Pierre and Christiane Lebrun

In 1983 Pierre and Christiane Lebrun decided to pack up their lives as a journalist and a teacher in the North West of France, and head for the peace and tranquillity of Scotland. They first came to Scotland to study at Glasgow University, and fell in love with the wildness and beauty of the Highlands and the Scottish cultural heritage.

They found themselves coming back for holidays every year until one day they realised that this is where they wanted to settle.

The Great Glen is a popular holiday destination, and nearby Glen Affric is one of the most dramatic glens in Scotland. Loch Ness is a favourite with some tourists for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, but Pierre assures me that most of their visitors don't come for that.

"Most people are escaping the bustle of the city, and they come here because they love the peace and quiet of the place," he said.

We asked Pierre and Christine what it is that makes the Highlands so special to them. "We're not city people, and we love nature and wildlife", Pierre told us. "The pace of life here is very different to the city. People enjoy life more when there isn't that need to rush around and Highland Scots are very good at living life to the full. It makes them very warm and welcoming people." Talking to Pierre and Christiane you certainly can tell they’ve taken that Highland warmth to heart.

"It hasn't always been easy – we certainly didn't come to the Highlands to make money," says Pierre. "But we get by on what we make from the B&B." Pierre said.

After nearly 26 years living in Scotland, Pierre and Christiane's love for the country and their passion for the wide open spaces, the wildlife and the warm Highland welcome that they first experienced all those years ago that means they are here for good.

Pierre and Christiane own the Shenval bed and breakfast in Glenurquhart, Inverness-shire.

Related links

• For all the advice you need on starting a business in Scotland go to the Business Gateway website.
• Find out more about life in the Highlands of Scotland  and discover more on the Highland Life website.
• Check the Visit Scotland guide for inspiration on things to do if you are visiting.
• Read about others who have started a business in Scotland in our business section if you are thinking of starting a business in Scottish tourism.