocation costs, it is unlikely to happen unless you are much more qualified than local candidates and they only do this in exceptional circumstances.

We are here to help you as much as we can, and we will point you in the right direction for help that we cannot assist you with. We will aim to find the right job for you and work closely with you to ensure that it is as hassle free as possible.

Below you will find some brief information on Scotland and the 6 cities in Scotland. If you require any additional information on areas then please feel free to ask and we will see if we can assist you.

SCOTLAND
Scotland is a small, North European country of around 79,000 square kilometres with just over five million people living in Scotland. Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but it has its own parliament and therefore its own way of doing things.

In Scotland there are six fantastic cities - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling - as well as many other large town and villages, all linked by air, road, rail and ferry.

Scotland has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world - mountains, islands, lochs and beaches. From magnificent glens and peaceful lochs to exciting concerts and thriving city nightlife, Scotland offers an unrivalled range of things to see and do. Scotland has some of the world's greatest golf courses and stunning mountain walks.

Scotland is a fantastic place to live and work and has lots to offer and promises excellent quality of life whether you like life in a busy, cosmopolitan city or a quiet rural village.

The country boasts international airports at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Prestwick in Ayrshire, as well as several regional airports. There are also good rail and road links across the country, and an exceptional range of visitor attractions.

ABERDEEN
Aberdeen, also known as the "Granite City", named after the sparkling silver granite used in its buildings is to the north east of Scotland. Aberdeen has a population of 202,370 and covers an area of 184.47 square kilometres (71.22 square miles).

There are several shopping malls, a wide variety of entertainment and leisure amenities, and a vibrant arts scene, Aberdeen is a major retail, leisure and cultural centre.

According to studies Aberdeen has consistently been rated as one of the most desirable cities in the UK in which to live and work.

The city came to life in the late 1960s after the first oil strike in the North Sea and unemployment levels dropped to one of the lowest levels in the UK. But is not just a city filled with oil and gas companies - the city is full of old fashioned charm and character, history and tradition, making it an attractive place to live.

The transport infrastructure is being massively improved with a new bypass now approved with the target date for completion of 2010. Currently there are first rate road, rail, sea and air links ensuring that the city is not isolated.

DUNDEE
North of Edinburgh across the Firth of Forth is the Kingdom of Fife, then Perthshire, Angus and Dundee. Here you'll find the Home of Golf, Saint Andrew's, a beautiful old university town on the windswept east coast.

Dundee is Scotland's fourth largest city and is a vibrant and modern city with a current population of approximately 145,000 this rises to 300,000 people within a 30-minute drive time of Dundee City Centre and 628,500 reside within a one-hour commuting distance. Dundee City Council area covers 26 square miles and is geographically the smallest local authority area in Scotland. It is bordered by Perth and Kinross to the west.

Dundee is set by the River Tay on one of Europe's most impressive geographic locations and there is a £270 million waterfront development to reconnect Dundee city centre with the Tay.

Dundee is located within 90 minutes drive of 90% of Scotland's population and it has excellent road and rail networks and Dundee airport is only 2 miles from the city centre and has daily services to London City Airport proving a popular commuting option.

EDINBURGH
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is home to the new Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle, and has well known shopping areas in Princes Street and the Royal Mile. It has a population of over 460,000 which increases to over 1 million during the festival in August.

The city is rich in cultural heritage and boasts several activities for people of all ages. It is home to some of the best galleries and museums in the UK.

In the middle of the city you will come across Arthur's Seat which is an extinct volcano which is now used as a public park. Princes Street Gardens are also situated in the city centre which boasts the world's oldest floral clock.

Within the city you'll find small 'villages', each with its own individual character and village-like vibe. These 'villages' are surprisingly close to the city centre ranging from 5 to 20 minutes walk.

Close to Edinburgh, yet away from the bustle of the capital, you will find East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, all of which are commutable to Edinburgh city centre.

Every summer the city hosts the annual Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe Festival and the Military Tattoo.

In addition Edinburgh is a booming financial centre, and is the second largest financial centre outside of London. Edinburgh has a vibrant nightlife, and hosts the biggest New Year street party in the world that attracts up to 250,000 visitors from across the World.

