North Berwick named best place to live in Scotland

Residents will tell you that North Berwick is definitely the best place to live in Scotland.

And now authors of one of the country’s most influential lifestyle guides agree.

The East Lothian seaside town was assessed on a wide range of factors – including jobs, exam results, broadband speed, culture, community spirit and local shops – and ticked every box.

With a population of just under 7000, more and more families move to the area each year, while sailors, rowers and paddleboarders enthusiastically float around waters which are rich in wildlife.

Foodies also hail North Berwick as something of a paradise, with a selection of fashionable eateries and a lobster hatchery on the menu.

Experts citied the close proximity of tourist attractions such as the Scottish Seabird Centre and the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune as big selling points.

Carol-Ann Oakley, the owner of Tulipa, a florist on the town’s high street, said the accolade – to be bestowed by The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide this weekend – was well deserved.

She said: “North Berwick is a lovely place to work for many reasons.

“It’s a beautiful setting as we are by the sea, the local people are very friendly and the area is very is popular with tourists.

“There’s always a lovely atmosphere here.

“I think the fact North Berwick has been named the best place to live in Scotland is great for all of us.”

Edinburgh will also get a special mention in the latest edition of the annual guide when the Capital is named in The Sunday Times Best Places Top 20 perennials, marking the places that have appeared in almost every list over the past five years.

The newspaper will also name Cramond as one of the best places in Scotland to live, alongside Melrose in the Scottish Borders, Dunblane near Stirling and Dundee.

Tourism chiefs said North Berwick was well placed to benefit from the new honour.

Manuela Calchini, regional director at VisitScotland, said: “From stunning coastal scenery to beautiful wildlife and fantastic food and drink, it is easy to see why North Berwick has topped this list of places to live in Scotland.

“With a championship golf course, an exciting events programme and the five-star Scottish Seabird Centre, the seaside town offers lots for visitors to enjoy too.”

The Sunday Times home editor Helen Davies said: “This is the fifth year we have compiled the list and this year’s is even bigger and better – the guide is more personal, more detailed and more comprehensive than ever before.”

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