It is hardly a secret that Scotland is home to some of the prettiest towns, villages, and cities in the UK and beyond. Regardless of where you live in the country, there will probably be some gorgeous green space to walk around in nearby.
At the very least, you won’t be too far from a fascinating tourist spot or yummy café or restaurant. As 2025 begins in earnest, now is the perfect time to make a major move if you aren’t happy where you live.
With so many destinations to choose from in Scotland, the Daily Record has put together a list of 20 of the best places to live across the country. Whether you are fed up of city living and want to relocate to a peaceful fishing village, or the opposite is true and you are considering making the move to a major city, you are certainly spoiled for choice.
Even if you are happy where you are, and are just looking for some travel inspiration, you are sure to find the list helpful. Read on for the Daily Record’s top 20 places to live in Scotland in 2025.
Melrose, Scottish Borders
Melrose is widely considered to be the prettiest town in the Borders, and it is hard to argue with that reputation after seeing it for yourself. Sitting next to the Eildon Hills, it is perhaps best known for the ruined Melrose Abbey that dates back to 1136 — where a container said to hold the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce himself was discovered.
The town itself is a joy to walk around, with a wealth of shops and tea rooms to discover. Meanwhile, when the sun is shining, the town’s two National Trust for Scotland gardens — Priorwood and Harmony Gardens — are both a lovely spot for a wander or even a picnic.
Lossiemouth, Moray
It is hard to live up to the nickname ‘Riviera of the North’, but with its two gorgeous sandy beaches and mouthwatering fish suppers, Lossiemouth easily deserves the title. A scenic escape from the hustle and bustle, the tranquil town offers a wide selection of peaceful walks to head out on.
Nestled along the lovely Moray coast, most of Lossiemouth sits on top of a cliff and so offers gorgeous views out over the water. Meanwhile, in terms of food, the aforementioned fish suppers come courtesy of the renowned Lossie Chip Shop, while The Steamboat Bar is a local institution that is beloved for its friendly service and bustling atmosphere.
Portree, Isle of Skye
While the Isle of Skye is home to a wide variety of charming villages that offer true quiet and privacy, its capital town of Portree finds the perfect balance between peaceful island living and the bustling energy of a market town. Dating back around 200 years, it started life as a fishing village but has grown into a thriving seaside community.
Portree is centred around a gorgeous natural harbour, while the award-winning Aros Centre is its main cultural hub — hosting frequent concerts and film screenings. The town’s culinary scene is also surprisingly varied given its relatively small size, with seafood specialists The Lower Deck, small plates restaurant Scorrybreac, and cosy pub The Isles Inn being among the standouts.
Aberdeen
The only city in Scotland to appear on our list, Aberdeen is long overdue for a reappraisal. The Granite City may not be as popular as Edinburgh or Glasgow, but it offers everything that you could want out of a city — with a significantly cheaper cost of living.
From the picturesque and clean Aberdeen Beach and beautiful Duthie Park Winter Gardens to the fascinating Aberdeen Maritime Museum, there is no shortage of ways to spend a day out in the city. Elsewhere, when it comes to food, the jewels in Aberdeen’s crown are the Michelin-recommended Café Bohème and Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish.
St Monans, Fife
The East Neuk of Fife is often regarded as one of the most picturesque areas in Scotland, and after spending a few hours in St Monans there is no way you won’t agree. The small village, found around 12 miles out of St Andrews, is the smallest of the fishing ports in the East Neuk and so is ideal if you are looking for somewhere far from the chaos of city living.
Home to colourful fishermen’s cottages and a romantic three-pier harbour, you would be forgiven for thinking you have been transported back hundreds of years in time. Situated on the Fife Coastal Path walking route, there is plenty of opportunity for scenic hikes in St Monans too.
Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross
Nestled along the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire, Dunkeld is a village where time seems to stand still. Walking around its quiet streets and perusing its various independent stores and bakeries, you can almost feel the stresses of modern life melting away.
