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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Schools/Villages in Scotland. South Lanarkshire or closer to Edinburgh

43 replies

MrsBlk · 17/02/2019 13:03

Hi,

We are going to be moving to Scotland in a few months and I'd love to hear suggestions and opinions on schools / villages / areas etc.

We are not set on a specific area just yet, although we would like to be in commutable distance to both Edinburgh & Glasgow, and below the M8 commuter belt.

We would prefer a village that has a primary school within and a secondary school in a nearby town.

So far we have seen a couple of houses in the village of Symington, nr Biggar. Could anyone give their first hand opinion of this village and it's surroundings please, especially the primary school as we have 4 young children.

Or of any other villages in this kind of area that has a good school, a nice community environment and possibly a local pub ;)

Many thanks

OP posts:
prettybird · 18/02/2019 14:58

Having suggested that Mrsblk post here for local knowledge, I hope she gets some responses Wink

I don't know Biggar particularly well but it does seem to be a nice village with a good community feel. I've been there for a U18 rugby game and it seemed a lovely wee community. Also took the opportunity to meet a MNer I'd "met" on the Low Carb Boot Camp for coffee.

Strathaven is closer to Glasgow and also seems to have a good community feel and I know the secondary school there is well regarded. (Rugby Club is also good Wink).

WaxOnFeckOff · 18/02/2019 16:07

It's not an area I know that well tbh - I know further East of that a bit better, West Linton is lovely and further into the Borders, Innerleithen or maybe Eddleston which is a bit closer to Edinburgh. Is there a reason to stay south of the M8?

The other comment I would make is that travel on a map to Glasgow or Edinburgh looks good distance wise, but the roads are not fast and strangely that area is often affected worse with snow/poor weather as it's a bit higher and further from the coast. The Borders tends to fair better. Sometimes I think it's better to choose to be car distance closer to either Glasgow or Edinburgh but reasonably close to the train line. If it doesn't need to be so far south of the M8 then somewhere like Kirknewton near Edinburgh or Linlithgow which is a bit bigger might suit? I'll leave you in the west coasters hands for similar places nearer Glasgow though :)

If you want central but further north then there are loads more choices too.

titsbumfannythelot · 18/02/2019 19:56

I first thought Biggar before I finished reading your OP, although I would agree with pp about weather affecting driving during the winter.

Linlithgow and Lenzie are both nice and on the Glasgow to Edinburgh trainline.

Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 13:30

Thanks Everyone

I had started to read through other recent posts regarding areas to live and have been looking into Ayrshire as well. I guess it would help if we had to 'definitely' be closer to one or the other cities, but we mostly work from home, which is why location isn't specific.

What is important though is our family house. Ideally we need 5 bedrooms, or a 4 bed with a garage to convert or space in the roof to extend up. We are not a fan of new builds and new developments, which is why we are not looking around the M8 corridor. We stayed on the edge of the Pentland Hills last Easter, which was stunning. We drove around Livington, Bathgate etc and up to Falkirk. It seems like this area is mostly new developments.

Although we did like Kirknewton and it's on the train line. We also liked Penicuik and Peebles, but there are no properties in that area that suit our budget.

Where would you suggest WaxOn ?? if a bit further north Grin DH's family are right up in Lairg - that's our retirement plan Wink

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 13:45

I used to live in Penicuik and it's a lovely area, DH from The Borders. I'm generally not a big West Lothian fan as I find it a bit sprawl-ey but I am sure there are some lovely pockets and estates.

I actually don't mind a new build tbh, but it depends on the builder/age of the estate as some don't have any feeling of space and don't provide enough driveways or parking so they look cluttered.

What kind of budget do you have? Have you thought about the Stirling, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Doune, Callendar, Gargunnock area? Or further to the East in Dollar or Fife/Tayside?

To the west,Lenzie has been mentioned but maybe also Strathbane/Blanfield/Kippen/Buchlyvie/Fintry (i think these all have primary schools) the catchment area around Balfron High school.

