1. ask on wannabes. I dont know much bout the new JAR system. In the old days you could get a CPL and be taken on as an FO. Do the ATPL grounds and have a frozen ATPL till 1500 hours. its probably about the same. Someone else will probably correct me.
2. Both pax and freight require the same standards from you as a pilot. Its the same licence. Take a job where you can. If you really want to do freighting find out as much as you can about it. It may change your mind! Then stucture your applications but if you get offered a job slumming it on a pax airbus
3. Same as to fly regional pax turboprops. So frozen ATPL type thingy. There are a number of freighter turboprops out there which are an excellent starting place in aviation.(see list below)
4. Yeah but dont go there. A job involves getting paid. If you have done your training and got your licence you are providing a valuable contribution to a company and should get paid for it. Dont get me wrong it might not be a huge amount but you should absolutely not work for nothing.
You might want to consider reading
DHL
www.dhl.com TNT
www.tnt.com Chanex
www.channel-express.co.uk/ ACL
www.aircontractors.com/ Atlantic
www.airatlantique.co.uk/ or
www.atlanticairlines.co.uk/ BAC express
www.bacexpress.com/
and last but not least
www.flyjem.com/cargo.php
almost forgot as your in scotland
www.highlandairways.co.uk/
for news
http://www.payloadasia.com/News/news_frames.htm
www.tiaca.org/
Just a short bit of homework
Freighting can offer a large and varied range of options it suits me but its not for all.