Discover some of our top reasons to live in Scotland and hear first-hand experiences of what makes it such a great destination.
1. Opportunities to explore Scotland
Scotland is a beautiful place to explore with jaw-dropping natural landscapes. By living in Scotland, you’ll have the opportunity to explore our historic towns, vibrant cities and Highlands and Islands.
From experiencing Edinburgh’s summer festivals and Glasgow’s iconic music venues to exploring the cultural attractions and scenic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, there’s something to suit everyone.
Find out more about exploring Scotland at VisitScotland.
Photo credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam
2. Be part of Scotland’s open and welcoming society
Scotland is world-renowned for its incredible warmth and friendliness. We love to make others feel at home!
Catarina from Italy is studying Marketing and PR at Queen Margaret University and says: “I have found it a very welcoming environment and people are very open to wherever you’re from, so I’ve never felt like I didn’t belong here.”
We also love a party in Scotland! From Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) street parties to Burns Night celebrations, we love to get together and welcome others with open arms to join in on the festivities. There’s always something going on, no matter the time of year!
Find out more about Moving to Scotland.
3. World-class education
Scotland is home to a wide range of top universities, colleges and schools, making it a great choice for studying.
Did you know that three of Scotland’s universities are ranked in the Times Higher Education Top 200 in the world? Scottish universities are also leading the way in cutting-edge areas such as biotechnology, AI (artificial intelligence) and life sciences.
Ranjvir from India studies Psychology and French at the University of Dundee and says: “I really enjoy my course. My lecturers are amazing and outside of the university as well, I’ve made some really nice friends.”
Discover more about studying in Scotland.
4. Great career prospects
If you’re thinking of moving to Scotland, you might be surprised by the great career prospects on offer. We have some amazing opportunities in a wide range of innovative job sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and gaming.
Whether you choose a global giant like Amazon or Morgan Stanley or a home-grown success story like Skyscanner or 4J Studios, you’ll find lots of innovative companies to choose from.
Learn more about the career opportunities on offer in Scotland.
5. Experience Scottish lifestyle
If you’re thinking of moving to Scotland for work, you’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of leisure time! Scotland benefits from an average of 17 hours of daylight during the summer months meaning that there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy time by the beach, outdoor activities, or an evening walk.
Scotland also hosts some of the biggest bands in the world and is a common stop for major tours. We also host a range of festivals such as the world-famous Edinburgh Festivals so there’s certainly no shortage of things to do!
6. Scotland’s diverse culture
In Scotland, we’re known for our rich and diverse culture which dates back almost a thousand years. By living in Scotland, you’ll be able to experience our vibrant culture for yourself.
You can also get involved in the Highland Games that take place in Scotland annually.
By living in Scotland, you can also experience our sporting traditions which play a huge role in our culture. We can lay claim to the invention or early development of numerous sports such as football, golf, hockey, rugby and tennis.
Find out more about Scottish culture.
Come and join us
With a vibrant culture, world-renowned education system and reputation for providing a warm welcome, no wonder you’re thinking of moving to Scotland!
If you’re ready to move to Scotland discover our practical checklist of tasks that will ease you into life here. You can also check out our detailed guide on where to live in Scotland.
If you have recently moved to Scotland, find out more information and advice for people who have recently moved to Scotland, international students, employers and investors.
Header and listing image credit: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam