Leith named best place to live in Scotland
It's knocked Dundee off the top of the annual Sunday Times list
Leith has been named the best place to live in Scotland by the annual Sunday Times list.
It's knocked Dundee off the top of the rankings, although the city remains in the top ten alongside the likes of Cromarty in the Highlands and Dunblane.
The study is based on a number of factors, from schools, transport and broadband speed to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street to produce the definitive guide to the UK's finest locations to call home.
Judges were apparently impressed by Leith's diversity, the impressive repurposed industrial buildings, including a former biscuit factory which has become a gin distillery, and its trendy places to eat including Tom Kitchin’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
Helen Davies, The Sunday Times Home editor said: "Our advice is simple. Think about everything you love and everything you hate, then make sure you have access to the good things while minimising exposure to the bad ones. And we’re here to help.
“Never has where you live felt more important. This year we have, along with house prices, air quality, good schools and access to green spaces, championed locations that have showcased great community spirit.
“The feeling of involvement in and concern for one's local community is being challenged — and celebrated — as never before. We wish everyone well wherever they live."
The other places in the top ten were North Berwick, Elie and Earlsferry in Fife, Melrose, the Strathbungo area of Glasgow, Elgin and Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway.
Daniel Hegarty, Founder and CEO at Habito, the online mortgage broker said: “There are many factors that contribute to where people choose to live across Scotland.
"Whether that’s buying to be near the green spaces of the Highlands, wanting to become part of a thriving community in towns like Dunblane or to be a bit closer to friends and family across the country.
"Habito helps homeowners get the right mortgage, so they can spend their time finding their best place to call home.
"This year's deserving winner - the Leith area of Edinburgh - demonstrates that the UK's best places to live deliver much more than great real estate; they give people a sense of belonging and somewhere people can live their life to the full.”
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