The Lothian and Bord
ers region boasts a diverse landscape of rolling hills, sprawling moorlands, vast valleys and craggy coastline. Renowned for its charming towns and villages, rich history, captivating traditions and unrivalled recreational pursuits, it’s an attractive location to live, work and play.
It’s no surprise, then, the main areas – East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian and The Borders – all experienced population rises from 2017 to 2018.
Would you like to know more? Let s1jobs be your tour guide as we take a closer look at what this ancient sheriffdom has to offer.
Let’s begin with location: just a short hop from the capital Edinburgh, this is an ideal place for those who want to work in the city but prefer a more rural and quieter lifestyle – with more affordable house prices too.
The average cost of property in Edinburgh currently stands at just under £300,000, while a property in the idyllic Borders region will set you back £205,000 in comparison. Even more, pocket-friendly is West Lothian, with house prices there averaging £178,000.
Commuting is easy, with train lines connecting all the major towns and villages in the region to Edinburgh – some in as little as 10 minutes.
If you don’t fancy the commute, or working in the city, fear not: there are plenty of thriving industries throughout the region that offer a wide variety of job opportunities.
Tourism is a major source of income for many residents and there are countless ways for those interested in this sector to find permanent or seasonal employment in hospitality, catering, visitor attractions and leisure.
Other sectors that have high employability in the region – particularly in West Lothian – include healthcare, retail, construction and manufacturing.
Once upon a time, neighbouring Midlothian and East Lothian were known for their thriving coal-mining industries. These days the economic profiles of these areas are more diverse, with energy, life sciences, food and drink, and engineering sectors some of the biggest employers.
The future of East Lothian, in particular, is being enhanced by a drive to offer infrastructure for the area to become the ‘best place in Scotland to stay and work’.
An ambitious East Lothian Community Planning Economic Development Strategy aims to attract new investors in food and drink, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, energy, life sciences and higher education (Queen Margaret University has already relocated its campus here).
The strategy, which aims to transform East Lothian into one of Scotland’s most prosperous economic regions, saw an increase of 620 local businesses between 2010 and 2017.
The Scottish Borders is also well represented in many industries, chiefly agriculture, food, tourism, forestry, and textiles and design. In fact, textiles and design are so prevalent it’s estimated more than 3000 people are employed in the industry. Additionally, Heriot-Watt University operates its world-class School of Textiles and Design from its Galashiels campus. You never know, you might just bump into guest lecturer Vivienne Westwood as you wander around town.
When it comes to charming towns and villages, the Lothian and Borders have no shortage of hidden gems. Kelso, Peebles and Melrose in the Borders are postcard-perfect, while Haddington, North Berwick and Dunbar in the Lothians are the epitome of idyllic.
No matter what you like to do in your free time, Lothian and Borders have some of the best leisure options in the country. History buffs can explore the magnificent Melrose Abbey, Sir Walter Scott’s baronial home Abbotsford, Linlithgow Palace and Rosslyn Chapel, among others.
If outdoor pursuits are your bag, you’re spoiled for choice. The Scottish Borders is an area renowned for having some of the best mountain biking trails in the UK at Glentress and Innerleithen, while ramblers can explore the Pentland Hills or any number of the nature reserves in the region.
Given its coastal situation, there are also plenty of seaside adventures awaiting you. Beware: The North Sea can be decidedly chilly. Just ask the ‘loony dookers’, who take their annual New Year’s Dip in the water at South Queensferry.
And while on the subject of traditions, the Lothian and Borders have their own set of local customs that are as curious as they are entertaining. The Borders is known for its annual Common Riding festivals that see hundreds of people on horseback ride through the towns and villages, performing age-old rituals, during July and August. The spectacle is a sight to behold and is considered to be one of the biggest equestrian events in Europe.
For culture vultures, the region is on the doorstep of Edinburgh, which offers world-class festivals, nightlife, arts, and food. And, if all that still isn’t enough to attract you, South Scotland was recently named the third happiest region in the country, according to the Bank of Scotland Happiness Index.
What are you waiting for? Why not begin your own adventure in the Lothian and Borders by discovering the latest career opportunities in the region on s1jobs?