Scotland’s happiest places to live revealed as sleepy village takes top spot

THE happiest places to live in Scotland have been revealed in a new study.

Researchers at online store Furniturebox polled 5,000 people on the beauty of each location’s surroundings and green spaces, the provision of good state schools, and affordable housing available.

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Access to quality pubs, restaurants, independent shops and cultural attractions were also factors taken into account.

The Aberdeenshire village of Aboyne was the highest rated location in a list of the 70 happiest places.

Aboyne is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, with a range of activities on offer including walking, mountain biking, and skiing. It’s also close to the Glenshee and Lecht Ski Resorts.

Aboyne Lodge Junior Mixed and Infant School is highly rated by the public, as is the The Boat Inn hotel, bar and restaurant.

In second, third, fourth and fifth place respectively is Melrose in the Scottish Borders, Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, Kinross in Perthshire and Biggar in South Lanarkshire.

A Furniturebox spokesperson said: “Aboyne is the happiest place to live in Scotland.

“All 70 places on the list would have been worthy winners and show why the UK is such a wonderful place to live, loved by visitors from all over the world.

“Most of the locations in the top 70 are not the most affluent in their localities and have access to some affordable housing.

“The survey shows that the happiest places are not defined by wealth but by the quality of life within them.”

The full ranking is as follows:

1. Aboyne
2. Melrose
3. Newton Mearns
4. Kinross
5. Biggar
6. New Town, Edinburgh
7. Dunfermline
8. Inverness
9. Dunblane
10. Kelso

We recently revealed Scotland is home to four of the best areas for young families in the UK.

Researchers analysed factors such as average house prices, crime rates, and proximity to parks and libraries.

Scotland performed well in the ranking, with four of the ten best regions located in the country: East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire and Outer Hebrides.