Happiest place accolade for Galashiels

THE Scottish Borders town of Galashiels has been named the second ‘happiest place’ in the UK.

According to the property portal, Rightmove, Galashiels is second only to St Ives, in Cornwall, in the index, Happy at Home.

Says Rightmove, here: “Our annual survey is now in its 11th year, and this year we heard from more than 21,000 people living in towns, cities and villages up and down the nation.

“Residents score their local areas on things like community spirit, and how much access they have to nature and green spaces, as well as artistic and cultural activities.”

Other Scots entries in the top ten are Perth (sixth) and Stirling (ninth).

The top ten reads as follows (in brackets: average house price, average monthly rent):

St Ives (£523,731, £1,152)

Galashiels (£153,546, £530)

Woodbridge (£481,978, £1,196)

Hexham (£262,265, £810)

Perth (£179,410, £812)

Harrogate (£381,124, £1,327)

Anglesey (£324,048, £766)

Bury St Edmonds (£334,160, £1,368)

Stirling (£197,075, £990)

Cirencester (£382,065, £1,331)

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland