Live

There’s something for everyone if you choose to live in Argyll and Bute.

Discover Argyll and Bute

We have five main towns: Oban, Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Dunoon and Rothesay and plenty of smaller towns and villages.

There are also 23 inhabited islands, more than any other local authority in Scotland. Around 17% of the population lives on islands and with a coastline of more than 3,000km almost 80% of us live within one kilometre of the sea.

Argyll and Bute covers nearly 10% of Scotland’s land mass, so whether you’re looking for a town centre apartment with excellent links to the Central Belt or a rural retreat, you’re sure to find it here.

Moving to Argyll and Bute?

Support is available to make the move and settle happily in Argyll and Bute. We can offer –

Someone to speak to regarding general enquiries
Information on access to local services and networks
Advice on where to find local amenities, jobs and childcare
Connecting new residents with those who have also made the move to Argyll and Bute

Have a query? Contact the Settlement Project Support Officer at settlementproject@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Support for moving to Argyll and Bute

Better connected

People often don’t realise how close Argyll and Bute is to Scotland’s central belt or how beautiful it is to travel around the region.

Improved rail services mean you have more choice when travelling from Glasgow to Oban than ever before. There are regular direct train services between Helensburgh, Glasgow and Edinburgh. There’s also an over-night sleeper service connecting Helensburgh to London.

Ferry services link us to the Central Belt, Ayrshire and Northern Ireland as well as providing important links to 15 Argyll islands, the Outer Hebrides and Arran.

Growing air services link Glasgow with Kintyre, Tiree and Islay in less than an hour. You can fly from Oban to the spectacular, Inner Hebridean islands of Coll, Colonsay and Tiree in 30 minutes.

Local bus services are supplemented with direct services from Glasgow to Oban, Lochgilphead, Campbeltown, Helensburgh and Inveraray.

Public services

Public services deliver varied support for communities and businesses. You can find out about the huge range of services available from Argyll and Bute Council on the council website.

From schools to business advice, and from bin collections or planning to environmental health and transport services, Argyll and Bute Council’s support runs through all aspects of life here.

We have superfast broadband in many areas and good connections elsewhere. Our 4G mobile
service is developing all the time and there is investment to ensure that our digital connectivity isconstantly improving.

We have lots of amazing independent shops selling local goods and produce. In addition you will find a number of well-known, national supermarket chains in our main towns, including Tesco, Morrisons, the Co-op, Aldi, Lidl and M&S Food.

Your family’s health will be looked after by NHS Highland, which has GP practices and hospitals throughout the area. Additional health support comes from the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley; Vale of Leven Hospital, Dumbarton; and the Queen Elizabeth and Golden Jubilee Hospitals, Glasgow.

Housing

Home Argyll is your online guide for housing options throughout the area. It’s a partnership of local housing associations set up to provide quality housing advice for everyone.

Many people choose to rent when they first move here. There is a selection of rental agencies and estate agents who deal with property letting throughout the area.

Some people choose to rent out their property privately. The best place to see these are on local notice boards, in shops or on sites such as Facebook and Gumtree. You might want to put up your own advert if you are looking for a place to stay.

If you want to buy, there is a great choice of family homes, flats, cottages and rural properties. There are plots of land for sale if you are interested in building your own home. Again, refer to the list of estate agents for the local offer or simply visit well-known sites such as Rightmove, S1 Homes and Zoopla. The council website can provide you with advice on gaining planning permission.

Housing is more plentiful in some areas than others. Oban for example is a very popular place to live, so there are fewer houses available. However, there are plans for new housing developments. New homes are also being built right now in Helensburgh. Good news for people looking for seaside homes – Campbeltown and Rothesay offer some of the best buying opportunities in the UK.

Argyll is a great place to be because it’s wild and accessible at the same time and there’s always an adventure to be had.
I’ve fallen in love with it.”

Arlene Cullum, Cove

I am definitely backing “Choose Argyll, Love Argyll” as I am living proof that opportunities are available here.”

Richard Hunt Smith

The scenery is stunning, there are outdoor activities in abundance, no rush hour traffic, and everyone is very friendly and open. If you enjoy the great outdoors, want a more laid-back approach to life, want your children to grow up without the pressures to grow up too quickly, and with nature playing a huge part in their life then Argyll and Bute is the best.

Lorna Mitchell

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site,
you are consenting to the use of cookies as set out in our cookie policy.