Scotland Property Buying Guide

Occupying the northern third of the British Isles, Scotland covers more than 30,000 square miles. The country shares a 96-mile border with England, home to more than five million residents across 32 council areas, including North Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Renfrewshire and Fife.

Scotland’s two most prominent cities are Glasgow and Edinburgh, which account for over a million Scottish residents. Known for its dramatic contrasts and spectacular natural beauty, Scotland has two national parks and over 900 beautiful islands.

Whether you’re looking for property advice for buying in Scotland or ideas on what to consider when searching for a place to live, this beautiful country has many great options.

Famous for its diverse landscapes, from vibrant, cosmopolitan cities to expansive stretches of open countryside, Scotland is a brilliant place for property investment.

Edinburgh keeps topping the charts as one of the UK’s property investment hotspots. The city is known for its history, world-class culture, leading universities and thriving economy. Edinburgh is ripe for investing, with local property prices rising by around 10% between 2020 and 2023.

Glasgow is also among the UK’s top places to invest based on rental yields, capital growth and future investment and regeneration. With significantly lower house prices than Edinburgh, Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow could be ideal for finding affordable investment property in Scotland.

According to Zoopla, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, Stirling and Aberdeen also rank highly among Scotland’s best investment areas.

Scotland has many sought-after areas, from traditional towns to modern cities and charming rural villages.

St Andrews

A town that sees some of the highest property demand in Scotland, St Andrews has a desirable location on the country’s east coast. With local beaches, world-famous golf courses, culture and historical landmarks, the town is also home to a highly-regarded university.

North Berwick

Just under 25 miles from Edinburgh, this picture-perfect seaside town lies on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. North Berwick ranks among the UK’s most desirable places to live.

Dumfries

Dumfries is an attractive market town in southwest Scotland. New homes here are a short drive from Stirling, perfect for exploring its historic castle and Old Town Jail.

Whether your family is keen on exploring the great outdoors, spending time in the city or relaxing on the beach, Scotland suits every lifestyle.

Stirling

One of Scotland’s best family locations, Stirling, is an attractive, charming city packed with history. Stirling is home to many schools and has excellent access to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Motherwell

Motherwell boasts excellent schools, access to green spaces and strong transport links to neighbouring Glasgow.

Bishopton

A stone's throw from Glasgow and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Bishopton is an excellent place for families to call home. Whether you want to learn more about Scotland's heritage at a museum or prefer spending time outdoors, you'll be spoilt for choice here.

Education Scotland rankings of best schools in Scotland 

School	Education Scotland Rating	Date of Inspection
Riverside Primary School	Excellent	September 2017
Strathmartine Primary School	Very Good	October 2017
St Albert’s Primary School	Very Good	June 2017
Blackhall Primary School	Very Good	September 2017
St Anthony's Primary School	Very Good	June 2018
St Ninian’s High School	Excellent	June 2019
Gryffe High School	Excellent	August 2020
Boroughmuir High School	Very Good	March 2020
Aberdeen Grammar School	Very Good	December 2018
Hillhead High School	Very Good	June 2018

 

Scotland boasts swathes of beautiful natural landscapes and some of the best countryside in the UK. The country’s mainland is spectacular, from the national parks, Loch Lomond and the Cairngorms, to over 6,000 miles of coastline. There is also another 5,000 miles of island coastline and endless stretches of Highlands and Lowlands scenery to explore.

Alexandria

At the southern tip of Loch Lomond, this pretty town is dissected by the River Leven, flowing south to meet the River Clyde. Alexandria is a short drive from Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, lochs and a breathtaking stretch of Scotland’s western coastline.

Inverness

Inverness is tough to beat for riverside property in Scotland. This picturesque city lies at the meeting point of the River Ness, Moray Firth and Beauly Firth. There’s stunning natural scenery in every direction, including rugged coastline, Highlands mountains and the Cairngorms National Park. Not to mention the famous Loch Ness!

Peterhead

There are many reasons to move to the coast. Peterhead is a leading fishing town offering the best coastal living: a thriving local economy, miles of sandy beaches on its doorstep and access to beautiful countryside inland.

Scotland caters to everyone. From atmospheric Highland landscapes to charming coastal towns and bustling Glasgow and Edinburgh, pinpointing the best markets in Scotland comes down to personal taste.

Certain areas stand out for their ability to cater to modern living. The Central Belt region has the country’s highest population density; this is where you’ll find the most significant Scottish cities, the highest concentration of amenities and transport links.

The M8 motorway is a vital road between Glasgow and Edinburgh, connecting the cities in an hour. Other major roads include the M9, M80 and A74(M), which head south towards the border with England and Carlisle. ScotRail is the country’s most prominent rail network, while Caledonian Sleeper trains offer overnight services to London.

Buying your home in Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland’s second-largest city, slowly shedding its industrial heritage to become a modern, cosmopolitan urban centre. House prices in Glasgow rose by 5% between 2022 and 2023.

Rutherglen

On the south bank of the River Clyde, this town is only a few miles from the city centre with access to fantastic amenities. Close to Hampden Park, with trains to the city taking less than ten minutes, Rutherglen could be an area to consider for more affordable housing in Glasgow.

Robroyston

On the northwest outskirts of Glasgow, this attractive suburb is a ten-minute drive from the city centre. A local train station offers direct services into town and plenty of green spaces, including Robroyston Park. House prices in Robroyston rose by 10% between 2020 and 2023.

Buying your home in Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is a highly desirable place to live. From great things to do in Edinburgh to excellent schools, access to natural spaces and top restaurants, it’s no surprise that Edinburgh homes are always in high demand.

Fairmilehead

If you want to live on the capital’s southern outskirts with excellent access to the city centre and surrounding countryside, this pleasant area could be for you. Property prices in Fairmilehead rose by around 10% between 2020 and 2023.

Portobello

Prefer coastal living? Portobello is a beautiful seaside suburb with excellent property potential. House prices increased by around 7% between 2020 and 2023, reflecting the popularity of the local Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the convenience of links to the capital.

Buying your home in Dundee

A great place to raise a family thanks to its low pollution, quality of life and local schools, Dundee lies on the north shore of the Firth of Tay along Scotland’s scenic east coast. Dundee’s average house price increased by 3% between 2020 and 2023.

Buying your home in East Kilbride

Located less than ten miles southeast of Glasgow, East Kilbride offers a more relaxed pace of life than the nearby city. With trains into Glasgow taking less than 40 minutes, South Lanarkshire’s largest town is surrounded by Langlands Moss and James Hamilton Heritage Park. House prices in East Kilbride increased by 7% between 2020 and 2023.

Buying your home in Aberdeen

Another ideal area for family living, Aberdeen enjoys an incredible setting on Scotland’s North Sea coast. With a thriving local economy, local beaches and plenty of good schools, it’s no wonder properties here are always in high demand.

Balmedie

Another popular suburb, this village is the best place to enjoy the local coastline. Balmedie is a beautiful part of Scotland with miles of local beaches and a country park.

Buying your home in Paisley

Paisley is only eight miles from the centre of Glasgow, with trains getting there in under ten minutes. Residents can also enjoy Brodie Park and the expansive Gleniffer Braes Country Park. Local house prices in Paisley rose by more than 10% between 2020 and 2023.