As you live in Scotland maybe you can pop into an Edinburgh Bike Coop shop
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwP...c003155c002909
The
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwP...c003155c002909 is a fine bike along with the:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwP...c003155c002909
and this is just under £400:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwP...c003155c002909
I think you may want to spend under the £400 and get some gear too a helmet, gloves and some clothing will set you back £100 easy. Else you can try second hand from well know MTB forums and pickup a bargin that way. There's also the cycle to work scheme. This only applies if you firstly work and secondly your employer is on the scheme
http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/