Edinburgh was also recently voted the best city in Scotland to eat out by the Which? Good Food Guide 2007.

GLASGOW
Glasgow has a population of around 600,000 and is Scotland's largest city and is the commercial capital of Scotland. It is the UK's largest retail centre after London. Glasgow is one of Europe's top 20 financial centres and is home to many of Scotland's leading businesses. It has great nightlife and shopping, and Glasgow is considered one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe.

The city houses many wonderful municipal art galleries and museums, first class sports and leisure facilities; excellent theatres; an array of restaurants, pubs and clubs; and beautiful parks. Within easy reach there is spectacular countryside and coastal views and the city is only 42 miles from Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh.

From Glasgow, it's only a short hop South West to Ayrshire. There are ancient abbeys, castles, historic houses and over 40 golf courses, including Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry. Less than one hour north of Glasgow is the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. This is where the lowlands meet the mountains of the north and west.

INVERNESS
Inverness was granted city status in December 2000 and has a population of approximately 67,733 and an area of 2,911 sq km. You will find that everything you need is within easy walking distance of the city centre where pipers, jugglers and fiddlers provide a welcome distraction from the serious business of holiday shopping!

In and around Inverness, you can also choose from numerous places to visit and things to do. The city is dissected by the charming River Ness, where the Ness Islands demand to be explored, and overlooking the river is Inverness Castle.

Travelling to Inverness, and getting around the rest of the Highlands and Islands, could not be easier. There are several road, bus and rail links as well as Inverness airport which is just 10 miles from the city centre and handles scheduled daily flights.

STIRLING
Stirling has become Scotland's youngest city after being granted city status in 2003; it has an estimated population of 86,370.

Their world-class university spread across one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe, the largest regeneration project in the country, a new national park on the doorstep, thriving inward investment, a growing population and a great quality of life are just some of the reasons for Stirling's success.

Close by Stirling are many attractive towns and villages. Stirling is also on the doorstep of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park - the first in Scotland, and forms an ideal basis from which to explore the natural beauty of the National Park area. There is truly something to please everyone in the city of Stirling and the stunning surrounding countryside.

SCOTTISH BORDERS
The Borders are situated to the South of Edinburgh where you will find lots of areas of farmland, open moor and World famous fishing rivers. The Scottish Borders cover about eighteen hundred square miles and here you will discover friendly towns and charming villages, while the castles, abbeys, stately homes and museums illustrate the exciting and often bloody history of the area. The number of people in the Scottish Borders was estimated to be 109,730 in 2005.

PROPERTY INFORMATION
Unlike the rest of the UK buying and selling in Scotland can be both quick and straightforward.

You should find yourself a good solicitor as they will assist you in the purchase of your house. Several Solicitors in Scotland are now offering a fully comprehensive integrated relocation package which is tailored for a complex market. This extends from helping their clients in house selection, to the arrangement and provision of mortgage and insurance advice.

The Scottish legal system is different from the rest of the UK however the main feature of the Scottish system is that property is offered for sale at a 'fixed price' basis or more usually, on an 'offers over' basis. If the property is offered for sale at a fixed price, the first party to lodge an offer at the stated price is generally successful. Most modern properties are offered for sale on this basis.

The majority of properties are offered for sale on an 'offers over' basis. You are invited to tender for the property at a price above the asking price. Buyers are essentially bidding on a 'blind basis'. You can try to negotiate a price with the seller but if there is competition for the property then it will very often go to a closing date.

WEATHER
Scotland has one of the most varied climates on the planet but it is surprisingly temperate for its latitude and is free from any extreme conditions.

In Scotland it is normal to experience blazing sunshine and rain in one morning. This is thanks to the fact that the country lies at the crossroads of several major weather systems.

The sunniest months are May and June and the temperatures range from 13 to 16c. July and August are normally the warmest months with an average temperature of 19c, although the temperature has been known to top 32c.

Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, during the four summer months, rainfall in Scotland is comparable with the driest parts of England.

Generally the east coast is cooler and drier than the west, which is milder and wetter.

January and February are the coldest months with maximum temperatures over low ground averaging 5 to 7c. Frosts are common in winter; however Scotland does not endure severe winters and heavy snow.