Dynamic cities and coastal towns with strong communities.
View schools on map →Aberdeen and the North East is a region of contrasts — from the energy and ambition of Aberdeen City to the quiet fishing villages of Moray and the rolling farmland of Aberdeenshire. The region covers three local authorities, each offering a different pace of life while sharing a strong sense of community and a proud local identity.
Explore school performance, compare local house prices and crime data, and discover the communities that best match your family's needs.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE Aberdeen and the North East
From Aberdeen's vibrant harbour city to the Aberdeenshire countryside and the dramatic Moray coast, the North East of Scotland offers families an exceptional quality of life with strong schools and a resilient local economy.
A well-regarded collection of primary and secondary schools across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray, with many consistently achieving strong results.
From Aberdeen's granite city centre to Aberdeenshire market towns and Moray's coastal villages, there's a community to suit every family.
Rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Aberdeen International Airport and well-maintained roads connect the North East to the rest of Scotland and beyond.
Miles of dramatic coastline, the Cairngorms National Park and the Castle Trail make the North East a brilliant base for outdoor families.
Traditionally strong in energy and agriculture, Aberdeen's economy is increasingly diversified across life sciences, tech and the creative industries.
A strong sense of local identity, warm communities and a rich cultural heritage make Aberdeen and the North East a great place to put down roots.
TOP SCHOOLS
| # | School | Rating | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |
Middleton Park School
Aberdeen City
|
Excellent | 5.8/6 |
| 🥈 |
Hill of Banchory School
Aberdeenshire
|
Excellent | 5.8/6 |
| 🥉 |
Tough School
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 5.4/6 |
| 4 |
Fernielea School
Aberdeen City
|
Very Good | 5.2/6 |
| 5 |
Airyhall School
Aberdeen City
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 6 |
Cornhill School
Aberdeen City
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 7 |
Kingswells Primary School
Aberdeen City
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 8 |
Bervie School
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 9 |
Chapel Of Garioch School
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 10 |
Crathes School
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| # | School | Rating | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |
Oldmachar Academy
Aberdeen City
|
Excellent | 74% |
| 🥈 |
Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen City
|
Excellent | 72% |
| 🥉 |
Cults Academy
Aberdeen City
|
Excellent | 71% |
| 4 |
Banchory Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Excellent | 62% |
| 5 |
Westhill Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 57% |
| 6 |
Kemnay Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 56% |
| 7 |
Mackie Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 48% |
| 8 |
Aboyne Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 46% |
| 9 |
Ellon Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Very Good | 46% |
| 10 |
Alford Academy
Aberdeenshire
|
Good | 41% |
Scotland average (detached): £338,748 · Source: UK HPI, March 2026
Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024/2025, Scottish Government
