Brexit and Covid are turning us into property hotspot

As the weathy seek a haven from the twin storms battering the nation Scotland seems a safe destination, writes Jim Duffy

Who would have guessed it? Tens of millions of pounds have been shoved into promoting Scotland as a great place to visit and live. Aye, come see our lochs, glens and distilleries. The bonny banks and aw that…

But, despite all that, as a wee countr y precariously bolted on to Europe at its top end, we have struggled to attract inward investment.

Tourists love it and they used to flock to Edinburgh and Loch Lomond to see the scener y and enjoy a pint of heavy.

Heck, even Donald Trump bought and built golf courses here. But, while all that has been effective in promoting S cotland abroad, it has taken t wo phenomena to rocket S cotland up the ‘must live there’ stakes: Covid-19 and Brexit.

But firstly let me evidence this. I was having a guid look at properties using the optics of the posh estate agents. You know the ones. The shooting and horse riding brigade that categorise rural, farming and shooting estates in ‘point one millions’… give or take.

These estate agents have always been seen by me as the agents for toffs. They sell castles, equestrian dreams and cottages on rivers with fishing rights. And it was only a select few that wanted this or indeed could afford these sprawling manors. But, that has all changed as I looked online at what the countr y has to offer today.

My first big surprise as I perused these posh estate agents was the complete lack of proper ties for sale. That’s because they are selling countr y proper ties within weeks if not days. One reputable agent told me that stuff is flying off the shelf in Per thshire and Fife. Jeepers! He was right. Over the last t wo months, proper ties in these S cottish countr yside locations are being listed and then going to closing dates as quick as one can say – jings- crivenshelpmaboab.

I can’t imagine what offers are being submitted on a Friday at 12 noon by avid buyers competing with each other for a barn conversion in the likes of Dunning or Balmullo.

The next big surprise for me in my ‘buy in the countr y and join the toffs’ research was the t ype of proper t y that is being listed.

Sure, there are plent y of castles, hunting states and land for sale. But, the interesting point to note is that there are a great deal of regular or staple cottages and houses out there to be quite literally snapped up too.

The toff can buy a small castle at 2.3 million quid and you can immediately become a toff overnight if you secure a three -bedroom cottage with a small paddock for 650 grand. You’re upper class over the weekend with Hunter wellies and a Nor thface winter jacket! And a hot tub!

S o why such a rapid race to the countr y when the broadband is poor, there is a lack of pubs, the post offices and banks are closing and the air smells of cow dung?

First up is Covid-19. The cities have become less attractive places to live and bring up families.

The civil order in cities feels a bit out of kilter as there is a denser population with some who want to wear masks and take precautions, while others rebel, protest and get angr y at the perceived ero - sion of civil rights.

The differences bet ween the young and the old have been