Articles on RuralFinds
We write about rural living, making a move to the country, and the challenges and rewards of living in rural environments.
Articles - Page 11
In a significant move to strengthen Scotland's agricultural landscape and rural economy, the Scottish Government has awarded a substantial digital support contract to Version 1 Solutions Limited. This strategic partnership, potentially worth up to £95 million over seven years, aims to revolutionize how rural payments and support services are delivered across Scotland's farming communities while advancing the country's climate and sustainability ambitions.
Rural crime is rising across Britain as organized thieves increasingly target valuable farm equipment, with GPS thefts alone surging 137% between 2022 and 2023. Criminologists describe these criminals as "positively entrepreneurial," exploiting the countryside's "high reward, low risk" environment where agricultural machinery often lacks basic security features. Despite government initiatives including new legislation and a dedicated Rural Crime Unit, farmers remain vulnerable to these targeted thefts that disrupt operations and violate their sense of security.
The UK government has announced a £289 million broadband project to improve internet access in rural areas. The initiative will provide high-speed internet to 131,000 homes and businesses currently dealing with slow connections.
In Lincolnshire's South Kesteven District, the village of Deeping St James has completed a notable architectural renovation project. The development shows how heritage buildings can be updated through careful, gradual improvements rather than rapid transformation.
The UK government has announced a £343 million investment in the rural economy, supporting more than 31,000 farmers across the country. The December 2024 funding package forms part of the government's broader £5 billion farming budget, aimed at strengthening British food security and sustainable agriculture.
Scotland's rural areas emerge as beacons of opportunity, offering a unique blend where work meets nature. These locales aren't just about picturesque scenes; they're becoming hubs where the digital world harmoniously coexists with tranquil, natural beauty of the Highlands.
A comprehensive study on the private rented sector (PRS) in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, has unveiled a series of complex challenges threatening the stability of rural housing. The report, "The Challenges Faced by Rural Landlords: The case of Argyll and Bute," authored by Dr. Andrew Robert Watson, represents the first major investigation into rural landlordism in Scotland.
In recent years, Scotland's rural landscape has been the subject of intense interest from investors seeking to capitalize on natural capital and carbon offset opportunities. However, a recent report by Simeon Kerr in the Financial Times suggests that this "land rush" is losing steam, highlighting the complexities and challenges in the emerging market for environmental assets
Remote workers are embracing Mallorca's simple pleasures of country living paired with modern connectivity.
Eric McAskill had always dreamed of owning an abandoned countryside home in Japan. In 2021, his dream became reality when he purchased a 150-year-old, 2,000 sq ft akiya (abandoned property) in the rural village of Nozawaonsen for just $23,600.
The transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) in urban areas is gaining momentum, accelerated by initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the shift in rural regions presents unique challenges and opportunities.
Japan is grappling with a surplus of over 8 million unoccupied homes in rural areas. To address this, local governments are offering these homes at extremely low prices, some even as low as 50,000 yen (approximately $455).