Considering moving to Scotland; insights on the education system?

[Guest]

We are considering moving to Scotland - but are doing lots of research on the education system etc etc.

But we are struggling to pin point areas we would like to explore and look at that are safe for our family. We would prefer an area that is costal, with great walks for our border collie. Preferably good family amenities too (one of my daughters is partially sporty).

Any information or helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Ashlea]

I live in Falkirk. It has one of the best options for walks in Central Scotland & lots of sports activities available via falkirk council and private companies. The town centre, like most, is not what it used to be but you are a 15 min train journey fro

Glasgow and Edinburgh as we're bang in middle. There are 7 (I think) high schools. It isn't coastal, but easily able to find one within 10min drive.

[Mel]

Not to deter you but the weather is pish. Especially where I am in the West. It has rained for 72 hours straight so far and no sign of stopping.

Our area is flooded but on a nice day the views are beautiful.

[Ruth]

Fife - coastal some big towns variety of schools (private and state) choose your location based on school.

Not far from Edinburgh and east coast no midges and a little bit drier than west coast.

[Jennie]

Central belt which is easily accessible for countryside, cities and dependent where you go you can be close to Firth of Forth. Linlithgow has great school (around 10th in Scotland for secondary) and a lot of sports clubs locally. It’s a train line for both Glasgow and Edinburgh and close to coastal paths for walks.

Plenty of country walks and parks plus around 1hr to East Lothian, Borders and Fife/St Andrews.

[Sarah]

This is the beautiful wee village wee call home at the foot of the Ochil hills, so many young family’s a beautiful school and nursery we are 10mins away from Stirling centre we are surrounded by farm coffee shops farm parks for kids we are even close to the Blair Drummond Safari Park your not far from St Andrews if you want a beach I wouldn’t stay any where else in the world.

[Shonag]

I live in Dumfries and Galloway... there is so many lovely wee places in this area, I'm The Lockerbie side and love it, but I come from the Machars side, which has many villages. Port Patrick is beautiful.

[Pauline]

Fife! We lived in Dunfermline, plenty coastal walks, lots to do, in the middle of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

When looking at schools consider their high school too although Dunfermline is developing a new super campus in Duloch which is a massive housing estate.

[Kirsty]

I wouldn’t recommend anywhere in Ayrshire. The rest of the west coast is lovely x

[Claire]

I wouldn’t worry about the Scottish education system, it’s always been one of the best, same with the universities.

Look at all of the inventions which have come from a country with a tenth of the population that of England.

[Jacqui]

We live in a small town in East Ayrshire on the south west coast of Scotland. It has excellent rail and motorway links to Glasgow (30 mins away) and Edinburgh. Very near the coast but also lovely country walks locally.

Plenty of sports and other clubs for kids. Our local schools usually perform well too. Our town is small but welcoming.

[Emma]

Angus. Kirriemuir, Carnoustie, Broughty Ferry, Arbroath, Montrose. I moved here from Fife 5 years ago and I work in education. My children love it. Our school is fantastic, (I have sons in additional needs unit and mainstream of our local high school).

Lots of brilliant opportunities for them and they love being outdoors, at the beach and up the glens with our dog.

[Gary]

I moved to Scotland, Lossiemouth with the RAF 22 years ago, met my wife (also English) and she moved up around 18 years ago. We now have 3 children 10, 8, and 9 months (All Scottish as they were born here, 6 Nations going to get interesting in the future). The schools here are amazing, my boy ( has ADHD and they have amazing effective support to ensure he is not falling too far behind. we have 2 beaches 10 minute walk from our front door and so much more on our doorstep.

I will never forget where I was born but love where I live now and am blessed to be able to bring my children up in such a beautiful part of the world.

[Gwyneth]

We lived in Elgin for several years, Lossiemouth is the coastal town closest and it’s beautiful up there, a little drive and you have Burghead and hopeman, absolutely lovely and then findhorn a bit further, forest and beach together, lovely walks, seals and just the most spectacular spaces, I’d look along there it’s honestly amazing.

[Emma]

I’m in Dollar, right at the foot of the hills. Lots of places to walk, there’s a private school here, always found it to be safe. 40 mins to Edinburgh, 40 mins to Glasgow. You’re out the way but not too far away.

[Jenni]

You will love Broughty Ferry, lots of people have relocated here and have never looked back. Great schools, sports facilities etc . Right on the coast with the countryside 5 miles the other way. An hour from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and 1.5 hours to Glasgow. Very safe family area.

[Laura]

I would suggest a wee trip up along the moray coast. So many beautiful places to explore and once your here you can check out your perfect place. We live in a coastal village which is about an hr from Aberdeen, 1.5hrs from inverness, 1.5 from aviemore.

Beaches, woodland, cairngorms all on our doorstep sporting wise there is lots going on including surfing, paddle boarding in the summer and skiing, tubing in the winter.

[Louise]

We live in the North east in moray . Its lovely here there's sooo much countryside everywhere . And a beach in every direction . The most beautiful beaches actually .Lossiemouth, findhorn , rosisle ,nairn to name a few . We are out the way enough to have a nice safe quiet place but everything is within driving distance such as Aberdeen or Inverness if u want a busy city day . I couldn't imagine a better place for bringing my kids up