The Sunday Times Best Places To Live Guide has been revealed for 2025, unveiling cities and towns all around the UK. Since the famous list was first started 12 years ago, and Scotland is no exception for regional and national inclusion. North Berwick is officially the best place to live in Scotland, and we couldn’t be happier!
The Sunday Times Best Places To Live list is curated by judges who go and visit different locations around the UK, determining factors such as broadband speeds and schools, as well as more miscellaneous things like access to green space or culture.
This year, the list contained 72 places, with the quaint seaside town of North Berwick receiving its well-deserved first place for Scotland.
Last year, North Berwick was the overall best place to live in the UK, and it is still well-recognised on the list.
North Berwick is located just 45 minutes from Edinburgh, offering easy links to the city via both public transport and car. The town’s lifestyle centring around its two beaches has been praised, boasting plenty of local independent businesses and a booming high street. Family-friendly homes and the quality of schools were also named as noteworthy for the best place to live in the UK.
Best places to live in Scotland
- North Berwick
- Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross
- Cullen, Moray
- East Neuk, Fife
- Milngavie, Dumbartonshire
- Stockbridge, Edinburgh
- Strathbungo, Glasgow
- Tiree, Argyll
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor said:
“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there,” Davies says. “That means we can see what people really love about the places they live. That could be anything from exceptional schools and fast trains to beautiful houses and countryside.
The health of the high street is important, but more than anything else, what we are looking for are towns, villages and cities with strong communities who work hard to make the best of where they live, and play hard too.
We also consider affordability. High house prices are no barrier to inclusion – as long as they provide value for money. Different people will be looking for different qualities when they are choosing a place to live. One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.”