Plot Hunting

Archive from June 2006, penned while we were plot-hunting:

"Found an email on our return from an estate agent, informing us that a plot we were interested in but never quite got around to bidding on was back on the market, having failed to attract any satisfactory offers. This coincided with the gradual cooling off on Cunzierton as reality starts to sink in about the amount of work and expense involved there, so this morning we all (minus Ellie, who stayed in Cranshaws) set off and looked over the two plots. Luckily Neil (the seller) was at the first one (Hownam Howgate), so we were able to discuss grazing for the horses and clarify a couple of other things. It's in a wonderful spot, with the hills rising quite literally from the garden and a nice stream flowing through the plot. The only downside is that there are plans for at least one, and probably three other houses in fairly close proximity.
Our visit to Cunzierton reinforced what we were coming to realise about the unrealistic nature of the place. Too expensive, too remote for the kids, too much work, too long a project. Bloody gorgeous plot, though, with about 5 acres of woodland and 6 acres of grazing.
Now agonising about how much to offer, having both independently compiled lists of pros and cons. Buying a property in the Scottish system is a bloody nightmare.