Orcadians have the best quality of life in Scotland

Orkney has been named as the most desirable place to live in Scotland in the 2014 Halifax Quality of Life Survey.

The nationwide survey saw Hart in north east Hampshire named as the most desirable place to live in the UK. Orkney placed 47th on the national table and was the only area in Scotland to make it on to the top 50 list.

The report tracks where living standards are highest in the UK by ranking local performance across key indicators, and uses data gathered from a number of sources. in particular, Orkney stood out for its low crime rate.

Orkney Islands Council convener Steven Heddle said: “It’s very pleasing that Orkney has retained its crown for the best quality of life in Scotland.  It’s down not only to our environment but also to the people who live here, who combine a strong and traditional sense of community with a forward-thinking, can-do attitude that makes this a very special place to live and work.”