Top places to retire in Scotland revealed as two locations named among best in UK
The research looks at a number of factors including affordability and entertainment
LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Top places to retire in Scotland revealed as two locations named among best in UK
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
TWO locations in Scotland have been recognised as some of the best places for retiring pensioners, according to new data.
The over-50s members' site, Rest Less, investigated which destinations are best suited for an ageing population.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
Glasgow is one of the best places to retire according to new data
Credit: Getty
3
Edinburgh was also ranked on the list
Credit: Getty
The research, conducted by the estate agent comparison site GetAgent.co.uk, analysed areas with the highest proportion of retirement properties for sale, as well as the ratio of homes sold to available stock.
Various factors were considered, including property prices, crime rates, amenities, and entertainment options.
Out of the entire UK, Glasgow and Edinburgh were the only Scottish cities featured in the top 14 list compiled by the website.
Edinburgh ranked eleventh overall across the UK for retirees.
The Scottish capital has consistently been regarded as one of the most desirable retirement locations in the country and even secured the top spot in 2019.
Both cities in Scotland's central belt were commended for their cultural significance.
With dozens of historic sites, museums, and attractions, as well as the world's largest arts festival, "cosmopolitan" Edinburgh has plenty for those looking to be kept busy in their golden era.
But "attractive points" meant house prices in Auld Reekie are way higher than the Scottish average, at around £338,307.
Glasgow was celebrated as a cheaper alternative, coming in number 13 on the top list.
The city is home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, with plenty to see and do for the older generation.
Scottish State Pensioners to Receive Winter Fuel Payment Boost in 2025
Last year, Glasgow was named one of the best cities to retire to because of "key factors" like its cost of living and the amenities on offer.
But punters were warned that Glasgow is the "least peaceful" of all the major cities listed.
Instead, villages were also recommended to retire to, like Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch, or Houston - all within an hour of Scotland's largest city.
Elsewhere, topping the overall UK-wide list as the number one city to retire is Plymouth in England's south Devon coast.
Here, you'll find harbour side cafes and restaurants, historic pubs, with 50 parks and churches, and plenty of cinemas and sports clubs.
York, Swansea and Sussex also got a mention in the top five.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Scottish holidaymakers warned over looming strikes at Glasgow Airport
Unite the union said workers at Glasgow Airport Ltd, ICTS Central Search, Swissport, Menzies Aviation and Falck could be balloted for walkouts. The union said on Saturday that if there is no successful resolution to the disputes in the coming days, it will move towards holding votes on industrial action within two weeks. It warned strikes could 'ground planes and passengers'. READ MORE: Scottish architect firm appointed to save historic home of Robert Burns Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said walkouts could be held from the middle of July. More than 100 Swissport workers are locked in a dispute about rotas and work-life balance, according to Unite. It said the company 'is demanding that workers at extreme short notice have to work shifts at various times and for various durations, which is directly impacting on their personal lives'. Unite said some Swissport staff are 'struggling with chronic fatigue'. A further 250 ICTS Central Search workers, who deal with passengers directly in the security search area and process them for flights, are currently involved in a dispute over under-staffing, working conditions and pay. A total of 120 workers employed by Glasgow Airport Limited have rejected a basic 3.6% pay increase, with staff including airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers involved. The same 3.6% pay increase was rejected by 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport. Meanwhile, 300 Menzies Aviation workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents and controllers, have rejected a basic uplift worth around 4.25%. The union recently announced a series of what it said were wage wins for 100 North Air workers across Scottish airports, and more than 140 staff based at Glasgow Airport employed by ABM and OCS. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (above) said: 'Hundreds of workers at Glasgow Airport are heading towards summer strike action which would ground planes and passengers. 'The companies involved are all highly profitable and can easily afford to give our members better pay and working conditions. 'The truth is that they are denying fair pay increases to cynically boost their profits.' McIlvogue said: 'Unite is in dispute with companies at Glasgow Airport, which could ultimately bring hundreds of workers out on strike. 'The companies can resolve these disputes with Unite before that situation happens by addressing the legitimate concerns and pay aspirations of our members. 'If the companies refuse to work with Unite to resolve these disputes, then we will have no option but to open strike ballots. This could mean strike action happening from the middle of July.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Amazon shoppers rush to buy ‘stylish powerhouse' £140 MagSafe portable charger – now just £27
