Correspondence to Aileen Stockdale, Department of Geography, University of Aberdeen, Kings College, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF, UK.

Two of the most important demographic trends to emerge in recent decades have been the growth of a highly mobile ageing population and a deconcentration of persons from urban to rural areas. This paper investigates Bures' (1997) retirement transition hypothesis for the mobility patterns of pre-retirement age groups in relation to the repopulation of rural areas of England and Scotland. It incorporates household survey data relating to the migration patterns and decisions of those aged between 50 and 64 years. Evidence is obtained to support Bures' hypothesis. It is suggested that an economic transition accompanies any retirement transition. In addition, differences in the nature of the retirement transition are observed between the repopulation of rural England and Scotland. These trends have important policy implications for the future of rural areas. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.