Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alexander Small & Mya Bollan

Edinburgh amongst 'worst' places to live in Scotland as capital makes dreaded list

People across Scotland have shared the 10 'worst' places to live. And unfortunately, Edinburgh has not fared well.

The capital takes a spot in the list, with website ilivehere.co.uk giving residents the opportunity to complain about areas across Scotland in their own words, and some comments are pretty brutal.

Whether it's unattractive scenery or neighbours that are a nuisance, the site it full of complaints. From major cities to wee villages you may not have heard of, there are plenty of negative opinions to nosey at.

It is likely a case of 'the grass is always greener' with reviewers leaving out the nice parts and pleasant stories about Edinburgh. The Lothians also took a hit, with Cockenzie and Port Seton in East Lothian also making the list, reports the Daily Record.

READ MORE - The new Universal Credit monthly payment rates to come into place in April 2023

Here is a wee snapshot of what residents had to say about the 10 'worst' places to live in Scotland..

Edinburgh

The capital is a pretty surprising place to be on this list, don't you think?

Despite one reviewer admitting the "quite like" living in the city, they had plenty to say about the Edinburgh Fridge and International Festival.

"People who live outwith Edinburgh have told me that 'you’re so lucky having the Festival', but many Edinburgh residents would disagree. As soon as the Festivals start up, Edinburgh is transformed into an honorary borough of London, along with the crush of people and the high prices.

"Most places are sectioned off for venues for unfunny Oxbridge student comedians to try and 'make it', and also overpriced beer stands. The beautiful architecture is adorned with posters for (mostly) s**t 'comedy', and you can’t move without being shoved out of the way by someone", they wrote.

Thousands of visitors and residents alike have visited the Christmas markets (Edinburgh Live)

Comments also tore into the Christmas markets. While many agree that the they are a highlight of not just the festive season but the whole year, one reviewer was not so enthusiastic.

They said: "This invades the beautiful Princes Street Gardens overlooking the castle, and after a November-December of selling overpriced Christmas beer and meat, then means that there’ll be a late winter to spring of the Gardens being sealed off as the council tries to disguise the yellow grass and mud the market leaves in its wake."

Cockenzie and Port Seton, East Lothian

Not too far away from Edinburgh, with a population of just over 5,000, Cockenzie and Port Seton was also listed.

A popular commuter town for the capital, Cockenzie and Port Seton has plenty to offer including the picturesque harbours and who can forget, Seton Sands.

However, one unhappy local took to ilivehere.co.uk to complain about the town's "reckless drivers" as well as the levels of littering.

"The residents enjoy throwing trash on the ground, usually McDonalds or chocolate bar wrappers. Walk around one of the parks, and you will witness school kids throwing trash into the bushes.

Another complaint noted the frequency of dog waste on the pavements, reading: "This should be rated the worst place to live in Scotland."

Inchinnan, Renfrewshire

Around 25 minutes from Glasgow, Inchinnan also made the list.

With a population of just 2,000, the village has limited amenities compared to larger villages and towns across the country.

Writing on ilivehere.co.uk, one resident wrote: "There’s nothing to talk about, it’s a little village with two shops and three pubs."

Despite this, there are plenty of sights and landmarks in Inchinnan to check out, including a bascule bridge made by Sir William Arrol & Company, and India of Inchinnan. The latter is an art deco style A-listed building designed in 1930 that is sure to please anybody into architecture.

Tongue, Highland

With a population of just 550, Tongue is a wee village tucked away in the Highlands. But regardless of size, it was not safe from the 'worst' places to live list.

The village has a youth hostel, a craft shop, a general store and garage, a bank, a post office, and two hotels. Not too bad for a little place, right?

One local resident was complimentary of the scenery, going so far as to call the village "one of the most picturesque settings in the UK."

However, they shared their frustrations over the prevalence of livestock in the village.

They wrote: "The area is renowned for its sheep. They block the roads and generally run riot in the area. One trick when stuck behind them in a car is to learn a little Gaelic, such as ‘Tha thu gu math’ (“you’re pretty” in English) and see them run."

