A recent survey from lettings platform Goodlord has reported a 63% rise in the number of Americans renting properties in Scotland since Donald Trump's re-election in November 2024. This increase is from 265 properties in 2024 to 431 this year.
Data from Rightmove also indicates that 28% of inquiries from Americans about buying a home in the UK are for Scotland, which is a larger number than for London.
Reasons cited for Scotland's appeal include political disenchantment, the prospect of free university tuition fees for children with Scottish residency, and the National Health Service (NHS). The fantasy series Outlander is also mentioned as a less obvious reason for interest in Scotland.
Tammi Gaw, a property adviser who moved to Glasgow four years ago, suggests that the cost of the annual immigration health surcharge for those moving to the UK is considered a bargain compared to American health insurance plans. She also notes that prescriptions are free for all in Scotland.