In Scotland, it's less than the proper thing (5)
I believe the answer is:
perth
'in scotland' is the definition.
(I know that Perth is in Scotland)
'less than the proper thing' is the wordplay.
'less' says the answer is hidden in the clue (the clue less some of the letters in it).
'PERTH' is hidden in the letters of 'than proper thing'.
'it's' is the link.
(Other definitions for perth that I've seen before include "Home of fair maid" , "Australian or Scottish city" , "Western Australia's capital" , "Capital of Western Australia" , "Scottish/Australian city" .)