Facebook, phones and online friends are contributing to a weakening sense of community.
That is according to research by Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, who've found only 40% of Scots feel there's a strong neighbourly spirit where they live.
But most people surveyed North of the border believe that friends are more important than family in creating a community atmosphere.
Less than half of homeowners in the UK believe there is a strong sense of community in their local area, with almost a quarter feeling it is lacking in their neighbourhood. The research also revealed that friends, rather than family, now hold the key to community spirit, reflecting the fact that many people now live further away from family members, which places increased importance on the relevance and support of friends.
Jane McCartney is a psychologist, she says online conversations are no match for a friendly chat:
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