I've replied to your post in the section above, telling you that we even got as far as looking into the cost of FLYING to Scotland (we're in Brighton) to look at a cat. Common sense prevailed (more to do with subjecting a cat to the return flight) and so luckily, we waited and now have found our ideal cats at a rescue just over an hours drive up the coast. It's still a 70 mile round trip - it'll be 140 miles in total as I saw them this weekend and am going back next weekend, hopefully to pick them up.
I don't know of any rescue centre that has allowed you to take the cat there and then - unless you have already been homechecked with them before choosing your cat. Seems a bit strange to me - all of the places that we've been to make sure that you are fully checked out before allowing a cat to go. But I may be wrong - others on here could probably tell you as they are a lot more experienced in working in the field. I went to an RSPCA shelter yesterday armed with the homecheck from my local RSPCA shelter and details from my vet but they still have to call them and look into it which means that I will go back next weekend to pick the boys up. Maybe some shelters are extra cautious as I suppose the last thing they want is the cat to turn up to be rehomed somewhere else as it wasn't a good match for the home it went to. . . . .
BTW - I have IM'd you . . ..