Hello and thanks for the welcome.
I've had a look at the map and see that there's a member in the vicinity of Keith. That's about 25/30 miles from me.
As you say Baron, there have definitely been a few changes during my brewing break. The 2020 lockdown is what inspired me to come back. I think a few folk must've returned then because it was a real struggle getting kits and equipment. Boots had stopped selling stuff and the Homebrew Shop in Elgin was long gone. Everything had to be delivered and the only place I could find that did free delivery for larger orders was a shop in Edinburgh, but he's now closed down too.
Regarding "proper" brewing, the thing that's holding me back is my uncertainty that I'm mastering kits first. Just like 25 years ago, there is a taste to all the beers I make which very much identifies them as "homebrew". As I've always operated in isolation I have no idea if that taste is supposed to be there or if I'm doing something wrong. The beer is always drinkable but that taste thing nags at me so I need to find out that my Lego builds are ok before I move on the Meccano set. Maybe my near neighbour in Keith will taste it one day and till me if it's Lillian Gish or not.
)