Elgin Library ranked second best in UK and top in Scotland
Elgin Library has been named the second highest rated public library in the UK and the highest rated in Scotland, according to new research based on Google reviews.
The library, based in Cooper Park, achieved an average rating of 4.84 stars from 75 reviews, placing it second out of 640 public libraries included in the UK-wide ranking.
The research was carried out in September 2026 on behalf of singlemothersgrants.org, a free guide to grants and financial assistance for single parents.
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Elgin Library and a real credit to the staff who work hard to make it such a welcoming and valued place for the community.
“Our libraries offer so much more than books. They provide access to information, technology, activities and support, as well as safe and welcoming spaces for people of all ages.
“To see Elgin Library rated so highly by the people who use it is particularly rewarding. I’d like to congratulate the whole team and thank everyone who continues to support and make use of our library services.”
Dawn Yates, an education assistance expert at singlemothersgrants.org added: “Libraries are one of the few places left where a family can spend a whole afternoon without spending a penny, and reviews like these show how much people value the ones that get it right.”
“Borrowing books costs nothing, most libraries have free computers and wifi, and many run homework clubs and rhyme times for babies and toddlers, which all helps when money is tight. It’s worth checking what your local library puts on, because a lot of it is free and plenty of families don’t know it’s there.”
The research analysed Google reviews for 640 public libraries across the UK. Rankings were based on average Google scores calculated from each library’s full star breakdown. Libraries with fewer than 50 Google reviews, as well as university, school and members’ libraries, were excluded.
The UK’s 10 highest-rated libraries on Google:
1. Macclesfield Library, Macclesfield (4.85 stars from 103 reviews)
2. Elgin Library, Elgin (4.84 stars from 75 reviews)
3. Lordshill Library, Southampton (4.84 stars from 56 reviews)
4. Acomb Explore Library, York (4.83 stars from 78 reviews)
4. St Neots Library, St Neots (4.83 stars from 66 reviews)
6. Crosby Library, Crosby (4.82 stars from 66 reviews)
7. Lincoln Central Library, Lincoln (4.81 stars from 128 reviews)
7. Bitterne Library, Southampton (4.81 stars from 112 reviews)
9. Woolston Library, Southampton (4.81 stars from 58 reviews)
10. Dereham Library, Dereham (4.81 stars from 79 reviews)