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At last, not a married couple but partners. Bill had travelled widely and had had numerous jobs but he said carpentry occupied most of his time at the present. He had met Helen in Australia, and they now owned a detached property in Kent. Bill appeared to be a very strong person, and Helen said she believed he could lift a horse and was very humorous. They both fired question after question at me, at first mainly about their role, what was expected of them and their young children and how they could all integrate. This was followed by more searching questions about how the affairs of the island would be handled. This was particularly helpful to me too, as I could consolidate plans that I had and get an immediate feedback. Then, Bill raised another matter that had troubled them.

“Jim, I thought we should let you know that our son Richard who’s five, has been diagnosed as being hyperactive. He is causing us some problems and I wouldn’t want it to cause anyone else difficulties.”

“If you can both cope with him, I’m sure others can make allowances.”

“I think the main difficulty would be his effect upon others at school. We’ve been told that hyperactive children find it hard to sit still at their desks and concentrate on lessons. Also they may misbehave and be disruptive. They also have difficulty making or keeping friends and some are more aggressive than other children but we’ve only noticed a little of this yet. He’s only five.”

“Thanks for telling me, I’m sure we will cope and surely he will benefit from the small class size. There will be more chance of one-to-one tuition.”

“That’s true. So you’ll take us then?”

“Of course, you are all welcome.”

Another single person, no matter, this time a student named Brenda, eighteen years old who said she would like to come to the island as her ‘Gap’ year between grammar school and going to university. I enquired whether she would definitely part with us at the end of the year that she would commit herself to and, sensibly she said she did not know.

I asked her what she would study at university and she replied that she was interested in genetics and perhaps it would be in some area associated in this field. In answer to the question did she think a year on the island would help in any way, she replied that most of her peer group went off abroad, usually with a fairly open mind about what they would do during the year. Generally it was just to see the world and have a good time. This would be something a bit different.

Several applicants have used this word ‘different’. It would appear that the type of person I am attracting gave value to something that was not the usual ‘run of the mill’ type of thing.

I did not think I would invite Brenda to come as a fill-in for time before university. I judged that the likelihood of her wanting to continue life on the island at the expense of her university education was remote, and although I had no guarantee that any one of those that I have so far met would be with me in the years beyond the first, I did feel that with most of them it would be a real possibility. In Brenda’s case I felt that there was a real probability that she would not. It seemed to me that the ‘gap’ year offered something that was very close to being a holiday and I did not want at this stage anyone coming for that reason.

It was so pleasing to get another application from a qualified professional. Philip, at 44 years of age, was an experienced and qualified solicitor. He was single and prepared at this important stage in his life to give up a chance for advancement in law to spend time on a lone Scottish island. Having explained the whole scheme to him, I realised that I needed his services at once and offered to engage him for a fee to deal with additional matters relating to the purchase of the island and give advice on my intended contract with the new islanders. He said that he would do all this gratis if I would give him the opportunity to become a new islander. It was agreed on the spot and we set out for an evening meal at a local hotel where we were able to talk everything through in some greater detail.

I was looking forward to meeting Denise. A university graduate, currently working as a personal assistant to a director in the Department of Education, she had, in her efficient manner, previously sent on her CV for me to peruse although I had not asked for it. It showed quite clearly that she had great organisational abilities and impressive references. She was far to highly qualified for the job I had in mind for her.

When we met, I put it to that this surely was a retrograde career move. She agreed.

“I’ve been lucky, I’ve put a lot of time into study and work, and highly paid jobs have fallen into place. It sounds clichéd but now I believe that money isn’t everything. If you can use me on this island, and civilisation does not fall apart in the rest of the world for the next year or so, I will be able to get another job if and when I return.”

“The biggest challenge I can give you on the island would be as a Manager responsible for the education and social care of all the islanders, also the distribution of food etc. where it becomes necessary during the early months. Your immediate tasks would be to organise the efficient management of the school and leisure facilities for children and adults, liase with teachers and helpers that I will appoint shortly, organise a collective kitchen/canteen to commence operation from the day we arrive on the island and to seek volunteers from islanders for kitchen staff. Needless to say, it must be carried out with the maximum degree of delicacy, bearing in mind that everyone on the island will be a volunteer to the task to which you may ask of them. This therefore also requires the minimum number of rules and, particularly in the case of the teacher, paper work. Does this appeal to you?”

