Aberdeen and the north-east
Aberdeen demand tracks the offshore rotation cycle — expect tight availability on Sunday-to-Monday and Friday-to-Saturday changeovers. Base crews in Dyce, Bridge of Don or Cove for airport and heliport proximity.
Glasgow and the central belt
Glasgow serves a wide arc of civils, rail and energy projects. Base near the M8 (Paisley, Bellshill, Braehead) rather than the city centre — you'll save 30-45 minutes on morning drives and pay less per week.
Edinburgh and the Lothians
Edinburgh contractor accommodation is expensive in the centre and often better value on the west (South Gyle, Ratho) for airport-linked work, or the east (Musselburgh, Tranent) for Cockenzie / Torness projects.
Inverness, Fife, Dundee and the Highlands
For projects north of the central belt, base decisions turn on drive time to compound. Inverness serves Highland civils and renewables; Fife serves petrochemical and the Forth crossings; Dundee serves Tay-side and Angus energy work.
Rate expectations
A whole 2-bed contractor apartment in Scotland typically ranges from £550/week (regional towns) to £950/week (central Edinburgh, peak Aberdeen). Whole 4-bed houses range from £1,100 to £1,900/week depending on city and standard.