Braemar has been lauded as one of Scotland’s premier residential destinations in The Sunday Times’ annual Best Places to Live guide for 2026. The Royal Deeside locale was celebrated for embodying “Scotland at its most romantic”, with particular commendation for the renowned Fife Arms pub and hotel.
Nestled deep within the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar was specifically highlighted by The Times, which stated: “Braemar is Scotland at its most romantic. Buried deep in the Cairngorms National Park, this Victorian village radiates history but is far from fusty. The reinvention of the Fife Arms into ultra-luxe lodgings has enticed stars of the small and silver screen to Royal Deeside, while also providing locals with a brilliant new pub, plus fashion and literary festivals. There’s certainly plenty to get involved with, too. Braemar is home to three book clubs, a golf club, a strong Scouts scene and a tennis club that practises at the new community courts.”
The village is also a popular draw for visitors exploring the Cairngorms and Deeside, partly due to its frequent mentions during periods of extreme winter weather.
Topping the Scottish list as the overall best place to live in the nation was Linlithgow, the historic West Lothian town. Judges described Linlithgow as a “family-friendly hotspot” ideal for those commuting to Edinburgh or Glasgow, offering “clean air and a village mentality”.
The comprehensive guide, which features 72 locations across the UK, included seven other Scottish places. These were Aberfeldy in Perthshire, Dollar in Clackmannanshire, East Linton in East Lothian, Melrose in the Borders, and two urban areas: Newhaven in Edinburgh and Scotstoun in Glasgow. Norwich, Norfolk, was named the overall national winner for the UK.
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Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, commented on the guide’s objectives: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain. It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.”
Davies also explained the rigorous judging process: “Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live. These judges have traveled the length and breadth of the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, selecting the top towns and villages, suburbs and cities for the 2026 guide. One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.”
Judges evaluated various factors, including local schools, transport links, broadband speeds, mobile signal, amenities, access to high-quality green spaces, and the vitality of the high street. The selection criteria prioritised “thriving locations with a strong sense of community rather than famous names with high house prices”.