“That’s fantastic”— she said. “I would welcome the challenge and I have to confess I had no idea that such an interesting job could be available.

A call that I had hoped for: Gerry, a farmer from ‘Gods own country’ as my previous home county has been called. Gerry He and his wife Doris have two children; Patrick aged 22 who worked with his father on their same farm and Theresa 19, who is currently working in their local town Tourist Office.

“It was my daughter Theresa who first saw your advert. I think she would like to tell you the reasons why we decided to apply”— he told me when we met.”

“The moment I saw the advert I became excited and wished I could ring you straightaway. Pat and I talked about the opportunity together and although we were of the same mind, we knew that Mum and Dad could not sustain as it is at present without Pat’s help. Then a few days later, the subject of the advert cropped up again. To our surprise Dad said that he had also seen it and said, “Suppose we all go? I could probably rent it out”

He thought a move would provide a welcome change for all of us. And so here we all are.”

I asked Doris if the family had ganged up on her.

“Oh no” — she said. “Gerry and I have always been of the same mind and whatever we have done we have done together. But if we could not do this I would seek to convince him that Pat and Theresa should have the chance to go.”

Theresa’s eyes moistened and I realised that they were a very close-knit family. They would all certainly be on the final list that was for sure. In fact, Gerry seemed to be the person I would choose to fill the second managerial position, responsible for all the agricultural aspects on the island, so I put my request to him.

“I dunno. It sounds a bit too grand for me. I thought we were going to some little Scottish island. Now it feels that I’m going off to Brussels talking about the European Farm policies.”

“No, No, Gerry. This is far more important than Europe. Will you at least come and talk with me?”

“Aye, Aye then, I’ll come. Will I have to wear a suit? If so I’ll have to buy one.”

“No again, Gerry, it won’t be what you look like, it’ll be whether you can cope with all those townies. See you tomorrow then and perhaps Patrick, would you come along too? If your father agrees, I think I may have a job for you as well.”

When we met again the following day I outlined some of the things I would want them to do.

“Gerry, the most obvious thing I would like you to arrange first, is to list and obtain before we get to the island, all the desirable livestock and farming materials including fencing etc. that will be required in order to set up a viable island farm. I have an information pack that will be of some help, but I intend to go with you and the other managers to the island in the very near future to assess the whole situation. It will be your choice as to how many sheep, cows, pigs, chickens or even canaries we take. Also I have this idea that we should investigate the possibilities of starting a fish farm. They are all the go around Scotland at present, and I would like you, Pat, to take this on and find out everything you can about fish farms and what we will need to set one up. I would also like you to become more acquainted with fishing and shell fishing in general. Can I suggest you have a word and work with Angus on this? He has been fishing around these islands for a long time.”

I pointed out to Gerry that I wanted him to be responsible to the islanders through the island council and said that I would give him a guide as to his budget allowance in due course. I saw him raise his eyebrows and he cut in.

“Now look here Jim, I think I can do all you have asked of me about the farming, but I’m not keen on dealing with the money, ordering and all that sort of thing.”

“That’s OK Gerry, don’t worry, I will find someone who will do all your ordering. You say what you will want and he or she will get the prices, keep all the records, do all the arithmetic, type it all up, give it to you to look over. If it’s all OK we go ahead and get it ordered.

“Well, that’s a bit of a relief” — he said wiping his brow.

Edith, a simple housewife (her words) sat comfortably relaxed and over a cup of tea she gave me a potted history of her life. She was, perhaps about sixty, with a kindly face, but her hair was greying and there was sadness in her voice that spoke of hardships along the way.

“It was just on the spur of the moment. I read the advert and thought how enterprising that someone in this day and age would think of revitalising an island that I knew as a child. You know I was born on a nearby Scottish island but I moved to Delhi when I was quite young with my mother and father. He was in the Diplomatic Service.

When they both died prematurely, I was left virtually stranded in India, but I eventually begged and hitched my way back to England. I would like to come to your island. I have nothing to lose and only a little to offer, but I am capable of hard work.”