I'VE tested my fair share of portable chargers, and this one ticks all the right boxes. The Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank is on sale right now, down 81% from £139.99 to just £26.99, and it has everything you need. Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank, £139.99 £26.99 BUY FROM AMAZON Amazon's no stranger to solid tech deals, but this one feels like it's punching well above its price tag. For under thirty quid, you're getting a 10,000mAh portable charger that's slim, travel-friendly, and loaded with features. It supports wireless charging and comes with two built-in cables, one Type-C and one Lightning, as well as two additional ports. That's a rare combo, and a design you usually only see in premium models that cost two or three times as much. Now, let's be honest, £139.99 may have been stretching it a bit. But £26.99 is a real bargain for what you're getting here, and it's the kind of deal I wouldn't think twice about if you need a reliable power bank. I've tested plenty of chargers in search of the best power banks out there, and this one hits that sweet spot between practicality and price. It's compact, lightweight, and genuinely useful for everyday life, whether that's commuting, travelling, or just for a quick top-up on the go. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. The reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with a near-perfect 4.9-star average and hundreds of buyers singing its praises. I haven't had this one in my hand yet, but in my opinion, it has everything I'd want in a portable charger. It's designed with iPhones in mind, supporting wireless charging from the 12 series all the way up to the latest iPhone 16 models. It even sticks to MagSafe-compatible cases, so it stays put while it charges. If you're not clear on the mechanics of wireless charging, our tech experts have a straightforward guide on how iPhone wireless charging works. But the Aobbow is far from limited to Apple gear, it supports wireless charging for Android phones, tablets, and other USB-C devices. The built-in display shows you exactly how much charge is left, which is a small touch that makes a big difference. And when you make full use of it, you can juice up to five devices at once, so it's great for family trips or group travel. People who've bought it seem genuinely impressed. One reviewer called it a 'stylish powerhouse,' adding, 'It gave my iPhone 15 about 50% juice in just 30 minutes. 'The 10,000mAh capacity easily delivers 1.5–2 full charges depending on your model.' Another praised its convenience, saying, 'It snaps right onto my phone and charges fast with the 20W. 'The built-in cables are a great bonus, and it's compact enough to carry daily. Great design, fast charging, and no hassle.' If you're after a reliable, well-equipped power bank that won't cost a fortune, this one's worth grabbing while it's around.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Prestwick Airport flights win and Royal Bank of Scotland journey
Ian Forgie, chief executive of Prestwick Airport, hailed this agreement with China Southern Air Logistics as a 'game changer'. In doing so, he echoed the phrase used by Nico Le Roux, head of cargo operations at Prestwick, about e-commerce flights in February, after the airport won major business from Hong Kong. It has been fascinating to observe, and write about, Prestwick Airport's big push on the cargo side of its business, and its focus on winning e-commerce traffic. Mr Le Roux in February revealed the airport's expectations that cargo revenues would more than treble to in excess of £10 million a year. He was speaking hours before the arrival of the first Hong Kong Air Cargo flight at Prestwick, bringing packages ordered by UK and Irish consumers on the likes of the Temu, SHEIN, and TikTok platforms. Cargo revenues at the airport, which is known officially as Glasgow Prestwick Airport, totalled £3.228 million in the year to March 31, 2024. Mr Le Roux revealed his expectation that cargo revenues would be more than treble that level in the airport's financial year to March 31, 2026, on the back of recent new business wins. The agreement between Prestwick Airport and China Southern Air Logistics has seen the carrier start scheduled cargo flights at four per week between Guangzhou and Prestwick, with plans for this to increase to a daily service. The first of these scheduled flights landed on May 16 at Prestwick Airport, which described the freighter services as 'a new direct export route to China from Scotland