Largest Cities in Scotland

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Best Scotland Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.
Cleanest Air Cities
Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.
Sunniest Cities
Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.
Most Urban Cities
Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.
Population & Density
Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense
Climate & Air
Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Snowiest Cities
Geography & Infrastructure
Highest Elevation Most Restaurants
All Countries  ·  United Kingdom  ·  Scotland

Largest Cities - Scotland

1 Glasgow 635,640
2 Edinburgh 488,050
3 Aberdeen 200,680
4 Dundee 148,280
5 Paisley 77,220
6 East Kilbride 75,120
7 Livingston 57,030
8 Meikle Earnock 54,080
9 Hamilton 54,080
10 Dunfermline 53,100
11 Cumbernauld 50,920
12 Kirkcaldy 50,010
13 Perth 47,430
14 Inverness 47,380
15 Ayr 46,780
16 Kilmarnock 46,770
17 Coatbridge 43,960
18 Greenock 41,990
19 Glenrothes 38,510
20 Stirling 37,910
21 Airdrie 37,410
22 Falkirk 35,850
23 Irvine 34,090
24 Dumfries 33,440
25 Motherwell 32,590
26 Rutherglen 31,190
27 Wishaw 30,290
28 Cambuslang 29,100
29 Bearsden 28,120
30 Newton Mearns 26,600
31 Clydebank 26,320
32 Elgin 24,760
33 Vale of Leven 24,640
34 Arbroath 23,940
35 Bishopbriggs 23,540
36 Bathgate 22,920
37 Renfrew 22,570
38 Kirkintilloch 21,380
39 Musselburgh 20,840
40 Dumbarton 20,560
41 Bellshill 20,290
42 Peterhead 19,270
43 Isle of Lewis 18,500
44 Dalserf 17,985
45 Barrhead 17,610
46 Bonnyrigg 17,530
47 Blantyre 16,900
48 High Blantyre 16,739
49 Grangemouth 16,650
50 Saint Andrews 16,460
51 Kilwinning 16,460
52 Nigg 16,400
53 Penicuik 16,120
54 Johnstone 16,090
55 Viewpark 15,770
56 Erskine 15,510
57 Broxburn 15,440
58 Bo’ness 14,760
59 Larkhall 14,740
60 Prestwick 14,720
61 Troon 14,710
62 Port Glasgow 14,620
63 Alloa 14,440
64 Forfar 14,230
65 Rosyth 13,780
66 Hawick 13,740
67 Inverurie 13,640
68 Helensburgh 13,640
69 Mayfield 13,570
70 Mossend 13,480
71 Dalkeith 13,400
72 Carluke 13,320
73 Linlithgow 13,260
74 Fraserburgh 13,180
75 Galashiels 13,000
76 Milngavie 12,940
77 Saltcoats 12,640
78 Armadale 12,550
79 Giffnock 12,300
80 Westhill 12,290
81 Tranent 12,140
82 Montrose 12,100
83 Cowdenbeath 11,640
84 Carnoustie 11,360
85 Largs 11,260
86 Stonehaven 11,170
87 Larbert 11,050
88 Whitburn 10,860
89 Methil 10,800
90 Ardrossan 10,670
91 Prestonpans 10,410
92 Gourock 10,350
93 Stranraer 10,320
94 Ellon 10,200
95 Fort William 10,175
96 Forres 10,100
97 Kilsyth 10,080
98 Dalgety Bay 10,050
99 Nairn 10,022
100 Clarkston 9,860

The largest cities in Scotland represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Glasgow leads with a population of 635,640, followed by Edinburgh and Aberdeen. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. SCT dominates the top 10 with 10 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Glasgow's population is larger than that of many small nations.
  • 2. SCT has 10 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 16,460 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 1,549,870.

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