Stanley Hill Park is the place to head for a walk or picnic, while landmarks like the breathtaking Dunkeld Cathedral and Atholl Memorial Fountain at the centre of town give the sense that history is all around you. Food lovers are also spoilt for choice, with the Atholl Arms Hotel and Redwood Wines being just a few of the restaurants that serve up tasty home-cooked plates.
North Berwick, East Lothian
This seaside town and former royal burgh’s reputation precedes it, with North Berwick frequently named on lists of the prettiest destinations in Scotland. In this case, though, the hype is more than justified.
Just 30 minutes out of Edinburgh by train, North Berwick couldn’t feel further away from the Scottish capital in vibe. From its numerous beaches and world-famous golf courses to its various chippies and ice cream parlours, it has the atmosphere of a classic seaside resort.
Arbroath, Angus
The biggest settlement in Angus, Arbroath still feels small — in the best possible way. It offers the best of both worlds: the amenities of a large town and the attractive harbour and sandy beaches of a small fishing village.
Maybe most famous for its Arbroath Smokie delicacy — haddock smoked over wood fires — there is plenty else going on in terms of food in Arbroath. The Old Boatyard Restaurant specialises in fresh seafood dishes, using only the finest locally-sourced ingredients, while Copper Oven is a pizzeria that serves up Neapolitan-style pizza, small-plate antipasti, and ice cream.
Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway
If you are a book lover, then this peaceful Dumfries and Galloway town will be a haven. Officially declared Scotland’s National Book Town back in 1998, Wigtown features a wide range of bookstores and literature-related businesses.
As if that wasn’t enough, every year in September the town hosts the annual Wigtown Book Festival. Featuring an enormous programme of panels, workshops, and more for all ages, the festival only cements Wigtown’s status as a paradise for bibliophiles.
Lerwick, Shetland
Shetland’s main town and port, Lerwick is home to a sizeable chunk of the archipelago’s 22,000 residents. This makes it the perfect base from which you can explore the islands, featuring all of the amenities you would want and need in a peaceful and friendly setting.
When it comes to things to do around Lerwick, the Mareel music, cinema, and creative industries centre hosts regular performances and productions. Meanwhile, the Shetland Museum and Archives is the place to head to learn more about Shetland’s unique heritage and culture.
At the end of January each year, Lerwick hosts Up Helly Aa – Europe’s biggest fire festival. Hundreds of local men carry paraffin torches around the town before launching them onto a Viking longboat and partying the night away in various halls throughout the town. The procession is led by the Guizer Jarl, who has waited 15 years for his time as the chief, and his Jarl Squad, dressed in their Viking warrior outfits.
Plockton, Wester Ross
Home to a population of less than 500, Plockton in the Wester Ross area of the Scottish Highlands is a true escape. If you have ever dreamed of getting away from the noise of city living and starting over, this is the kind of place you could imagine doing it.
Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Highlands’, Plockton is tucked along the shores of a sheltered bay and offers magnificent views out across the tranquil Loch Carron. A village is nothing without a good local chippy, though, and thankfully The Shores is easily one of the best in the whole of Scotland.
Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
This gorgeous harbour town south of Aberdeen may be most famous for its annual Hogmanay ceremony, but that is far from all it has to offer. In fact, Stonehaven is an unforgettable destination that is known for its one-of-a-kind character and charm.
Stonehaven is framed by its harbour, which is the biggest of the recreational harbours in Aberdeenshire, while top local highlights include Dunnottar Castle and the Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool. You can also head to the renowned Ship Inn, which serves up a wide array of mouthwatering food and drink.
Kirkwall, Orkney
Kirkwall is the largest town and main settlement on Orkney, home to a population of around 10,000. Like Lerwick, it is the perfect base from which you can explore the fascinating and picturesque surrounding islands.