for high-value Scottish seafood and whisky'. Prestwick Airport, when it announced the arrival of China Southern Air Logistics on May 16, noted it had invested £2.3 million in equipment in the past 12 months. It also highlighted its continued investment in ground-handling equipment and cool chain supply facilities, as well as the building of its workforce, to maximise its capabilities in handling large freighters. The investment at Prestwick, which has included equipment to handle the wide-door Airbus A350 cargo aircraft, was plain in February when I went airside with Mr Le Roux. My subsequent column in The Herald on May 21 declared: 'It is most encouraging to see all the planning and investment at Prestwick Airport coming together.' It added: 'The airport makes a very important economic contribution to Ayrshire and more broadly to Scotland, one that is too often disregarded by the politically motivated carpers. These detractors also seem to forget that the airport supports an aerospace cluster in and around it which employs about 4,000 people, or maybe they just do not really care about this. 'Prestwick Airport's growing success is all the more reason for the Scottish Government to ensure that any sale is made with the future prosperity of this strategic asset, including on the employment front, in mind.' The column observed there was no reason to believe this would not be the case. When I asked Kate Forbes about the future of Prestwick Airport in April, in the wake of First Minister John Swinney confirming the existence of an 'active bid' in late March, she said: 'We have obviously saved Prestwick Airport more than a decade ago, precisely because of its strategic importance to the Scottish economy. 'If and when Prestwick is sold, it will be for the new owner to develop a business case.' Read more Deputy First Minister Ms Forbes, who highlighted Prestwick Airport's cargo operations, declared: 'We have set out very clear lines that we want Prestwick to continue to operate as an airport.' The institution formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland (now NatWest Group) has also been in focus in the past month as it has headed towards full private ownership. In a column in The Herald, I reflected on having covered the institution's rollercoaster ride over the past three decades. This article addressed the 'perennial big question' in the mid-1990s, observing: 'Back in the mid-1990s, Royal Bank was progressing solidly but the big question which perennially hung over it, as it did over rival Bank of Scotland, was whether the institution would be swallowed up by one of the big London players.' The column went on to recall the frenetic bid battle to buy big four UK bank NatWest between these two Edinburgh clearing banks, in which Royal Bank of Scotland ultimately prevailed. The column highlighted the 'good times' that followed. It then recalled, in 2007, Royal Bank's hostile bid, in a consortium with Santander and Fortis, for Dutch bank ABN Amro. The column observed: 'By the time the acquisition of ABN Amro was completed by the Royal Bank consortium in October 2007, there had already been signs of what turned out to be the emergence of the global financial crisis that was going to take a lurch for the worse less than a year later with the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008.' In autumn 2008, Royal Bank had to be bailed out by the UK taxpayer, ultimately to the tune of £45.5 billion. The article noted: 'It was not entirely clear at the time but this was to mark the beginning of the end of Royal Bank being an institution based in Scotland.' Mulling the shift of control to London, the column observed: 'Stephen Hester succeeded Mr Goodwin as chief executive of Royal Bank amid the global financial crisis. He appeared acutely aware of Royal Bank's importance to Scotland, visiting The Herald's offices soon after taking up the role. New Zealander Ross McEwan then took up the top job in late 2013. 'There were signs that the nerve centre was gradually moving to London. However, it was only in the immediate wake of Alison Rose's appointment as chief executive in late 2019 that it could be stated definitively that this had happened. The key was that her contract stated she would be based in London. Paul Thwaite, who succeeded Dame Alison in summer 2023 and looks to have done a good job in raising the institution's profits, is also based in London and has made no bones about this.' In February 2020, not long after Dame Alison took the top job, a momentous name change was revealed. It was announced that Royal Bank of Scotland's name would be changed at parent company level to NatWest Group, and this took effect in July that year. The column concluded: 'Dame Alison, who joined NatWest as a graduate trainee, worked for the London bank at the time Royal Bank acquired it in 2000. 'With the confirmation of the move in where the bank was being run from and the name change, it looked as if things had turned very much full circle and, in terms of the London-Edinburgh dynamic, the boot was very much on the other foot.' This article was first published in The Herald's Business HQ Monthly supplement
