Establishing a vegetable plot, redesigning the garden and learning how to cook are just some of the must haves on Scotland’s new normal bucket list.

Research carried out in Scotland by The National Lottery ahead of a £15M ‘Must Be Won’ Lotto jackpot draw this Saturday has shown that many would prefer more simple bucket list goals following lockdown, with creating an extensive vegetable plot (14%), redesigning the garden (13%) and learning how to cook some of the top must-dos on their new-look normal bucket list.

More than half of respondents (59%) have changed their wish list since the Covid-19 outbreak and now dream of unleashing their inner Gordon Ramsay or Alan Titchmarsh as opposed to heading straight for the luxury supercar showroom, travel agent or designer clothes store.

Scotland’s wishlist is now much closer to home and motivated by keeping their nearest and dearest safe (43%), reducing stress and worry (37%) and living a healthier lifestyle (37%).

Learning a new skill is high on the agenda at the moment for many Scots, with learning a new language (13%) and how to cook/improve cooking/baking skills (12%) both making the top ten.

Scotland’s entrepreneurial sprit shone through with starting a business making an appearance on the bucket list. For those dreaming of starting their own business, enterprises in animal care topped the list, followed by those looking to turn their gardening ambitions into a new career.

From online entrepreneurs, to new careers as dog sitters, Scotland’s bucket listers want to turn their passions into paychecks, while improving their work-life balance.

While nurturing the garden tops the wish list, Scots are still an adventurous lot and dream of exploring the beautiful countryside. Once gardens are in tip top condition and restrictions eased, 10% would like to buy a camper van or RV and take to the open road to explore the UK and beyond with a further 10% dreaming of bagging Munros and hiking notable trails like the West Highland Way.

For those who want to make their adventures more permanent, 6% dream of a move to the coast while 8% yearn to settle in the countryside.

With a £15M ‘Must Be Won’ Lotto jackpot up for grabs on Saturday, participants from across Scotland were also asked how they might spend a big National Lottery win. The ‘Simple Life’ trend continues with the international jet setter lifestyle and all its trappings firmly replaced by a seaside holiday home (22%) and a desire to be with those dearest to us (11% dream of having a country estate where their whole family could live).

‘Giving back’ is also key for those with deep Lotto pockets, whether donating to charity or the NHS (16%), creating a wildlife sanctuary (9%) or simply giving up work to volunteer (8%).

Commenting on the findings, Camelot’s Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery said,

“Scotland’s ‘new normal’ bucket list has certainly changed tack following lockdown however while our movements may have been curtailed, our dreams have not and they are now firmly focused around the simple joys of life.

“Over the years we have seen our winners relish the freedom a big win gives them, allowing them to follow their dreams. What we are seeing now is that those  dreams are closer to home and based around the people and experiences we value the most. The greatest happiness often comes from having more free time to spend time with family and friends, trying a new hobby or investing in a campervan and hitting the open road. This research shows that if one person wins £15M on Saturday night, they are most likely to splash out on a country estate with its very own walled kitchen garden rather than a fleet of sports cars!”

This Saturday’s Lotto draw (27 June) is a special ‘Must Be Won’ event draw with a £15M jackpot up for grabs. The life-changing jackpot cannot roll beyond this draw so if no one matches all six main numbers then the prize will roll down potentially creating lots of millionaires (when players match five main numbers and the bonus ball) as well as boosting the prizes at all levels. Players can check their tickets online at www.national-lottery.co.uk or via the National Lottery App.

SCOTLAND’S NEW NORMAL BUCKET LIST TOP 20

1	Grow my own vegetables/ get an allotment
2	Redesign my garden
3	Learn to speak a new language
4	Learn how to cook/improve cooking/baking skills
5	Buy a camper van or RV and explore more of the UK
6	Climb a mountain / Hike a noteworthy trail
7	Volunteer for a charity on a regular basis
8	Drive-in cinema experience
9	Install a hot tub
10	Have private exercise/yoga lessons to get fit
11	Move to the countryside
12	Retrain for a new career
13	Create a pub/bar in your garden
14	Learn to sew or knit
15	Be taught meditation/mindfulness
16	Try fresh water swimming
17	Set up my own business
18	Move to the seaside
19	Befriend an isolated or lonely person locally
20	Learn a new creative hobby such as painting or pottery