Scotland South is a largely rural region covering two of Scotland's most scenic council areas — Dumfries and Galloway in the west and the Scottish Borders in the east. The region stretches from the Solway Firth to the Cheviot Hills, taking in market towns, coastal communities and wide open countryside.
Explore school performance, compare local house prices and crime data, and discover the communities that best match your family's needs.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE Scotland South
From the Solway coast to the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, Scotland South offers families space, affordability and a quieter way of life — without sacrificing community, culture or connections.
Schools here are deeply rooted in their local communities, offering a personal and supportive learning environment in both Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Among the most affordable areas in Scotland, with characterful market towns, coastal villages and rural properties offering exceptional value.
Good road links to Edinburgh and northern England, with the Borders Railway connecting Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley in under an hour.
The Southern Uplands, Galloway Forest Park and the dramatic Borders hills offer families some of Scotland's most beautiful and unspoilt landscapes.
Agriculture, textiles, tourism and a growing creative sector provide employment across the region, with remote working opening up new opportunities.
Strong local identity, festivals, walking and cycling events and a genuine community spirit make Scotland South a wonderful place to raise a family.
TOP SCHOOLS
| # | School | Rating | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |
Hightae School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Excellent | 6.0/6 |
| 🥈 |
St Michael's School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Excellent | 5.6/6 |
| 🥉 |
Colvend School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 5.4/6 |
| 4 |
Holywood School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 5.2/6 |
| 5 |
Beattock School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 6 |
Kirkcolm School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 7 |
Moffat Academy
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 8 |
Burnfoot Community School
Scottish Borders
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 9 |
Kirkhope Primary School
Scottish Borders
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| 10 |
Westruther Primary School
Scottish Borders
|
Very Good | 5.0/6 |
| # | School | Rating | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |
Peebles High School
Scottish Borders
|
Excellent | 61% |
| 🥈 |
Dalbeattie High School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 49% |
| 🥉 |
Berwickshire High School
Scottish Borders
|
Very Good | 48% |
| 4 |
Dumfries High School
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 47% |
| 5 |
St Joseph's College
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 47% |
| 6 |
Wallace Hall Academy
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Very Good | 47% |
| 7 |
Earlston High School
Scottish Borders
|
Good | 44% |
| 8 |
Dumfries Academy
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Good | 40% |
| 9 |
Moffat Academy
Dumfries and Galloway
|
Good | 39% |
| 10 |
Eyemouth High School
Scottish Borders
|
Good | 38% |
Scotland average (detached): £338,748 · Source: UK HPI, March 2026
Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024/2025, Scottish Government
