Scotland has zest for life

Glasgow has plenty of trendy shops

The Big Smoke has been snuffed out by Edinburgh and Glasgow in a list of the UK's "buzzing" cities.

The Scottish capital and its west coast neighbour came second and seventh respectively in a survey for a brand of designer clothes.

Cities were ranged by financial, social, cultural, spiritual, negative and potential energy - a description that suggests a place has a bright future.

Soaring property prices and high crime rates pushed London down to ninth place, ahead of Birmingham.

Top 10

1 Cambridge

2 Edinburgh

3 Manchester

4 Bristol

5 Newcastle

6 Sheffield

7 Glasgow

8 Leeds

9 London

10 Birmingham

A spokeswoman from VisitScotland said: "We are delighted but not surprised that Edinburgh and Glasgow have been recognised as among the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the UK.

"In Scotland we have the unique and enviable position of having two thriving and exciting cities within only an hour's travelling distance of each other, a fact that draws visitors to Scotland and our cities from all over the world".

Dr Justin O'Conner, director of the Manchester Institute of Popular Culture, said: "Many UK cities are experiencing levels of re-energisation unseen for decades.

No dog's life for Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh

"You might expect London to be the most energetic city in the UK, but looking at the negatives as well as the positives, you can see how smaller cities perhaps provide a better option for daily living."

Cambridge came top of the list, scoring highly for its cultural, spiritual and potential life but not for its financial energy.

The latter was rated by new business registrations and the number of employees per city compared to its average dwelling price and council tax (band B).

Suburban money

Social energy was judged by the numbers of nightclubs, bars and pubs.

DKNY Energy Index researchers reinterpreted existing data to compile the statistics, which were assessed in relation to the population of each city.

Their findings appear to support recent upbeat signs from Glasgow, which include boasting one of the UK's wealthiest postcodes and a ringing endorsement of student life in the city.

Cafe life in Glasgow

Edinburgh too is said to be thriving in the midst of a property boom in parts of the city caused in part by the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

But the news is not all good. The furniture store, Habitat, is set to close its store in the flagship Buchanan Galleries in the heart of Glasgow.

It plans to move to smaller premises after being hit by the opening of Ikea at the hugely successful Braehead shopping centre in the south west of Glasgow.