Syrian Refugees, Not Happy On The Remote Scottish Island Of Bute.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3706625/Syrian-refugees-settled-remote-Scottish-island-complain-depressed-area-old-people-people-come-die.html

/// Rasha said the island was ‘full of old people’ and described it as ‘where people come to die’. ///

Looking at the other side of the coin Rasha, the old people on the island of Bute could say their Island is now becoming 'full of foreigners', and described it as 'where they come to sponge off us'.

But then that would be racist, wouldn't it?

/// Struggling to learn English, the fathers of the families – who both used to run businesses – said that most days they stay indoors or take walks on the seafront, feeling isolated. ///

Seeing that these fathers have all that time on their hands, so as to take part in these pursuits, and they and their families are supported by the British taxpayer, perhaps they could use this leisure time helping out the 'OLD' people of Bute, in return for all the hospitality that has been bestowed upon them.

[fiction-factory]

If any of them are reading this they may post to thank you for the suggestion and let you know how they get on

[hc4361]

With just 0.3% of the Bute population being from an ethnic origin, I hardly think anyone on the island is claiming that Bute is full of foreigners.

I do think the authorities made a mistake in settling refugees in such a deprived area with no jobs outside the tourist season.

[Khandro]

Perhaps they could learn to drink whisky and take up Scottish dancing to alleviate their ennui.

[Mamyalynne]

I presume these two families were asked how they felt and they have answered fully and frankly including telling of their gratitude and the shame they feel at having to accept charity.


I'm sure a fair few of us would find life on that beautiful island with it's high rate of unemployment difficult and isolating especially with children.

Hope they find the jobs they are currently travelling and searching for.

[andy-hughes]

I can understand - but not agree with - a position that says that these people should be grateful for any proverbial port in a storm.

I think it is wonderful that we as a society are able to help people worse off than ourselves, but giving them an improved unpleasant situation is not the same as giving them the support they need - and perhaps a re-think on suitable locations - for the benefit of everyone involved - might be a good idea.

[anotheoldgit]

fiction-factory

/// If any of them are reading this they may post to thank you for the suggestion and let you know how they get on ///

Read the report, they are struggling to learn English.

[Prudie]

On this occasion I completely sympathise with them. The vast majority of British people would be unhappy being made to live on Bute too. That requires a special and unusual desire for isolation. A very odd choice in the first place.

[NellieMay]

I wish I could be sent to the Isle of Bute!

[Lynn_M]

Give them 20 years, and they'll be 60% of the population

[Mamyalynne]

Nellie, is it not possible for you to get there?

[fiction-factory]

AOG.
I posted that comment because I wasn't sure there was a question (other than the 'but that would be racist, thought) and wondered if your post was aimed at giving them ideas on how they could help -maybe passed on via whoever did the translating to bring us their views.

[chiaroscuro]

They won't learn intelligible English living on Bute!

[hc4361]

I really don't know why Bute is described as remote - it really isn't far from Glasgow, 90 minutes by train and ferry, the ferry taking usually 35 minutes. I've been several times and think it's a lovely island but as man of working age I wouldn't consider living there. I think it is a relatively expensive place to live, mainly because it is an island.

[Dodger666]

If they're not happy they could always go back home.

[paddywak]

It might be remote, isolated and full of old people but if they don't like it they can go back to Syria.I'm sure they'll enjoy it with all the rest spending their days dodging the bullets and bombs.

[Lynn_M]

"Read the report, they are struggling to learn English".

They've probably no desire to learn English, only to populate Bute with their own people

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// I think it is wonderful that we as a society are able to help people worse off than ourselves, but giving them an improved unpleasant situation is not the same as giving them the support they need ///

There are plenty of our own who are much worse off than some of us could possibly imagine, but are they given the opportunity to live on a remote Island, all costs paid?

/// its average resident is aged between 55 and 59, ///

Hardly old aged, but what the **** any excuse.

[Mamyalynne]

Aye, just put up shut up, get more depressed and become a burden on the NHS.

That's the ticket.

[Mamyalynne]

At least they are travelling regularly to Glasgow to search for work.

[1rovert]

Come off it Lynn, they will do that in a quarter of the time, breeding is all they know about.