The Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, can be quite cold and overcast because of the rains. Yet its inhabitants rank among the happiest in Britain. So what is their secret to happiness?
The Outer Hebrides Islands include many large and small surrounding islands, with a population of about 26,000 people. People can use a plane or ferry from the UK to get there.
And believe it or not, according to the annual welfare survey released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), residents here rank as the happiest in the UK. They also ranked in the top 5 for life satisfaction.
Residents of the Outer Hebrides are ranked among the happiest in the UK.
University of Sussex lecturer – George Mackerron – who studies the relationship between the environment and happiness has discovered Mappiness – an application that tracks people’s happiness index.
The app was released in 2010, receiving 3.5 million responses from 65,000 people across the UK. Through data analysis, Mackerron found that people are happier living in a natural environment.
Studies show that living near water makes people happier.
“We found that people were happier when they lived in an environment closer to nature than in the city ,” Mackerron said. “In particular, when living near water, people are happier .”
As can be seen, “green space” covers the entire Outer Hebrides, making it famous for its fairy-tale beauty.
Here are the turquoise beaches with a few cows lounging in the sun, the pristine flowers gently swaying in the breeze, the brilliant, beautiful fields right at the foot of the lighthouse.
A boat trip to the Shiant Isles offers plenty of “green space” to see.
However, nature in the Outer Hebrides does not always make people happy. The scenery here is often hidden by heavy rains, and winds can reach 160km/h, not to mention the long, murky winter days.
That is intimacy – the secret of happiness.
The Outer Hebrides have many towns, but most are small and uninhabited. As the town of Tarbert is located on the island of Harbert, the population is only about 500 people.
According to a scientific study, living in small communities can make people happier. Economist John F Helliwell, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, said: ” Research shows that small communities are more conscious, have higher levels of trust and spend more time with family. and friends” .
Studies show that living in smaller communities makes people happier.
If you have the opportunity to come to the Outer Hebrides, in addition to enjoying the scenery, do not forget to experience the interesting social interactions here. For example, during the annual Heb Celt music festival season. A holiday-like atmosphere fills the streets of Stormoway – the largest town in the archipelago, as locals and visitors busily prepare for the festival.
During the annual Heb Celt festival , traditional music seems to fill the streets. So, even if you are just a passerby, you can still feel the warmth of friendship spreading from the community here.
During the annual Heb Celt festival, traditional music fills the streets of Stormoway.
Donald Macsween, a radio broadcaster on Lewis Island, said: “The people – that’s what kept me here” – Macsween has almost lived here since childhood.
Claire Macleod, who has returned to the Outer Hebrides after 18 years on the mainland of Scotland, said : “We have a wonderful environment. Here there is scenery, there is big sky, fresh air and water.” .
“But for me, the best thing is that I always consider the residents here as a family. I always feel safe and protected when living on this small island.”
“It sounds romantic, but for the people of the Outer Hebrides, we consider the islands home.”
“I think the population here is more than a social community. There is always a connection between the people of the Outer Hebrides. No one can deny the charm of the landscape here, but it is the camaraderie that makes the Outer Hebrides more appealing. The Outer Hebrides becomes special.”
With such a close and warm bond between people, it’s no surprise that the Outer Hebrides has become one of the happiest places in the UK.