Tools
Compare Scottish Councils
Moving between council areas? Choosing where to live? Pick any two of Scotland’s 32 councils and compare what matters for families — school grants, catchment tools, holidays and local context.
| Metric | Aberdeen City | Aberdeenshire |
|---|---|---|
| Region | North Scotland | North Scotland |
| Clothing grant (primary) | £120 | £120 |
| Clothing grant (secondary) | £150 | £150 |
| Grant confirmed? | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Online catchment finder | Yes | Yes |
| Placing request deadline | 15 March | 15 March |
| Free school meals | Universal P1–P5 | Universal P1–P5 |
Aberdeen City
Aberdeen is Scotland's third-largest city with around 50 primary and 12 secondary schools. The oil and gas industry shapes the city's economy, and schools benefit from above-average funding. Catchment areas are well-defined and the council's online school finder is straightforward. Several secondaries — including Cults Academy and Aberdeen Grammar — are consistently among Scotland's top performers.
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland's largest council areas by geography, stretching from the Cairngorms to the coast. It has over 150 primary schools — many small rural schools with fewer than 50 pupils — and 17 secondary academies. School transport is a major consideration for rural families; the council provides free transport for pupils living beyond the walking distance threshold.
Clothing grant amounts are for the current academic year. Higher amounts shown in green. All Scottish councils offer universal free school meals for P1–P5 and means-tested from P6. The placing request deadline is 15 March for all councils.