Courtesy Scotsman

by SCOTT MACNAB

IT IS the sleepy region nestling in the Campsie Fells which is now the most expensive place to live in Scotland.

East Dunbartonshire, which includes the exclusive neighbourhoods of Milngavie and Bearsden along with Kirkintilloch and Lenzie, now carries an average cost of £219,700 for potential buyers.

The area has overtaken nearby East Renfrewshire – including hotspots like Clarkston and Newton Mearns, prized for high-performing state schools – as the country’s most expensive area.

Latest official figures yesterday indicated that Scotland’s housing market continues to return to the levels last seen before the crash six years ago.

The number of homes sold hit 17,828 between January and March – the highest volume of sales since 2007-8.

But although prices are up in some areas, others are seeing significant falls in value.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: “This is the third successive quarter that volumes are up over 22 per cent on the previous year, illustrating consolidated growth in the volume of sales.

“The Scottish Government is taking action to stimulate the housing market through our help to buy (Scotland) scheme.”

So far, 145 housebuilders have registered with the scheme and six lenders are offering mortgages under help to buy.

Ms Burgess added: “So far there have been 874 completed sales, demonstrating the popularity of the scheme.”

Edinburgh recorded the highest number of sales with 2,002 homes snapped up, an increase of 22.1 per cent on the previous year.

The price of housing is rising in most parts of Scotland – although a third of council areas are still experiencing falls.