I don't know Ayrshire at all but I am sure other people would be able to help.

LoisWilkerson1 · 19/02/2019 13:50

Biggar
Peebles
Strathaven
Stonehouse

All small but nice villiages in South Lanarkshire, easy access to Edinburgh or Glasgow, Carluke has trains to both I think. Love Peebles although it can suffer in the winter. It's a tricky road. I don't know the areas well round Livingston etc but there are a lot of Scottish mnetters who could help.

HairyPotter · 19/02/2019 13:54

Strathaven would tick all the boxes, Strathaven academy is usually the top performing school in South Lanarkshire. Lots of great housing (Not all new builds either) and only 30 mins from Glasgow and around 40’to Edinburgh.

WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 15:29

I like this OP - pity you don't get the whole building! However it has 4 bedrooms and one designated as a dressing room which looks big enough to be a single room (think you can see into it from one of the photos) and would at a minimum give 4th/5th children a bit of private space.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50416021.html

prettybird · 19/02/2019 15:38

I was thinking of you Hairypotter when I suggested Strathaven earlier in the thread Smile

Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 16:16

Thank You WaxOn

I had started looking a bit further and spotted this....

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70092475.html

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 16:25

That looks a nice house. I'm an East coaster in general so no idea what the surrounding area is like. I've been to Dumbarton and don't remember it being particularly bonny but then I WAS there for a funeral. I remember the crem building being nice inside but that's probably not on your wish list.... Grin

Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 16:31

not just yet Grin Grin

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 16:36

Oh I could play this house hunting game all night now.

5 bed in Strathyre

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52717188.html

Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 16:41

wow looks stunning - about 20 grand over budget though Wink

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68474869.html

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 16:45

shame this is at the start of the estate and not further in, or at the end of a cul-de-sac

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79420145.html

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 16:49

That California one is a bit weird - the tv suspended from the ceiling in the bedroom!

Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 16:49

and this has all the space we need, but it's a bit of a strange location!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-56467281.html

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBlk · 19/02/2019 17:01

this is kind of cute

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76207361.html

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 17:19

Dollar has a bit of a quirky layout due to the river and hills etc, parts of it remind me of Dunblane That Balfron one looks a bit of a Tardis :)

WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 17:20

The world is your oyster OP, I think you need another wee trip to suss places out as there is not substitute for getting a feel for a place.

WickedGoodDoge · 19/02/2019 17:33

I’m in Livingston. I hate new builds . I would not recommend West Lothian to most people, but certainly not to someone who hates new builds. Having said that, Linlithgow has bits that aren’t all estates and roundabouts.

WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2019 23:31

Just saw this OP, I don't know the area but i know that Kilmacolm is oft quoted on here as desirable so this seems like a bargain?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64666651.html

VioletPickles · 19/02/2019 23:37

Reconsider Peebles , maybe make a low offer? It has a lot to give, a vibrant, community focused town and you can make it to Edinburgh in 45 mins roughly. Good primary and secondary, loads of outdoor sports/pursuits, gyms,restaurants, independent shops. Lovely to walk around, with the river and parks. Children feel safe and confident. I love visiting family and I always recommend it

prettybird · 19/02/2019 23:41

Haven't looked at all the links but on the Milton one, no. Just no. There is a reason why it is cheap. Hmm

The one in Balfron would meet your criteria. Balfron Academy is an excellent school. I actually did a double take - friends of my parents live in that street, but it's not their house Grin

southernuplands · 20/02/2019 00:00

Hi, I'm near Biggar. Tinto Pr (Symington) is a lovely new build school. Lots of community involvement. Nice village with a great wee shop.
Biggar is a fantastic town, lots going on. I travel Edinburgh and Glasgow for work. Both quite easy. Never had much problem with weather until last years snowmageddon Grin
High school is good, lots of activities going on. We like our rugby!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74482979.html

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