Philippe Regal

A French Connection on Mull

Philippe Regal, Engineer, has been on the island of Mull for 11 years. He talks about what it’s like working on the island and being 50% of the French population…

"Many years ago, I travelled around the west coast of Scotland and decided that Mull was the best island of all. The engineering workshop was for sale at the time so I saw it as an opportunity and decided to move over from France to run it.

"I am from Chamonix region of the Alps. I was working for a civil engineering company in France and to make the jump from there to mechanical was small.

"The most difficult thing about running a business in Scotland, for me being French, was their Scottish accent. When you come straight from France it takes you two to three months to adjust. I already spoke English, but you have to understand the people.

"The business was already established when I bought it. So I continued on; people have to get to trust you so it all takes time. One of my customers who was working as a baker at the time said if you want to establish a business in Mull it needs ten years!

"And funnily enough after eight years work was really coming in on a constant basis. A lot of work on the island is seasonal so unless you have the volume of work as I do, you won’t have work all year long.

"Mull has a very interesting character. It's an island which is not far from the continent so you can travel very easily and also it’s an island which is very varied – from north to south there are different atmospheres. It’s also very beautiful island and has a strong community of working people, artists, etc.

"Mull is not like some villages in France where the people view newcomers with a suspicious eye. Here you are who you are but you have to prove that and people either like or dislike you. But there is no real stress which is very nice.

"I am 50% of the French community. There is one other French person here – Thierry Mece who is on the other end of the island, he is a very nice chap. He exports shellfish, lobsters, crabs, and mussels in general to Spain and France. He's been on the island for at least thirty five to forty years. He was the first French person here. I am number two.

"In the past there have been a lot of French people here. There is a mausoleum (burial chamber) on the other side of the island where two French doctors came to officiate in the past and I believe they were very famous pharmacists or herbalists. The whole place is full of history such as the Stone Circle. And people love to come to the island to paint because the light is so very, very beautiful.

"Even some Irish people have said that the light on Mull is even more beautiful than it is in Ireland. So it makes for a fascinating place – very magical! And you have the impression when you live here that you are at the centre of the world.

"My work is mechanical engineering. I do welding, steel fabrication, machining and work on diesel engines. I work for everyone on the island really – both boats and cars.
 
"I do steelwork for the construction industry, the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry company, builders, Argyle and Bute Council, farmers and fish farmers.

"There is a youngster that has set up his business about two years ago in direct competition with me. Funnily enough since he has started I have more work!

"I consider this my home. I would encourage people from overseas to come and live and work here on condition that they know what they are doing. The conditions on an island are very difficult as far as travelling is concerned. And as far as settling in, life here is much more expensive than working on the Continent. So you need a business that you like, which gives you enough time for your passion or whatever you do.

"You have to think of the logistics all the time.  This is what all the islanders face but more so with a business like mine because when you order anything it's going to be eight, ten, twelve or twenty pounds on top of the price.

"For someone who wants to live on the island, firstly you have to have a good job and not be able to feel depressed when November arrives and it is dark and wet.  You need a passion for your work and finance for it!"

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