The 'happiest' places in Scotland to live in 2024 named as pretty town tops list
New research conducted by property website Rightmove has revealed the "happiest" places to live in the UK, with one historic Borders town coming in at number one for Scotland.
by Alexander Smail, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/alexander-smail/ · Daily RecordThe "happiest" places to live in Scotland ahead of 2024 has been revealed, and a scenic town has topped the list.
New research conducted by Rightmove saw the property website ask more than 26,000 people throughout the UK how they feel about where they live, and used this data to compile a list of the happiest destinations across the nation.
Based on the poll, Rightmove has named Galashiels in the Scottish Borders as the place where residents are happiest. The historic town was also named the 15th happiest destination across the UK.
Galashiels beat out Inverness, Dumfries, Dundee, and Perth for the top spot in Scotland, while Richmond upon Thames in London was named by Rightmove as the number one most happy place to live in the UK.
The happiest places to live in Scotland
- Galashiels
- Inverness
- Dumfries
- Dundee
- Perth
- Falkirk
- Ayr
- Stirling
- Edinburgh
- Kilmarnock
- Glasgow
- Aberdeen
- Kirkcaldy
- Paisley
- Motherwell
Galashiels, referred to as Gala by locals, is perhaps best known for its rich textile history. Throughout the 19th century, the population of the settlement grew from hundreds to thousands as more and more mills were built, while today Galashiels is home to Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles and Design.
The town's textile legacy lives on through the Great Tapestry of Scotland, among the world's biggest community arts projects, which celebrates Galashiels' and Scotland's history. Hand-stitched by around 1,000 people, the tapestry is comprised of approximately 160 linen panels and 300 miles of wool, which is enough to cover the entire length of Scotland. It is a must-see for anyone visiting the town.
Elsewhere, Galashiels has strong ties to legendary Scots poet and writer Sir Walter Scott, who built his home Abbotsford just across the River Tweed from the town in the 1800s. Today, the spectacular House, gardens, and estate are open to the public, and are perfect for a day out.
Other highlights of Galashiels include the 16th-century museum and gallery Old Gala House, which will reopen to the public in 2024 after closing for the Christmas season, and its independent family-run Pavilion Cinema. There is also an architectural trail that weaves through the town, showcasing some of its most unique and historic buildings.
When it comes to places to eat, visitors are spoiled for choice, with highlights including Indian restaurant Gala Tandoori and cosy eatery Quins. Meanwhile, among the top pubs in Galashiels for a good pint are The Auld Mill Inn and The Salmon Inn.
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The full list of the "happiest" places to live in the UK can be found on the Rightmove website.
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