She convinced me. It was the mix of people of different ages bringing varied experiences and outlooks upon life and thereby giving different contributions that would make for success on the island.

Dafydd, who not surprisingly, was from Wales, was totally committed even before I gave any indication or suggestion that he and his wife would be selected. Both he and Gwyneth had been looking for a complete change in their way of life. They had reasoned that with a young family, now was the time to break out. They felt that my advert was made for them. Dafydd was a butcher by trade, voluble and confident in his manner, Gwyneth was just as enthusiastic, and their two children, Alison and Mark were a delight and well behaved.

“Not many people like the butchering part of the animals they eat and, at least in the towns, generally ignore that it happens” — commented Dafydd. “They enjoy the meat on their plate but often don’t know or want to know how it gets there. It’s my guess you won’t get many offers to do this essential work even if you get farmers applying. If I’m wrong I’ll eat my apron and still offer you my strength and willingness to do any job I am capable of. Gwyneth is good with her hands; she makes all of the children’s clothes and most of her own. She’s actually quite a good mechanic too; she can strip down a car engine and put it together again. I know there won’t be any cars on the island but there will be engines. Alison is already being taught to cook and Mark always wants to make thing tidy, so you will take us won’t you?”

It was more of a statement than a question but I had to admit he was offering many useful attributes and agreed that I was sure he would be there and, yes, there would be several engines in tractors and the like on the island.

John, a 34-year-old engineer, was generally enthusiastic about flying and gliding during his spare time, and he met his wife Alice at the gliding club. She had been a secretary and they had two sons, Jonathan, and Trevor.

In many ways he was over qualified for the role as Manager of Engineering, as the engineering needs of the island would seem to be minimal. But I was becoming aware that the electricity supply might not meet our requirements and we might have to generate our own. The challenge for John would be in how he would adapt his knowledge to new areas.

John had received a thoroughly sound mechanical training at the Rolls Royce, but I needed to know that he could cope with the electrical services and, more importantly, whether he had experience of involving others with his work. His reply was satisfying.

“About my experience of being responsible for staff, I’m afraid that is a bit limited. We all worked as part of a team with different specialities but I can tell you that I have been a local councillor for the last year or so and that has brought me into contact with many different people of varying political persuasions and of different personal characteristics. I have tried, and it has been very trying at times — he quipped — to get on with everybody in the town and it has been largely successful. I have also had to attend several meetings with the general public which does rather tend to concentrate the mind.”

I indicated that I would be happy for them to join us on the island and asked him to do some research about generation and wind power. I liked his manner and, as with everyone I interviewed, I relied very much on what has been called a ‘gut instinct’. It is something that is usually evident soon after meeting a person. Somehow you ‘know’ if there is an affinity or, conversely, if there are inhibitions or areas of less than total open honesty between you. My initial feelings had usually proved to be a reliable guide in the past.

At last, against the odds, I had an enquiry from a doctor by the name of Matthew. He was married to Ruth, who had been a nurse but was now at home looking after their young children, Andrew, and Nicola.

Matthew was enthusiastic about the prospect of living on the island and anxious to move on from his present situation as a London GP. It turned out that he did not get on with his other practice doctors. At first I was a little worried about this and I asked Ruth if she had the same difficulties. She confirmed that they were an odd bunch at the surgery. She was not sure of the reasons why they never fitted in well; it could possibly be that nearly all the partners tended to be heavy on the drink whereas they were both teetotal.

I told them that I was pleased that they wanted to come to the island, and added that an early task would be for him to make an appraisal of medical needs for an occupancy of say 50. They should give me the bill and then assemble the necessary medicines and equipment for a year, before departure. I assumed that Ruth would be able to resume her previous roll as a nurse if the requirement was there.

I had now concluded another eight successful interviews in this session, and rejected four applicants. So far I had recruited seven couples and eleven single people. There were thirteen men, twelve women and about a dozen children of whom six were between the ages of 4 and 11 and four were between the ages of 11 to 16. It seemed a good general mix overall.

The number of applications are had now tailed off, so I repeated my advertisement for the third and last time.