Scottish housing market continues show of strength
Scotland’s housing market ended October on a strong note, with average prices reaching a new high of £233,800, up 0.5 per cent month-on-month, according to new analysis.
The latest Walker Fraser Steele Acadata House Price Index found that, unlike the more subdued picture across England and Wales, Scotland has enjoyed a consistent run of gains in recent months.
Sales activity has picked up too, with an estimated 10,000 transactions in October, putting total volumes 6 per cent ahead of last year.
The Walker Fraser Steele Acadata House Price Index is produced by Acadata, a consultancy specialising in house price data. Walker Fraser Steele is a firm of chartered surveyors in Scotland.
The recently published index found that price growth is also more geographically widespread than at any point in 2025. In October alone, five more local authorities reached record highs, bringing the total to 21 out of 32 this year.
It said that standout performers include Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire, both posting 8.6 per cent annual growth.
It added that Glasgow and Renfrewshire continue to show long-term strength, with annual increases reported every month since early 2024.
Scott Jack, regional development director at Walker Fraser Steele, said: “Recent months have seen consistent gains, supported by stronger sales activity and increased mortgage lending.”
He added: “Looking ahead, Scotland’s housing market appears well placed to maintain its strength into 2026. Softer mortgage rates and anticipated base rate cuts should support affordability, even as remortgaging activity picks up. With supply still constrained, these factors point to continued resilience and modest price growth in the year ahead.”
Walker Fraser Steele said that while affordability pressures remain, Scotland is currently avoiding the policy-driven disruption seen elsewhere in the UK. It said that with no sign of a local “mansion tax”, and national support schemes like the proposed first-time buyer ISA on the horizon, the market is well-positioned to carry its strength into 2026.
It concluded that while the market tends to slow in the run-up to Christmas, experts are suggesting 2026 will see the market in Scotland in rude health, pointing to grounds for optimism.
However, large numbers of borrowers will be remortgaging in the year and probably at higher rates than they are currently paying.
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