Firstly thanks to everyone who's replied, i've found all your advice very helpful. In response to Neblixes post, i too liked the idea of composing game soundtracks but there are no courses in Scotland that cover it, and i won't be able to get tuition fee's payed in England.
I've decided i definetly want to focus on the music creation more than performing. I would like a job where i can settle down, and i know gigging about in a band is definetly not the way you do that. I would probably get into a band as something to earn a few extra pennies. This summer i'm also going to try and get an unpaid internship or something similar at one of the local recording studios so i can get some hands on experience. If i do end up starting my own small studio i know quite a few bands who i'm good friends with around the country, so hopefully they would let me record their stuff for them. On top of that i'd be composing and recording my own work too. AND on top of that i'd need a day job to keep a steady pay. If i could eventually get a job in more of a 'big shot' studio after i've gained a certain amount of experience it would be helpful for some extra money. That or i could continue with my day job and try to expand my own studio.
This isn't going to happen any time soon, i'll need to work to get money for the equipment first haha.