Inside the Scottish area that was named best place to retire for 'happy later life'
When it comes to places to retire, there is no one right answer. Everyone will have their own preferences, with some prioritising green spaces and others choosing easy access to amenities or family.
However, there are some areas of Scotland that are considered better than others to retire for one reason or another. One was even recently crowned the top destination for retirees in the country.
As previously reported by the Daily Record, experts named the best places to retire in Britain. Coming in at number one for Scotland was Mid Dunbartonshire.
Mid Dunbartonshire is a constituency in Scotland that is found north of Glasgow. It is comprised of many wards of the East Dunbartonshire council area.
The study, which was conducted by Legal & General, saw the experts rank 632 British constituencies based on factors such as housing, health, community, finances, nature, and local amenities. They were all then given an overall rating out of 100, with Mid Dunbartonshire receiving a score of 55.
According to Legal & General, the area earned especially high marks in the financial and social and community engagement categories. It received a rating of 87 out of 100 for the former, while its social and community engagement earned a score of 79.
Meanwhile, the experts singled out Lennoxtown as an especially good destination for retirees. The town, which was previously named Newtown of Campsie, is located at the foot of the Campsie Fells range of hills.
For those looking for easy access to stunning walks when they retire, it is hard to top the Campsie Fells. The picturesque range is unsurprisingly a popular destination amongst hikers, offering both laid-back trails and vigorous hikes.
Despite its small size—home to a population of around just 4,200 people—Lennoxtown has a selection of food spots dotted around. Among these are Cafe Barga on its Main Street and the restaurant at the Glazert Country House Hotel.
Lennoxtown can be easily accessed by road, situated near the M80 and M73 motorways. There are also bus services that connect the town to Glasgow, as well as other nearby towns.
Another settlement that was singled out by the experts is Bearsden. The affluent town is located on the northwest fringe of Greater Glasgow, and is home to approximately 28,000 people.
Bearsden was noted by Legal & General as being a desirable option for retirees who are after a suburban lifestyle. The town was also praised for its local community and spacious properties.
Situated around six miles out of Glasgow's city centre, Bearsden is ideal for those looking for both peaceful surroundings and easy access to city amenities. The town itself is also home to a variety of independent shops selling everything from groceries to clothes.
Popular eateries around Bearsden include The Burnbrae and The Station. The former is a cosy pub that serves up both classic grub and modern dishes, while The Station is a chic modern bar where visitors can enjoy everything from breakfast to cocktails.
In terms of green space, the Kilmardinny Loch nature reserve is a haven of peace and quiet in Bearsden. Centred around a picturesque loch, the reserve also features idyllic woodlands—as well as numerous sculptures of The Gruffalo from the beloved children's book of the same name.
Following behind Mid Dunbartonshire in the Scotland-wide list was Stirling and Strathallan, with a score of 52. This was closely followed by East Renfrewshire and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, which both scored 51.
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