Best Towns and Villages in the East of Scotland
With beaches, castles, cathedrals and incredibly scenery, Scotland is a country that has so much to offer. The cities in Scotland, including the capital, Edinburgh, are busy, bustling and full of culture.
The average cost of a house in Edinburgh is currently around £268,000, which is slightly higher than the rest of the UK - according to Land Registry data, as of October 2017, the average house price in the UK is £223,807.
The East of Scotland is home to Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and St Andrews, but for those looking for a new home, but not wanting to be based in the heart of a busy city, the East of Scotland is also home to some beautiful small towns and villages, many with easy access to the bigger cities for those needing to commute.
We take a look at some of the best towns and villages to live in across the East of Scotland…
Linlithgow
20 miles to the west of Edinburgh is Linlithgow, situated in West Lothian. Steeped in history, the remains of Linlithgow Palace is one of the village’s main attractions, and was the birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow has its own railway station, with frequent direct trains to Edinburgh taking just over 20 minutes, making it popular with commuters. It is also close to both the M8 and M9, and residents can easily reach Glasgow and Stirling, as well as Edinburgh. The village has five primary schools, and is where Linlithgow Academy is, which is frequently rated as one of the top schools in Scotland.
Haddington
A small town in East Lothian, Haddington is located on the A1, which links Edinburgh with London. Haddington has a good selection of shops and is home to several schools, including The Compass School, an independent primary school. Haddington is an area that has several new homes available for sale from well-known developers such as Ogilvie Homes and David Wilson Homes.
View new homes for sale in Haddington
Stonehaven
Just 20 minutes by rail from Aberdeen, Stonehaven is a town on the north-east coast of Scotland. It has three primary schools, a secondary school and a special needs school. Stonehaven also has direct trains to Edinburgh which take just over two hours. Keen swimmers will love the Olympic-sized outdoor heated swimming pool, and it is also home to sandy beaches and award-winning fish and chips. Tourism and marine services are the main industries in the town, but Stonehaven’s location means it is popular with those commuting to Aberdeen.
Cupar
A picturesque town in Fife and situated by the River Eden, Cupar is home to an impressive number of historic buildings, including Preston Lodge, the Corn Exchange and the Mercat Cross. Fife Council is the largest employer in the area, and the food and drink industry employs many people in Cupar. Edinburgh can be reached in just over an hour by train, and Dundee is just 23 minutes away. Cupar also has an express bus service, connecting residents to Edinburgh and St Andrews. There are two primary schools and one secondary school.
Edzell
A village in Angus, Edzell is around 30 miles from Dundee. Known as the ‘jewel in the crown of Angus’, Edzell is home to the sandstone ruins of Edzell Castle, picturesque riverside walks and charming tearooms. There is also a post office, hairdressers and some B&Bs. Golf lovers will enjoy tee-ing off at Edzell Golf Club, which is a popular tourist attraction.
Maddiston
With a long history dating back to 1424, Maddiston is a village just under four miles away from Linlithgow. Polmont is the closest rail station, around a three-minute drive away, where residents can reach Edinburgh in just under half an hour. Stirling is just 23 minutes away by train, and Glasgow takes 25 minutes.
View new homes available for sale in Maddiston