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Five Key Reasons to Move to Scotland
Up until the turn of the century, many Scots left their home country to move somewhere else in the UK. In the past 20 years, that trend has been reversed; Scotland’s population has increased by almost 150,000 as more and more people move there from the rest of the UK.
Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer high-end removals to Scotland and all parts of the UK, provide a few practical reasons why the country is currently an extremely attractive proposition when it comes to moving house.
1. There are No Barriers
Even though the Scottish people voted in favour of remaining in the European Union, the overall ‘no’ vote means that the country is still part of the UK. This means there are no barriers to immigration, as there are no powers which have been devolved to the Scottish Assembly Parliament.
So, there are no extra forms to fill in as long as you are a UK citizen, and you (and your immediate family) are automatically entitled to free NHS care if you live in the country. As well as there being no language barrier (although the Scots do have their own slang), the people are usually very welcoming – although it’s best to keep off the subject of politics!
2. It Should be Cheaper
The cost of living is usually quite a bit cheaper north of the border – 10% cheaper if you are comparing English cities with Scottish cities, and 30% if you are comparing Scottish cities with London. A lot of this is down to Scotland’s housing costs, which are (on average) the lowest across the whole of the UK.
There are other financial benefits too – the starter rate of income tax is 19% (compared to 20% in England) which is good news for the lower-paid; and tuition fees are lower too. If your son or daughter is off to college or university, the fees you’ll have to pay have been capped by the Scottish Government at £1,820 for the 2022/23 academic year. In England, the cap was set at £9,250.
3. There’s an Extra Bank Holiday
Although the picture has been complicated in recent years by the Royal bank holidays (the Queen’s platinum jubilee last year, and King Charles’ coronation this year) Scotland generally has an extra bank holiday a year – nine compared to eight.
The English and Scottish Bank Holidays are mostly the same, but the Scots don’t treat Easter Monday as a public holiday; and the August bank holiday is usually earlier in the month. However, the Scots don’t usually work on January 2 (the Scots’ New Year or Hogmanay celebrations last for an extra day) nor on November 30 (St Andrew’s Day, in honour of the country’s patron saint).
4. The Natural Advantages
There are plenty of other, non-financial reasons to move to Scotland as well – for instance, there’s the stunning scenery of highlands and islands. Inland, there are two national parks, both with plenty of wildlife; Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was created in 2002, and the Cairngorms National Park the following year.
Nature-lovers may be able to spot red, roe and sika deer, as well as pine martens and Scottish wildcats. Offshore whales, dolphins, seals puffins and many other species can be found in Scottish waters.
And, if you fancy a mountaineering challenge, then the Grampian range includes the UK’s two highest peaks, Ben Nevis (1,345 m or 4,413 ft above sea level) and Ben Macdui (1,309 m or 4,295 ft).
5. The Transport Network
You might think that parts of Scotland are inaccessible. However, the country has an excellent network of roads (there are 10 motorways) and a comprehensive public transport system. In addition to the four main commercial airports (there are two in Glasgow, plus one apiece in Edinburgh and Aberdeen) there is also a network of smaller facilities covering the more remote areas, run by the Highland and Island Airports Limited. There are regular ferry services to the outlying islands as well.
Removals to Scotland with Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals can help with removals to Scotland – not just if you are considering moving house to one of the major cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, but the more remote areas as well.
Whichever part of the country you are considering moving to, call us on 01379 855203. Remember we offer free online quotations and video surveys, and can also help with your packing and unpacking too.
FAQs
Q: Are there any other hidden financial perks of moving to Scotland?
A: Yes – apart from the lower tuition fees, free prescriptions are standard across the country (there is no age qualification). And eye tests are free as well (as long as it’s just a standard check-up).
Q: Which industries are currently “booming” in Scotland?
A: As of 2026, Scotland is a leader in renewable energy, FinTech (using technology in financial services, and specifically in Edinburgh), and Life Sciences. There is also a high demand for skilled professionals in healthcare and social care across the rural sectors.
Q: Can Hamiltons Removals help with moves to remote areas like the Isle of Skye or the Shetlands?
A: Yes. Removals to the “Highlands and Islands” require specialist knowledge of ferry schedules and narrow rural roads. At Hamiltons Removals, we can coordinate the entire transit, including the additional logistics required for island life. Because of these challenges, it’s worth making your booking at least four to six weeks in advance. This ensures we can secure the right vehicle size and a dedicated liaison manager for your route.
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