The 20 best places to live in Scotland, revealed

Tobermoray. Picture: DeFacto/Creative CommonsTobermoray. Picture: DeFacto/Creative Commons
Tobermoray. Picture: DeFacto/Creative Commons
The best place to live in Scotland has been revealed in new research.

The Bank of Scotland’s 2019 Quality of Life Survey gave the prize to Orkney for its high employment levels, low crime rate, strong exam results, smaller primary class sizes and good health and happiness scores. Orkney also topped the UK rankings. Where does your region rank?

Orkney retains its spot as Scotland's best place to live.  Orkney has the highest employment rate with 88 per cent of 16-64 year-olds in work. Pictured: Kirkwall. Credit: PixabayOrkney retains its spot as Scotland's best place to live.  Orkney has the highest employment rate with 88 per cent of 16-64 year-olds in work. Pictured: Kirkwall. Credit: Pixabay
Orkney retains its spot as Scotland's best place to live. Orkney has the highest employment rate with 88 per cent of 16-64 year-olds in work. Pictured: Kirkwall. Credit: Pixabay
Shetland, which takes second place in the Scottish table, is the only other location north of the border to break into the UK top 50. Picture: PixabayShetland, which takes second place in the Scottish table, is the only other location north of the border to break into the UK top 50. Picture: Pixabay
Shetland, which takes second place in the Scottish table, is the only other location north of the border to break into the UK top 50. Picture: Pixabay
Eilean Siar (Western Isles) named third most desirable place to live in Scotland. Picture of Stornoway: Geograph/Stephen BranleyEilean Siar (Western Isles) named third most desirable place to live in Scotland. Picture of Stornoway: Geograph/Stephen Branley
Eilean Siar (Western Isles) named third most desirable place to live in Scotland. Picture of Stornoway: Geograph/Stephen Branley
Rothesay, Isle of Bute. Argyll & Bute has the highest number of pubs per 10,000 adults in Scotland. Picture: PixabayRothesay, Isle of Bute. Argyll & Bute has the highest number of pubs per 10,000 adults in Scotland. Picture: Pixabay
Rothesay, Isle of Bute. Argyll & Bute has the highest number of pubs per 10,000 adults in Scotland. Picture: Pixabay
Dumfries and Galloway moves from eighth place in 2017 to fifth place in the 2019 Scottish rankings. Picture: Greig Williams/GeographDumfries and Galloway moves from eighth place in 2017 to fifth place in the 2019 Scottish rankings. Picture: Greig Williams/Geograph
Dumfries and Galloway moves from eighth place in 2017 to fifth place in the 2019 Scottish rankings. Picture: Greig Williams/Geograph
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire from above. Picture: M McBey/ Creative CommonsInverurie, Aberdeenshire from above. Picture: M McBey/ Creative Commons
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire from above. Picture: M McBey/ Creative Commons
Montrose, Angus. Picture: WikiCommonsMontrose, Angus. Picture: WikiCommons
Montrose, Angus. Picture: WikiCommons
Perth. Picture: Lis Burke/WikimediaPerth. Picture: Lis Burke/Wikimedia
Perth. Picture: Lis Burke/Wikimedia
Picture: WikiMediaPicture: WikiMedia
Picture: WikiMedia
Related topics:
Dare to be Honest
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice