Islanders from the far north and west of Scotland are the happiest people in the country, a new report shows – and the credit has been given to wonderful scenery and a slower pace of life.
Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that residents of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles have the highest levels of life satisfaction, self-worth and happiness for the second year running.
Locals in the isles also reported very low levels of anxiety, coming second only to Dumfries and Galloway.
The results were warmly welcomed by north islanders who said that strong community spirit, spectacular scenery and low crime rates were the secrets of their cheery dispositions.
Caroline Critchlow, 53, who runs the Quoy of Houton B&B in Orphir, moved to Orkney from Derbyshire with her husband Kevin six years ago after falling in love with the isles on their honeymoon.
She said: “There is a brilliant sense of community and the scenery is fantastic. There is a slower pace of life, and I’m not surprised to hear that levels of anxiety are lower because it is much more peaceful here than elsewhere.”
Shetland South councillor, George Smith, said: “We have a lot of advantages that other places do not because there is so little fear of crime. Community life is vibrant, there is a lot going on and most people feel like they are contributing to their local area.”
The results were revealed in the second annual report which asked people how happy and satisfied they are in their lives. They were asked four questions – how satisfied they were with their life, how worthwhile they considered their life, how happy they felt the day before and how anxious they were on the same day.
Respondents scored their lives from zero to 10 on the four topics and for the second year running the northern and Western Isles topped the polls. Data was pooled from the Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles council areas and compared with other local authority areas in the UK.
Across Britain only the City of London reported a higher rating for self-worth and Hart district in Hampshire reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said: “This is not the first time the Western Isles has scored highly in similar surveys.
“I don’t think it says that the Western Isles have no problems, but it does say something about the strength of community in the islands and the benefit which comes along with giving a value to your own culture.”
Fellow Hebridean Gemma Nicolson, 21, a receptionist, said: “We have less crime and trouble in the islands. I think it’s the under-16s who are probably the least happy as there is so little for them.”