Strong September pushes Scottish house prices to new heights
The latest Walker Fraser Steele Acadata House Price Index shows Scotland’s housing market continued to gain ground in September, with average prices increasing by £2,000 (0.9%) compared with August. This takes the average house price to a new record high of £233,081, following two consecutive months of solid gains.
Transaction activity is also on the up. Estimated sales in August reached their highest level for three years, signalling that demand remains firm despite wider economic challenges. Early signs for September suggest this strength has been maintained, with activity supported by easing mortgage rates and a steady flow of buyers returning to the market.
Scott Jack, regional development director at Walker Fraser Steele, commented on the regional picture: “Price growth is evident nationwide. Five local authorities, including East Renfrewshire and Fife, set new highs in September, bringing the total to 19 authorities that have hit records at some point in 2025. While monthly movements vary, the overall picture contrasts sharply with the subdued performance seen in England and Wales, according to Acadata figures.”
While Scotland faces many of the same uncertainties as the rest of the UK, the market appears more insulated. First-time buyers in Scotland tend to be younger, and average property prices are lower, supporting relative affordability. In addition, greater use of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and the Lifetime ISA (LISA) has provided more routes into ownership.
Together, these factors help explain why Scotland’s market is performing more strongly than England and Wales. However, sustained price growth can gradually erode affordability for those at the margins, underlining the importance of boosting new housing supply.