Region is officially a happy, friendly and vibrant place to live, according to report

Aberdeen has come out near the top in a list of the happiest and “most vibrant” places to live in Scotland.

The latest Vibrant Economy Index by accountancy firm Grant Thornton measured statistics including employment, school attainment, life expectancy and voter turnout to find out where in the country is the best to live.

While Edinburgh was the top performer, Aberdeen followed closely behind in second place and was described as a “standout” in terms of its economic importance.

Aberdeenshire placed fourth while the Highland Council area was sixth.

Report author Karl Eddy said simply plotting out figures about the economy is not enough to paint a true picture of the best places to live.

“If the UK is to have a vibrant economy, it needs places where people and businesses can flourish,” he said.

“The Vibrant Economy Index seeks to define and measure the components that create these successful areas.

“In doing so, it provides a basis to drive positive change and objective accountability for each area.

“It highlights places that are doing well and potential lessons that can be shared.”

One of the least surprising results in the report is that the Highlands is host to some of the friendliest communities in Scotland.

In his report, Mr Eddy added: “This region is home to the three highest ranking places in the country: Orkney, Shetland and Argyll and Bute.

“Highland and Western Isles are not far behind, ranking six and seven respectively.

“These rankings reflect the strong sense of place and community identity in much of the region.”

Highlands and Islands MSP Maree Todd said: “This is really excellent news for the region.

“I may be a little biased, but I’ve always thought the Highlands are a fantastic place to live and work – it’s great to see this study confirm that.

“A healthy, happy and inclusive community, as well as a vibrant economy is beneficial to everybody and this report is a welcome endorsement of the Scottish Government’s efforts to boost the local economy, create opportunities and build a positive future for all.”

Kirsty Blackman, SNP MP for Aberdeen North, said: “Being an Aberdonian I know this city is a brilliant place to live and to raise a family, so these results are welcome but not surprising news to me.

“What this does really bring home is just how important it is that we future-proof and safeguard our city. The Scottish Government is consistently investing in the long term for Aberdeen – building the AWPR, supporting oil and gas, and backing major renewable energy projects too.

“Representatives of Aberdeen must remind themselves to always put our city first, and to protect the future happiness of Aberdeen.”