Moving to Scotland - arty & outdoorsy

[Redqueenheart]

I am planning to move to Scotland from Kent now that I have a fully remote role.

Requirements are:

• somewhere that might have some kind of artist/craft community established as I am a painter
• sailing, walking groups, swimming or horse-riding as I am very much into sports
• anywhere in the country as long as from commuting distance to either Glasgow or Edinburgh (up to one hour). I have a long-term heath condition which might need more specialist medical care as I get older
• decent broadband access
• A small house is fine (2 bed) is all I need but it must have some decent outdoor space for my pets
• Access to a train station. I probably will need to travel to London for work a few times every year
• Budget: £250,000 max. I don't want to take on a mortgage again
• Quiet and safe as I will be living alone
• Schools/universities are not a concern anymore
• Not after a busy nightlife at all but I enjoy independent cafes and restaurants.

Would anyone be able to suggest where they think I could fit in? I am not English (British, but originally from an EU country).

The people I know in Scotland are in Edinburgh/Fife but I really don't mind moving somewhere completely different where I can also make new friends.

Any advice most welcome!

I’d have a look at West Kilbride in north Ayrshire westkilbrideayrshire.co.uk/ might tick some of your boxes. Kirkcudbright as well but that sounds too far from Edin /Glasgow or stations.

I only know it superficially, but North Berwick

has cute shops/cafes
is coastal so might have sailing stuff
fits the one hour from Edinburgh and has a train station
has 2 bed houses with a garden for your budget
is safe

Possibly Troon in Ayrshire or Balloch/Drymen towards Loch Lomond.

Stirling , mini city in its own right but slap bang in the middle of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Friendly sailing club at Loch Venechar, art club, masters section at Stirling Swimming Club. McRobert Centre means some decent theatre locally. Has a station (Some London trains stop at) very safe feel - a variety of style of properties would be in budget for you even taking the "offers over" into account.

North Berwick
East Neuk of fife: Crail, Elie, Anstruther

Is there a train line to Elie etc though?

Dunfermline actually had quite a lot of arty stuff, a printmakers studio for example and I personally know some art people who have moved to Burntisland recently.
Stirling is very convenient but I wouldn't call it arty (I'm a local and an artist) and I wouldn't hang about in the town centre of a weekend evening by choice either.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions so far!!

Stirling, Troon and North Berwick were all on my list already so it is great to see people mention them as well.

I like the look of Balloch too. Apparently it was voted the best village for remote workers :)!

Helensburgh

I moved to Ayr last year from West of England. Lots of artists and makers here , beaches , train station with frequent trains to Glasgow in under an hour , all the shops anyone could need, a great little theatre , cinema , eateries , an active u3a , music scene ,countryside. The people are very friendly , house prices and availability , good . Am thrilled everyday with the choice I made. Looked at Troon but not enough going on there plus less facilities for me personally . Good luck with your move .

I second N Berwick and possibly some of the other borders towns on the train line? Alternatively Aberdour seemed to have some nice little arty shop, good walks and a lovely community feel to it when we were there recently - no idea what it’s like to live there though.

West Kilbride on the West and Pittenweem on the East are both a bit arty. I imagine West Kilbride is cheaper.

Kirkudbright is a beautiful part of the country.

N Berwick is lovely but you might struggle to find a 2 bed with any outdoor space with that budget, OP. As it's on the train line to Edinburgh, prices have gone up a lot lately.

The Highlands ticks all of your list except the train to Glasgow or Edinburgh is around two hours.

''@Willowthewispy
The Highlands ticks all of your list except the train to Glasgow or Edinburgh is around two hours.''

Would you recommend anywhere in particular in the Highlands?

@Thebelleofstmarys
I did not put Ayr on my list as I had heard/read very different opinions on it but it is good to hear that you are enjoying living there.

Would you recommend anywhere in particular in the Highlands?

The Moray coast ticks a lot of your boxes.
Do bear in mind OP, in case heating costs are going to be an issue for you, you will need your heating on a lot more of the year in many areas of Scotland.

When I lived in Kent my heating was on for the winter, so roughly November to early April. Now I'm in east of Scotland and it's only off June, July and August!

There are some. I had a quick look.

Kircudbright is a lovely village and very art focused. It’s in a beautiful part of the country . Takes nearly 2 hours to get to Glasgow or Edinburgh but it is nearer Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

East or north ayrshire

Stewarton Fenwick Dunlop Troon West Kilbride

• 20 minutes from Ayrshire

Broughty Ferry, just North of Dundee. Great wee town.

Scottish Borders - in the east if you like seascapes, west if you like hills!
Very tranquil, easy to commute to Edinburgh

helensburgh is 45 minutes from central Glasgow on the train, it has 2 sailing clubs, there is horseriding, there is definitely an art group a muscial society singing groups etc ( though that's not my scene) there are a few good independent shops and cafes; the new swimming pool gym leisure centre opens next week, there are lots of places to walk dogs

1.www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126154013#/?channel=RES_BUY
not my choice of decor but definitely big enough with garden

2.www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126154013#/?channel=RES_BUY
a semi with garage

3, www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126154013#/?channel=RES_BUY
sea view but busy road no grass in garden but good fence

4, www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85727862#/?channel=RES_BUY
ground floor flat about 100metres from beach a private deck at back

Brought ferry - pretty sure there's a sailing club there. Riding tenstmuir across near St. Andrews.
Or even Newport or Wormit.

Instant access to outdoors and great beaches. Dundee had fantastic art school - Duncan of jordansyone. Plus you'll get more for your money than eg north Berwick.