Tempted by Retirement in Scotland?
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
July 8, 2019 — If you are looking for a place to retire where it is tranquil and beautiful with a cool temperature, you might want to consider Scotland. During our recent enchanting exploration of the country, which definitely lives up to the beauty portrayed in Outlander, Monty Python, the Davinci Code, or Game of Thrones, we discovered more than just stunning landscapes. While enjoying the breathtaking views of Scotland’s 130 inhabited islands, we also noticed an emerging interest among retirees in leisurely pursuits, including exploring best online casinos for entertainment during their downtime. A country that is part of Great Britain, Scotland is bigger than you might think, about the size of South Carolina, with a tremendous range of regions where you might want to retire. Even if retiring here doesn’t appeal to you, Scotland still makes a wonderful retirement trip!
There are livable cities like historic Edinburgh or Glasgow. Charming market towns like Peebles or Moffat. University towns like St. Andrews. Or you could choose to live in a town like Portree on the stunning Isle of Skye. The areas around the many lochs (lakes) provide idyllic living choices. One of our friends would like to retire in Scotland because he likes its relaxed atmosphere and cool climate. It is also rainy much of the year, which is one reason why everything seems so green and there are flowers – both wild and cultivated – everywhere. But as beautiful and charming a place as Scotland is, there is one great problem – it is very difficult, but not impossible for an American to retire here. But more about that later.
Comments on "Tempted by Retirement in Scotland?"
Ed LaFreniere says:
Thank you for this fine overview — especially for those of us who need to escape the summer Scottsdale heat and could use a base for European travel!
Jennifer says:
My neighbors just left last night for a month in Edinburgh--they are of Scottish heritage and rent the same townhome every year. They go to the jazz festival and tour the countryside and the distilleries. It is nice and cool there now yesterday was in the 50's. They will have a great time as they do each year. They have no desire to retire there due to health issues, but do visit the possibility from time to time.
Dee says:
Move to Seattle instead! Similar climate and you can (more or less!) understand the people. Scottish accents charming but rather thick!!
Diane Greto says:
Beautiful pictures and info and Scotland has been on my bucket list as both maternal grandparents and mother were born in Scotland. Will plan to spend some time there next summer...thanks for the suggestion, Jennifer!
Larry says:
I think about living in Scotland often. As a golfer, I have found no better variety of courses in the world. After summer trips to the Old Sod the last six years, I decided to join the Crail Golfing Society, home to two wonderful layouts beside the North Sea. Fees are ridiculously low, about $200 per year, and you get 8 rounds of golf with that. Crail, just 9 miles from St. Andrews and a 70-minute drive from the Edinburgh airport, is a postcard-perfect fishing village. For a stay of six months or less each year, you could find suitable lodging for under $350,000 or an apartment to lease for six months or less. Last year, I stayed in Edinburgh for a few days before heading to Crail. It was a hoot to leave my hotel with my golf clubs on my shoulder, walk down the hill to the train station and take the train a half hour to North Berwick (pronounced "berrick") to play its famed golf course. In the spirit of full disclosure, good restaurants are not in plentiful supply, the chief entertainment option in a small town like Crail are the pubs, driving on the "wrong" side of the road is daunting, and the Scottish brogue does take a bit of getting used to. But the people are wonderful, the landscape is breathtaking and the golf is paradise.
Admin says:
We just posted this question from a 68 year old female retired New Zealander with family because it is a good one.We will refer her to this post. You can find all kinds of good retirement information in our mini-retirement guides to all 50 states and more than 20 countries, as well as in our State Directories.
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I would like to get as much information as possible from you with regard to emigrating to Scotland to spend my last years with my family when the COVID situation finally allows. Even websites and/or links you can provide would be appreciated as I'd like to have everything in place ready for my eventual travel to Scotland.
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See our Country guide to retiring in Scotland, and our Scottish Directory of towns and communities for more.
Flatearth6 says:
What I do NOT see mentioned is the fact that, like the rest of the UK, if you are a US citizen, you must be able to prove that you have at least $50,000 of income - PER PERSON, to be able to retire there. That is what held us back. Pretty much every country have some restrictions and rules to be met - especially if you want to emigrate. As a New Zealander, you are already have a connection to the UK so the rules may be different, and less strenuous for you. Check with a Consulate office.