Historic West Lothian town named as Scotland’s best place to live

Linlithgow has emerged as the top choice in the 2026 Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

A historic West Lothian town has been named as Scotland’s best place to live.

Linlithgow has emerged as the top choice in the 2026 Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

The town is perhaps best known for the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, where Mary, Queen of Scots was born. Judges praised it as a “family-friendly hotspot that’s the perfect spot for commuters to Edinburgh or Glasgow who want clean air and a village mentality”.

Describing it as a “central belter”, the Sunday Times said residents “can’t get enough of the medieval high street, outstanding schools and the great outdoors”.

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The judges added: “It’s the kind of town where the lollipop men know everyone’s names and have treats for the dogs, and competition is fierce in the famous annual cardboard boat race down the pretty Union Canal.

“Non-commuters have all the more time to enjoy the 180 shared interest groups, community-owned ski slope, theatre productions and jazz concerts or get involved in the community development trust.”

Linlithgow was one of seven Scottish places to make the Sunday Times list.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, says: “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.

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“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 travelled 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.”

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