GALASHIELS has been voted happiest place to live in Scotland in a Rightmove poll for the second year running
The Borders town was also rated 15th overall in the UK. Inverness which ranked 53rd in the UK was second in Scotland.
Gala was also found to be the cheapest on the list with an average house asking price of £163,634.
Rent was also found to be the cheapest in the index with an average asking rent of £700 per calendar month.
Each year, Rightmove ask people to tell them what makes them happy about where they live, and what makes it special.
The survey asks residents how they feel about their area based on 13 happiness factors.
These include things like the club-together community spirit of a local area, having green space on the doorstep, or the sense of belonging in a local community.
This year, more than 26,000 people living in towns, cities and villages across Great Britain have told us how they feel about their local areas, and the things that are the most important to them.
And based on the scores people gave their local areas, Rightmove ranked the happiest places to live.
While amenities like shops and restaurants, and facilities like doctors and schools are important, they aren’t necessarily the things that contribute the most strongly to people feeling happy about living in an area.
As we’ve seen in our Happy at Home surveys from previous years, it’s the less tangible things that people deem to be the most significant factors that contribute to happiness. These include feeling a sense of belonging and community spirit, as well as having the freedom to be themselves.
Chair of the town's Community Council Judith Cleghorn said: "Galashiels is such a lovely place to live. There is a good community spirit where people help each other. The town has a lot of history and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. We also have the railway."
Braw Lad Cory Paterson said: “This summer I have witnessed first hand the amazing community spirit Gala has and the wonderful things it has to offer. The people make the town and I am truly proud of that and them.”
Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said: Seeing Galashiels once again named the happiest town in Scotland is terrific.
"This is a well-deserved accolade for the town, and I am honestly not surprised because everywhere I go, there is always a smile on someone's face."
Charity Director Dave Scott said: “Having come to Gala in 2012 I’ve come to it as a place with a genuine sense of community and connection.
“You know who your neighbour are, who is serving you in the shops and folk nod at strangers in the street.
“I came home the other week to find a crate of kindling on the steps from a retired neighbour who takes it upon himself to chop up wood and share across the street.
“I regularly see another neighbour out walking her dog early in the morning with a litter bag and picker collecting rubbish doing her bit to keep our town clean. So many little acts of kindness that are carried out without fanfare.
“I’ve brought dozens of friends to visit Netherdale to watch football and ever single one of them raves about how welcome they are made to feel by the committee members and the club has such a good reputation.
“I now some people laugh these sort of awards off but I think it’s important folk in Gala take pride in it. This a good place full of good and decent people who know the real value of community. Les get the hat trick of awards in 2025.
Gala Fairydean Rovers Community Trust Chair Graeme McIver said: “We are lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world but it’s the people that really make Galashiels. There are so many volunteers working away in community groups, sports clubs and other organisations trying their best to make the town a better place.
“Whilst it still has its challenges I’m grateful to those trying to make a positive difference. Oh and it has a great football club.”
Ryan Cass agreed. He said: “I believe that Gala Fairydean Rovers host a great hub for the community of Galashiels from Primary One kids through to Lowland League football bringing families together in a really positive way.”
Borders MP John Lamont said: "We know that the Scottish Borders has some of the best towns and villages in the country and I am delighted to see Gala get this recognition."
The borough of Richmond upon Thames in London topped the UK list.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel