THE VOICE OF PROPERTY

REALISTIC pricing has been one of the main drivers behind the increased growth in Scotland’s country locations within recent years, and it’s not only Scottish buyers who are being swayed by value for money rural properties; according to Savills’ head of research, Faisal Choudhry, as a consequence of favourable exchange rates, the number of overseas buyers and those from outside Scotland has increased significantly, particularly in hotspots such as St Andrews.

However, Choudhry cites the middle market, ie £200,000 to £600,000, for the greatest levels of activity, with Fife, Perthshire and Stirlingshire seeing a five per cent increase in average prices during the year ending June 2018, with strong demand for houses with up to 15 acres.

“The standout area was Stirlingshire,” he says, “where the number of transactions and average price increased annually by 7 per cent and 5 per cent respectively, with rising activity in Balfron and Callander.

Choudhry also flags up the Scottish Borders as one of Scotland’s leading areas

over the last year, citing the number of transactions and average price increases annually as three per cent and six per cent respectively.

LARK ASCENDING

IF the enticingly pretty Red Riding Hoodstyle Glencroft Cottage opposite has you lusting for more thatched property offerings, here is another currently on the market.

Skylark Cottage, at Breakish on the Isle of Skye, is an original extended black house in an elevated setting overlooking Broadford Bay. This pretty upgraded thatched cottage is double glazed, has been re-thatched within the last five years and has an electric heating system.

The accommodation includes a shower room, dining kitchen, living room and double bedroom. Details from Remax, Skye. Offers over £195,000.

STANDOUT: Stirlingshire led the way last year with villages such as Balfron, above, seeing highest levels of increased transactions and prices.