Hello Tom !
Thank you for your letter. I am glad that you had a trip to Scotland.
In Russia, most young people want to live separately from their parents aswell, but unfortunately the conditions do not allow us to live alone. Personaly, I don't think I can live without my parents, because renting an apartment costs enormous sums of money, aswell as feeding yourself is a problem too. But if my parents would help me, then I could do it.
Well it's time for me to go, need to go to school.
Send me a letter when you find time.