Home to both the breathtaking 12th century St Magnus Cathedral and the award-winning Highland Park whisky distillery, there is actually no shortage of ways you can spend your free time in Kirkwall. There is plenty on offer when it comes to food as well, with standouts including the traditional railroad-style Helgi’s pub and the boutique Storehouse hotel and restaurant.
Applecross, Wester Ross
Affectionately known by locals as ‘The Street’, Applecross is mainly centred around one long road that is home to most of its sights. Set within the scenic peninsula of the same name in Wester Ross, the one-of-a-kind vistas around Applecross almost make you feel like you are on the edge of the world.
Hard to reach, accessible only via a drive that is as difficult and winding as it is spectacular, Applecross is the place to head if you want to feel as far removed from modern civilisation as you can. That’s not to say the village has nothing to offer, though, with an art gallery, a gift shop, and the cosy Applecross Inn being a few of the businesses worth checking out.
Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute
A lovely Victorian holiday resort sitting along the River Clyde, Helensburgh is home to attractive buildings, pretty streets lined with trees, and wealth of green space. Accessible from Glasgow in less than an hour, it is the ideal spot for those who want to be near Scotland’s largest city but still have the benefits of living in a smaller town.
Aside from its wide variety of independent stores and cafés, some of the top sights in Helensburgh include The Hill House and the Scottish Submarine Centre. The former is widely regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece, while the latter offers an immersive experience in which visitors can learn all about submarines and how they work.
Innerleithen, Scottish Borders
In the heart of the Scottish Borders, less than an hour from Edinburgh by car, is the peaceful and unassuming town of Innerleithen. Lying between the bigger and more popular settlements of Peebles and Galashiels, Innerleithen is the perfect destination for those who want to be close to the action but not in the middle of it.
Despite its small size, there is plenty going on around town to keep it from being boring. Its main street is lined with a variety of antique and book shops, while the Traquair Arms Hotel is a great spot for a pint or meal and the nearby 7stanes Innerleithen is widely considered to be among the top mountain biking destinations in the whole of the UK.
Dunblane, Stirling
This small and peaceful town is found just a few miles out of Stirling, but can be easily reached from any of Scotland’s cities by train. Said to have been founded all the way back in the year 602 by Celtic missionary St Blane, Dunblane has long been an important market town.
The magnificent Allan Water runs through the centre of town, with the river’s banks being the perfect spot for a peaceful walk. Elsewhere, some of Dunblane’s highlights include the centuries-old Dunblane Cathedral and Andy Murray’s Gold Post Box — with the tennis superstar growing up in the town.
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire
Regularly called the ‘Canal Capital of Scotland’, Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire dates all the way back to the Roman era. Lying along the Forth and Clyde Canal, it draws water-borne tourists from across the UK and beyond.
As well as its fascinating heritage, Kirkintilloch is today also known amongst locals and visitors alike for its vibrant food scene. Italian restaurant Café Mariana, Japanese specialists Nigiri, and trendy spot The Grove are just a few of the standout eateries.
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
Pronounced ‘kir–coo–bree’, Kirkcudbright is a pleasant harbour town tucked along the Solway coast. For hundreds of years, it has been popular amongst artists — and looking at its white and pastel-coloured buildings it is easy to see why.
In a nod to the town’s art heritage, the Tolbooth Art Centre and Harbour Cottage Gallery are among its top sights. Kirkcudbright is also home to a wide selection of charming independent shops, and even a bustling monthly farmers’ market where the top local produce in the area is showcased and sold.
Linlithgow, West Lothian
The ancient town of Linlithgow is probably most famous as the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was born at Linlithgow Palace in 1542. The town isn’t stuck in the past, however, with it being home to hundreds of businesses that range from buzzy bars and restaurants to stylish boutique clothes shops.
In Linlithgow, you also have easy access to a huge variety of picturesque walking trails thanks to the nearby Beecraigs Country Park. With more than 370 acres to explore, the sprawling park includes mountain bike trails, an adventure play area for kids, and even a caravan and camping site.
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