In a poll by The Sunday Times Leith has been named the best place to live in the whole of the country.
It tops a list of 10 Scottish locations all chosen by The Sunday Times in the annual Best Places to Live guide. The overall winner will be published in this Sunday’s paper and in more detail online.
The factors which judges consider include schools, transport, broadband speed and culture. Then there are green spaces and the High Street.
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.”
Edinburgh’s former port district Leith returns to the list to be named the winner in Scotland. It is described by The Sunday Times’s judges as a breath of fresh air. It is noted for its 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.
Irvine Welsh, the best-selling author of Trainspotting, who was born in Leith, responded to the award by saying: “Leith is the sexiest place in the world and it’s the home of Hibs, the sexiest club on earth. Of course people want to live there.”
North Berwick in East Lothian,an upmarket seaside destination only half an hour from the capital also returns to the list. Returning to the list is the cultured and beautiful Highland village of Cromarty, praised for its coastline, new cinema and calendar of arts events. Another location with a rich shoreline and thriving community spirit that featuresis Elie and Earlsferry in Fife.
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