East Kilbride

East Kilbride is the largest town in South Lanarkshire and Scotland's sixth-largest locality by population, being home to around 75,000 people.

It's popular for its close proximity to Glasgow, as well as attractions such as Calderglen Country Park and the National Museum of Rural Life.

However, that didn't stop one frustrated local from complaining about the town's "ne’er-do-wells" and "famous grey concrete skyline".

The anonymous reviewer stated that they would soon be leaving the town "by the grace of all that is holy" and were very candid in their comments.

They said: "Adventure seekers will love East Kilbride for the adrenaline which comes from walking the streets after 9pm". They also called out members of the public for "bumbling through the maze of roads trying to find their flat on a Tuesday night, yelling obscenities and screaming for no apparent reason."

Elgin

One ilivehere.co.uk user who stayed in the town for a short while was quick to disagree, complaining that locals were unwilling to help them after they got lost. They even went so far as to suggest other visitors "keep going until you reach Aberlour".

The writer summarised: "A quick Google search to Wikipedia will tell you that 'Elgin is a town (former cathedral city) and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. It is the administrative and commercial centre for Moray'. It will not tell you of the unimaginable bleakness that absorbs the so-called city."

Ballingry, Fife

Classed as one of Fife's 'regeneration areas' in need of regeneration economically and socially, Ballingry is a small town with a population of around 6,000. It is thought to be one of the oldest Parishes in Scotland, and its amenities include a library, childcare and catering facilities, a computer suite, a gym, a meeting room, a café, and a large primary school.

Taking to ilivehere.co.uk, one resident did not pull any punches when sharing their thoughts on the town. They singled out the "derelict" shopping square with "boarded up" shops.

They added: "A former mining village that seems immune to any form of improvement. The two main roads leading into the place have the Ballingry sign proudly displayed but it has gloomy Royston Vasey ‘you’ll never leave’ feel about it."

Wishaw, North Lanarkshire

Situated on the edge of the Clyde Valley, Wishaw is around 15 miles south-east of Glasgow.

Among its highlights are a golf club, Belhaven Park, and its busy town centre that includes a number of small independent retailers.

Leaving a scathing review, one resident wrote that the "town's main attraction is probably the Tesco". They added that it is "famed for well… nothing" and that it is "almost like it's a legal requirement for every street to have at least one empty or smashed bottle of Buckfast on it."

The writer summed up: "There is nothing to do in this place, the most exciting part of a day out here is the possibility of witnessing a fight or someone getting abused in some way or another."

St Andrews, Fife

The 'home of golf' St Andrews did not fare well either.

Despite being considered one of the most picturesque places in Scotland, some locals are pretty unhappy.

The resident who complained about the town acknowledged its reputation, writing: "So St Andrews, the home of golf, a prestigious University – on the face of it lovely. Beautiful beaches, nice walks."

However, they said that tourists, students, pensioners, and locals all "get pavement rage at each other". They then criticised the cost of rent, stating: "If you can afford a one bedroom flat at a nearly a grand a month overlooking the sea then it might be more idyllic for you."

Glasgow

Photo taken in Glasgow, United Kingdom (Getty)

Edinburgh was not the only major city on the list, with Glasgow also taking a spot.

One local resident who returned to Scotland's largest city after 10 years away was quick to share their thoughts.

Criticising the residents for wearing "casual sports wear, or occasionally, excessively distressed jeans", the reviewer called out certain members of the public for "picking fights with strangers".

They also got pretty personal, slamming Glaswegians' "awfully dainty" hairstyles and "orange or terracotta" complexion.

READ NEXT

Universal Credit rule change could see up to 120,000 lose out on DWP benefits

Seven questions Prince Harry has yet to answer as bombshell book hits shelves

Prince William 'sulked the night before Harry's wedding' after decision by prince

Kate Middleton's fingers went white in tense chat with Meghan claims Prince Harry

Prince Harry received 'really horrible reaction' from family after Queen's death

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.