The search for more inside and outside space has underpinned the revival across Scotland’s country locations, with prime transactions above £400,000 increasing annually by 43% during the 12 months ending March 2021. 

Pragmatic pricing has remained at the heart of this revival. Supply constraints so far this year have supported prime value growth of 5.6% in the 12 months ending March 2021.

That said, values remain 21.6% below their previous 2007 peak, which acts as an additional driver, particularly for those looking for more space. This trend is likely to persist as demand continues to outstrip supply of the best properties.

North East

The prime markets across Scotland’s North East, including Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray were among Scotland’s leading country locations. An adjustment in values reinvigorated Aberdeenshire, with a significant pickup in the attractive Deeside village of Aboyne. Elgin in Moray as well as Forfar and Kirriemuir in Angus led the country markets across the wider North East.

Transactional activity also increased in southern Kincardineshire at the edge of Aberdeenshire and parts of eastern Perthshire. Meanwhile, the market improved across the coastal towns of Montrose, Arbroath and Carnoustie.

Heartland

Scotland’s heartland has seen a record number of prime transactions, led by Perthshire. Here, the towns of Crieff, Pitlochry and Dunkeld as well as villages surrounding Perth City were at the forefront.

In Fife, despite a lack of international buyers, the prime market in St Andrews continues to soar. The nearby relatively attainable town of Cupar and coastal villages around the East Neuk, including Elie, have also attracted more buyers over the last year.

Following an unusually lean period of prime activity, the market in Dunblane near Stirling recorded its highest number of transactions in a decade.

Meanwhile, the market remains strong in the western villages of Strathblane, Blanefield and Balfron, given their accessibility to Glasgow.

West Coast

In the country markets west of Glasgow, prime activity more than doubled in Ayrshire, led by coastal hotspots along the Firth of Clyde, including Ayr, Troon, Seamill and the Isle of Arran. In Argyll, prime market conditions in the seaside hotspot of Helensburgh are the strongest in a decade, with a rise in activity further west in the coastal towns of Dunoon, Oban, Campbeltown, Cairndow and Lochgilphead.

Southern Scotland

The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are also enjoying their best prime markets in a decade with widespread growth, from the North Sea to the North Channel. Here, prime activity has grown in and around Kelso, West Linton, Dumfries Town and Moffat.