A Guide to Living in Scotland

Boasting some of the highest scores for standards of living in the UK, Scotland is a country of extraordinary natural beauty. Add to that its friendly, cultured cities and a rich history stretching back for centuries, and you have a location that offers something for everyone. Whether you live in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or another of its cities, or find a home closer to nature, Scotland provides plenty to appeal to property hunters of all ages and inclinations.

4.64

Average Location Score

Excellent

73%

Very Good

20%

Average

Disappointing

Very Poor

Best places to live in Scotland

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

Expand Map

View over Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland

Where to live in Scotland?

In the far north, the Highlands & Islands region offers some of the country’s wildest scenery and includes islands such as Shetland and Orkney. The way of life here is largely rural, with farming and tourism the main sources of income.

In the north-east of the country lies the Grampian region, famous for its synonymous mountain range and Scotland’s third-largest city, Aberdeen. The ‘Granite City’ has recently been named the best city in Scotland to live in, thanks in part to its good employment prospects and low cost of living.

Moving south, you’ll find Glasgow to the west and Edinburgh to the east. As the country’s two largest cities, both are obvious choices for great places to live in Scotland, with Glasgow offering the lower cost of living out of the two.

Even further south and towards the border with England lie the cities of Ayr and Dumfries. Dumfries is just 25 miles by road from the border, and offers residents a charming and characterful market town set amidst the unique beauty of the Scottish lowlands.

Best places to visit in Scotland

We don’t have space to list all the best places to visit in Scotland but we can offer a few highlights that shouldn’t be missed.

The enduring legend of the Loch Ness Monster brings many visitors to Inverness. This city can be found where the River Ness flows over the northeast coast of Scotland into the Moray Firth. Even if you don’t spot the beast, Loch Ness itself is a stunning natural feature at 23 miles long and containing more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.

Whiskey is another famous product of Scotland’s plentiful water. Make sure you take in a distillery tour or two – the oldest sites are Strathisla, Bowmore and Glenturret. The latter has had a distillery on the site since 1775.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are two obvious city destinations visitors to Scotland should try to take in. Other cities well worth a visit include Inverness, Perth, Stirling and Ayr.

For natural scenery, the Isle of Skye is hard to beat. Orkney and Arran are also spectacularly beautiful islands to visit. Other sites offering stunning scenery and outstanding hiking options include Glencoe, Loch Lomond, The Cairngorms National Park, The Trossachs and Kintail.

Best castles in Scotland

Scotland has more than its fair share of stunning castles. From beautifully preserved examples like Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle or Dunrobin Castle, to ruined fortresses like the craggy Dunnottar Castle, there’s plenty here for history buffs. Even Balmoral Castle – holiday home of the Royal Family – opens its doors to the public for visits each year from April to July.

View over the city of Inverness in Scotland

What is the population of Scotland?

The population of Scotland is around 5,466,000, according to the latest figures from National Records of Scotland. The capital city of Edinburgh is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 524,930. Glasgow is the largest with a population of 633,210.

Best schools in Scotland

The best school in Scotland is currently Jordanhill School Glasgow, according to league tables for 2021. Other top schools making up the top ten include St Ninian’s High School East Renfrewshire, Gryffe High School Renfrewshire and Dunblane High School in Stirling.

The highest-ranked universities in Scotland for 2021 are St Andrews in the top spot, followed by the University of Edinburgh in second and Glasgow University in third. Heriot-Watt University and the University of Dundee take up fourth and fifth places.

Featured developments in Scotland

Reviews in Scotland

Write a Review

Best rented property in Glasgow!!

Verified Resident

Review Date Apr 2024

Living in Platform_, close by the river wins over the rest for me personally. Yes, it would have been more better if there were more shops, bars close by as everything is min in 20 walking distance. Anderston station is quite close by, along with the bus stop however there isn’t a subway station around.
No issues so far living in Platform, it’s quite peaceful and secure.

Please review your development:

Building is built at very lovely location, catches everyone’s attention!!
Vasili was our agent and he showed us the property around while explaining all the details and patiently answering our queries. The process was quick and smooth, within a month i was able to move in.

Stay at Platform so far has been a pure jou, people living here are extremely friendly and behaved. First class facilities, secured premises and has everything i wanted in a house to live in comfortably.

Definitely no other rental property like this in Glasgow , grateful to call one of the flats mine now xx

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I only wish that i had my flat in Block A facing the river view at a rate of flats in other blocks.
That would have been perfect however no such thoughts, guess i knew it all and happy with my stay.

Grateful, thank you xx

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

All my questions have been answered spontaneously. Staff here are very helpful and friendly.

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

User submitted image of PLATFORM_ in Glasgow, G3

Read all Read less

Love Lloyd!!

Verified Resident

Review Date Apr 2024

The good aspects in my opinion is that the flats are furnished with good quality furniture and up to date appliances. Another good aspect is the concierge. It’s very convenient having them accessible 24/7 and I absolutely love it when Lloyd is on his shift! Life of the place and absolutely friendly. Whenever I have an issue and bring it to him, he solves it immediately. Bad aspect I can think of is the unannounced drilling and construction noises.

Please review your development:

From my experience of living here I can share that I am very appreciative of having maintenance in the building to sort out any issues I may have in my flat. I had an issue with the tiles in my flat and management put me in a lovely and cozy guest flat while they sorted out my issue.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Personally, I can’t think of anything. The marketing is very clear and the flat and service met both my expectations and what I was promised.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Promptly with friendly staff. I think it’s worth mentioning that John the resident engagement manager was super helpful and accommodating whenever I needed to speak to him about an issue or request.

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

Read all Read less

Outstanding place to live in the city centre of Edinburgh

Verified Resident

Review Date Apr 2024

The accommodation is in a great location. Close by there are many restaurants and local shops. Many locations to do fun hobbies.

Please review your development:

The building staff are amazing. Lloyd on the front desk is so amazing and always happy to help with anything. The maintenance team are on the ball and help with any issues and requests writhing 24 hours. The management are great fun and are always asking how our day is. Over all I can’t complain.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish inhad known sooner of what a great and strong community this neighbourhood is and love all the friendly people and dogs in and around the building.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

If you have any questions or need any sort of help the staff are there 24 hours. When needing assistance or maintenance help they are on the ball and help within 24 hours. Management are a,aging and always there to help.

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management

Read all Read less

Home away from home

Verified Resident

Review Date Apr 2024

All good, everyone here is friendly and it’s very helpful safe, which makes it feel like home. I love living in Glasgow

Please review your development:

Everything is excellent, there’s literally nothing bad about the development. Extremely clean, safe and convenient. Which is what im looking for, as im from a different country and at first was so worried. Thankfully all the worriness went away when i saw the place abd officially moved in. The staff had a huge part in making this journey wonderful, blessed to have met Amanda and Felicia.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

How happy and safe i would feel after moving in. Truly blessed

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Everyone is super friendly and supportive, they helped me with all my queries and matters, especially Felicia and Amanda. They’re the best. It truly feels like home away from home.

Facilities

Design

Location

Value

Management