Happiest place in Scotland named as it awarded ‘golden’ status in global ranking

THE happiest city in the Scotland has been revealed – and it’s home to one of the best pubs in the world.

Recent research from the Happy City Index (HCI) revealed the world’s happiest cities, with one Scottish city creeping into the top twenty.

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The cities were ranked based on “thousands of indicators” that were whittled down into five key categories, including citizens, governance, environment, economy and mobility.

Each category was measured against a resident’s quality of life and sense of happiness.

A score was then awarded for each category before being combined together to determine an overall score.

On their website, the Happy City Index explained their methodology ans said: “Since every city is a moving landscape, their activity must be periodically verified, especially with regard to the quality of public services provided and place-based knowledge, in response to new challenges that arise. We do that every day and publish once a year.”

The annual report named Aarhus (Denmark’s second-largest city) as the happiest city in the world.

Zurich in Switzerland nabbed second place, while the German capital of Berlin took the third spot.

And Edinburgh was the only Scottish city listed in the top 20, coming in at fifteen place.

Auld Reekie was granted golden status by the Institute for the Quality of Life who grade the cities.

But Glasgow, Scotland‘s largest city, limped behind at 134th on the index.

No other Scottish cities made the list this year.

What is there to do in Edinburgh?

EDINBURGH’S sights are among some of the most striking in the whole of Europe.

From the castle and Arthur‘s Seat to the National Galleries of Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden, the capital has a wealth of attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

But we previously told how there is a pub in the capital that some locals don’t even know about has been named as one of the best in the world.

Food and Wine, an American-based magazine, shared its list of top international bars as part of their Global Tastemakers survey.

And one bar in Scotland made it onto the prestigious list.

Panda & Sons in Edinburgh was named second best in the world.

The speakeasy-inspired venue is best known for offering up innovative cocktails, a robust wine list and craft beer.

The bar, located on the capital’s Queen Street, is disguised by a vintage barber shop front.

Elsewhere we told how a luxury Edinburgh hotel with a controversial “walnut whip” design is up for sale – just seven months after opening.

And a love story came true for six people after their partners popped the question during Taylor Swift’s concerts in Edinburgh.