I have to agree with Vodkaholic, you either love the job or hate!
I've been flying for just over 10 years and i've been an instructor for the last 4. You sound like you really want to do the job Commander and i'm impressed by all the studying you have put in but as Vodkaholic has said it's all very different when you get into the crew for your briefing and if (heaven forbid) you have an emergency onboard.
However if you haven't been given the correct and relavant info in training you are going to struggle. This, i know isn't your fault but it needs to be addrssed before you get online, because if you fail a briefing you may find yourself back in the class room with the same inept trainers that you had for your intial training!
I don't mean to patronise you, and please don't think i am.
Have you ever thought about a move to Newcstle? It's an up and coming airport with lots of good airlines, and it's not that far from Scotland
Nesboy