House prices soar in Scotland’s seaside towns

House prices soar in Scotland’s seaside towns

The average house price in Scotland’s seaside towns has grown by £348 per month since 2005, according to new data.

The latest Seaside Towns Review from the Bank of Scotland found that over the past decade, the average price has grown by 39 per cent, from £108,449 to £150,210 – exceeding the 32 per cent increase for all seaside towns in Britain.

Seven of the top ten coastal towns with the biggest price increases are located in Aberdeenshire, which for much of the period has been well served by the growth in the oil and gas sector. Fraserburgh has seen the greatest level of house price growth with a rise of 139 per cent from £63,540 in 2005 to £151,719 in 2015, equivalent to a monthly increase of £735. Macduff also recorded a doubling on average property values (102 per cent) from £66,226 to £133,567, followed by Peterhead (95 per cent), Cove Bay (94 per cent) and Newtonhill (91 per cent).

Seaside Towns – 10 biggest house price increases 2005 – 2015



Seaside Town

Average House Price (£) 2005

Average House Price (£) 2015

per cent change

Fraserburgh

63,540

151,719

139 per cent

Lerwick

77,513

159,325

106 per cent

Macduff

66,226

133,567

102 per cent

Peterhead

68,987

134,789

95 per cent

Cove Bay

101,381

196,390

94 per cent

Newtonhill

128,548

245,507

91 per cent

Inverbervie

112,752

213,468

89 per cent

Millport

53,656

98,742

84 per cent

Stonehaven

131,722

236,057

79 per cent

Campbeltown

54,373

91,938

69 per cent

Scottish Seaside Towns

108,449

150,210

39 per cent

All Seaside Towns in GB

166,565

219,386

32 per cent

Source: Full year – Registers of Scotland for 2005 & 2015, 12 months to December

Lerwick in the Shetlands saw the second biggest growth amongst Scottish seaside towns, rising by £81,812 to £159, 325 – an increase of 106 per cent. Other towns outside Aberdeenshire with the largest price increases include Millport (84 per cent) and Campbeltown (69 per cent). A further 22 coastal towns – out of the 59 surveyed – have recorded price increases of at least 50 per cent since 2005.

Over the last year, Lossiemouth saw the largest house price increase, going from £118,330 in 2014 to £139,297 (18 per cent). Fraserburgh (14 per cent), Troon and Thurso (both 13 per cent) were the other top performers.

Seaside Towns – 10 biggest house price increases 2014 – 2015

Seaside Town

Average House Price (£) 2014

Average House Price (£) 2015

per cent change

Lossiemouth

118,330

139,297

18 per cent

Fraserburgh

132,920

151,719

14 per cent

Troon

149,805

169,532

13 per cent

Thurso

88,500

99,660

13 per cent

Irvine

93,736

104,483

11 per cent

Wick

90,124

100,440

11 per cent

North Berwick

294,076

327,124

11 per cent

Eyemouth

120,338

131,983

10 per cent

Ardrossan

94,666

103,746

10 per cent

West Kilbride

162,930

178,361

9 per cent

Scottish Seaside Towns

145,990

150,210

3 per cent

All Seaside Towns in GB

208,811

219,386

5 per cent

Source: Full year – Registers of Scotland for 2014 & 2015, 12 months to December

The top five most expensive properties are located on the eastern coastline. North Berwick has become the most expensive seaside town with an average price of £327,124. St Andrews is the second most expensive (£302,536), followed by Newtonhill (£245,507), Stonehaven (£236,057) and Inverbervie (£213,468).

Seaside Towns – 10 Most Expensive Seaside Towns in Scotland

Seaside Town

Average House Price 2015 (£)

North Berwick

327,124

St Andrews

302,536

Newtonhill

245,507

Stonehaven

236,057

Inverbervie

213,468

Cove Bay

196,390

Dunbar

192,277

Inverkip

186,139

West Kilbride

178,361

Nairn

176,135

Source: Full year – Registers of Scotland for 2015, 12 months to December

Eight out of ten of the least expensive seaside towns are in West Scotland. Port Bannatyne is the most inexpensive in Scotland with an average price of £77,132. All of the top ten least expensive towns have an average price below £100,000.

Seaside Towns – 10 Least Expensive Seaside Towns in Scotland

Seaside Town

Average House Price 2015 (£)

Port Bannatyne

77,132

Girvan

91,912

Campbeltown

91,938

Saltcoats

93,479

Stranraer

96,476

Invergordon

98,673

Millport

98,742

Rothesay

99,005

Thurso

99,660

Greenock

99,894

Source: Full year – Registers of Scotland for 2015, 12 months to December

Nicola Noble, mortgage director at Bank of Scotland, said: “Living on the coast offers many attractions, including a typically high quality of life and attractive surroundings. As a result, property in seaside towns is often very popular with homebuyers. Whilst property in seaside towns can be more expensive than elsewhere, exceptional value for money can still be found for those searching to realise their dream of living near the sea.”

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