Dunfermline, United Kingdom

Capital City

With a population of just 53,100, Dunfermline may seem like a sleepy Scottish town, but the reality is a far cry from tranquil. Bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue, as the city's royal burgh status was only abolished in 1975. And while the climate is relatively moderate, the warming North Sea still brings cool summers and chilly winters. However, the city's rich history, from the Dunfermline Abbey to Andrew Carnegie's birthplace, offers cultural attractions for those drawn to Scotland's past. Overall, Dunfermline is best suited for those seeking a slower pace of life outside Edinburgh, though the bureaucratic tangles may prove a turnoff for some.