The Orkney Islands have been named the best place in the UK to grow old, with residents enjoying an average healthspan of 72.9 years, according to an Office for National Statistics study. Other regions across the UK barely exceeded 60.
The archipelago off Scotland's northeast coast shares characteristics with global Blue Zones—areas with a disproportionate number of centenarians—such as Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California, USA.
Community spirit
Specialists believe a strong sense of community is vital to living longer. Atlantic Health reports that meaningful connections with others have a significant bearing on long-term health and longevity. Strong social bonds lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, boost cardiovascular health, and safeguard against depression and anxiety.
Moira Kelday, 70, who runs the Stenness Diamond Club for over-60s, told the i: "Community keeps us young. I don't know anybody who just retires. People do volunteering and hobbies."
Food
Diet is an essential lifestyle factor. Donna Cuthbertson, 41, who runs Orkney Dance and Fitness and works with older adults, noted that the islands have far fewer fast food options, with no delivery services such as Deliveroo or UberEats and no McDonald's. Anyone craving fast food must take a ferry or flight to the Scottish mainland. She added: "Residents are not sitting on the M25, getting home late and putting an oven pizza on. If stress levels are lower then you're eating better."
Location
Like Blue Zones, Orkney benefits from its coastal setting. Lesley Palmer, a professor of dementia and ageing design at the University of Stirling, told the i: "The links to the Blue Zones are tempting. There are similarities around resilience, a lifestyle which encourages natural vigorous movement, purpose, and community. And Blue Zones are coastal, with high levels of daylight in the summer months." Coastal living also encourages greater physical activity, reduced stress, and improved air quality.
Exercise
Keeping active is vital. Donna Cuthbertson said: "Orkney is good at social connection—everyone looks out for each other. They're also good at moving, going out, and even when they retire, they don't stop. They're not just doing cardio, but that muscular, functional movement too." Specialists agree that regular physical activity preserves muscle mass and enhances cardiovascular and cognitive health. In Blue Zones, residents commonly walk to shops and tend gardens by hand.
