windsong

I thought I'd start a similar thread to "Location, Location, Location" but devoted solely to Scotland. I know many parts of the Edinburgh area are lovely but what other parts of Scotland are good to live in?

Derrygal

My sister lives in Fife (not too far from Edinburgh). She really likes it there (she moved there about 8 years ago from another area of Scotland). Lots of lovely coastal walks, little fishing villages, etc. Also, the weather isn't quite as damp as other parts of Scotland (with it being on the East coast). My niece lives in the Highlands of Scotland in a little village called Nethy Bridge (not too far from Inverness). The Scottish Highlands are beautiful. I was there last Fall and stayed in Aviemore. A lot depends on what you want out of life, can afford, etc. I believe house prices are less expensive than in parts of England - not sure about rental properties, but I am sure you could check on-line. I think the pace of life is slower in Scotland than the rest of the UK. I always feel very relaxed when I visit there.

dunroving

+ 1 for Fife, from experience visiting on business, and knowing someone who grew up there. From my business there, Fife Council seem to have their act together re: promoting physical activity and sport.

Also, Stirling is nice.

Some people like Edinburgh but I am a bit of a reverse snob re: Edinburgh - it's a bit posh (and housing is expensive there, I think).

Glasgow has some lovely areas in the suburbs, and nice rural villages within 10 miles or so.

Generally, west is warmer than east, but west is also wetter than east. Generally, the further north you go the colder it gets.

I've read good comments on BE about the Borders, and have friends that love to visit there for mini-vacations.

Personally, I find the weather in Scotland gets me down, it's too cold and too wet for too many months of the year, compared to further south.

lf1

The Borders is a very nice area. Might be a bit too remote for some, but the upside is less traffic. I love the Highlands too. Dunroving is right about the climate. The east gets more sun, less rain but can be a bit colder. All of which are fine with me. I am currently having a wee sit down in my B&B as we have been visiting Orkney over the last few days. It is a lovely place and and I can't wait to come back and explore the other islands off the mainland. I hope to post a more detailed update about this trip, along with photos, when I have a bit more time.

morayeel

When I went back briefly I went to Elgin. It's a lovely town. Not too big and not too small. If I were to move back that's were I would live. They have Asda, Tesco, and lots of other wee shops and if you live in Elgin there is bus station and train station , you don't need a car..

lf1

+1. I visited there in 2008 and really enjoyed my stay. Loved visiting the woolen mill. It is close to Inverness too.

robin1234

What's Dundee like? I like the idea of the east coast .. Railway access, easy to get to Edinburgh, and sunshine and sandy beaches. (A bit like a northward extension to Northumberland maybe?). Is it Dundee that has the Andrew Carnegie heritage, libraries parks etc.? I've never been up there but saw some nice reasonably priced property on Rightmove.

Buckyball

We'll move to Stirling, it's a really nice area with easy access to Edinburgh.

dunroving

Wow, that's a long way up there, isn't it?

There's no doubting the beauty of many areas of Scotland, but the remoteness and cold of somewhere like the Hebrides, Shetlands, or Elgin would put me off. I know some people who live there (Hebrides and Shetlands), though, and they love it. I'd love to take a holiday to one or other (or both!) some time.

scot47

Clyde Estuary. Arran, Cumbrae, Bute. For landlubbers - Largs. In some places we still have affordable housing - unlike other parts of Her Majesty's Territories !

MaureenKB

That's Dunfermline that has the Andrew Carnegie connections. It was his birthplace. The house he was born in is now a museum. Not too far from Dundee across the Tay Bridge.

ldollard

Nethy Bridge looks amazing, its a shame we dont live for hundreds of years so we can live in all these wonderful places.

windsong

I love the Edinburgh area but I also love Stirlingshire - up and around Callander. It's beautiful there. I am not sure quite how far it is from Edinburgh but so long as it is within 2 hours, it is ok.

AmerLisa

My mother in law lives in Dunblane, and has for 30+ years. It's a really lovely area and someplace I've always felt had a very homey feeling about it.

robin1234

Always makes me think of Dr. Finlay's Casebook, I think that was filmed in Callander (the outdoor bits).

Back in the mid 1960s I went to Cultybraggan Camp with the school CCF a couple of times, I believe it is close to Comrie and Crieff.