If you lived in rural Lincolnshire you would often do the same, unlit roads, deep dykes either side, big pot holes etc. You nee all the help you can get, just use it properly and dip when needed.
I am not sure what the point is of driving on dipped when there is absolutely no need to.
As for shoulder checking in the dark, well semi dark maybe but country side dark no point, all you will see is headlights and will make out very little in the way of shape. Unless of course your shoulder check takes up enough time to refocus etc, not a good idea with the state of our roads.