Dumfries, in the south west of Scotland, has emerged as the happiest in Scotland, according to a recent survey.
The BBC writes:
Dumfries was named the top spot north of the border in the annual ‘happy at home’ index compiled by Rightmove. Factors such as community spirit, feeling safe, the friendliness of locals, the amenities and local services were taken into account. More than 17,000 people were asked how happy they were with aspects of where they live. So what might the secrets of the Queen of the South be that are making Doonhamers so contented?
Fitness has been to the fore in the town over the last six weeks with the arrival of the Beat the Street scheme encouraging people to walk on journeys they might previously have taken by car. And work is also complete on a new multi-million pound hospital which is due to open in December this year. Dumfries is home to the oldest working theatre in Scotland, the Theatre Royal, which just marked its 225th anniversary.
Plans are also in the pipeline through the artist-led Stove Network to overhaul its historic Midsteeple ‘quarter’. In January each year it is home to the Big Burns Supper celebration and also boasts a huge range of other artistic festivals.
Work is well under way on creating a new Scottish national centre for children’s literature at Moat Brae, the house which helped to inspire JM Barrie to write Peter Pan. It is hoped the new centre will be able to open to the public at the end of 2018. A short journey from the town centre takes you into the heart of the countryside and a whole host of fine local produce. So much so that it was recently suggested that a Made in Dumfries and Galloway brand should be created to help promote food and drink from the area.
Read more about Dumfries and read more about the happiest places to live in the UK.
