Agricultural community with Scottish heritage
The rural town of Scotland, situated in Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” features a variety of home styles separated by state forest and farmland. The area’s first settler, Isaac Magoon, purchased 1,950 acres in the year 1700 and is believed to have named it Scotland to commemorate his homeland. It remained part of the Town of Windham until 1857, when the state granted a petition to make it independent. To preserve its rural identity, the town passed a zoning regulation in the late 1900s requiring a minimum of 25% of the town be used as open space. Today, Scotland is still a predominantly agricultural community, but access to major thoroughfares and nearby cities like Windham keep locals connected to modern conveniences.
Outdoor attractions around Scotland
The Scotland Town Green along Huntington Road is a small community park with a bandstand that hosts occasional concerts, and an open space that holds a weekly farmers market from May to October. The Rock Spring Preserve offers a two-mile, looping hiking trail. There’s a kayak launch on Station Road to access the Shetucket River. And the Mohegan Sun Golf Club is 8 miles south with an 18-hole course and on-site pro shop.
Historic and contemporary homes with above-average lot sizes
Homebuyers can find colonials from the late 1700s to the early 1900s, ranch-style houses and split-levels from the mid-1900s and contemporary homes from the last 30 years. Properties usually sit farther back from the road and feature above-average front and backyards. Depending on the style, houses may also come with attached or detached garages. Homes typically sell for $150,000 to $500,000. The CAP Index gives Scotland a crime score of 1-out-of-10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Low student-teacher ratio at Parish High
Students may start at Scotland Elementary, which gets a B-minus from Niche, for kindergaten through sixth grade. They may then attend Parish High, which also earns a B-minus and operates with a student-teacher ratio of 8-to-1.
Huntington Road connects to I-395
Scotland is car dependent due to its rural streetscape. Huntington Road is the main way in and out of town, running 5 miles west to Windham and 10 miles east to Interstate 395. I-395 turns into Intestate 95 traveling 30 miles south from there. Windham Hospital is located 9 miles west. The closest airport, Rhode Island T.F. Green International, is 43 miles east.
Quarterly Ceilidh, annual Highland Festival
The town holds Ceilidh's once a quarter, which are traditional Scottish social gatherings featuring music and dancing. And in October, their annual Highland Festival offers food vendors, farm animals and more dancing. The festival also puts on the Highland Games, where locals compete in events like solo piping and drumming, dancing, athletics and sword fighting.
Shopping and dining in Canterbury
Residents will have to leave town for shopping and dining. Better Valu Supermarkets is 6 miles east in Canterbury for essentials. Canterbury also has local restaurants like D & G Pizza & Pub and Ryan’s Place. Willimantic Plaza offers additional retailers 10 miles west.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
