Glasgow Solicitors Blog from The GLP

Falkirk experienced the biggest rise in house prices in Scotland – and the second biggest gain across the UK – in 2011, according to new research by Bank of Scotland. Based on Bank of Scotland's own house price data, the average selling price in Falkirk was 12% higher than in the previous year, increasing from £113,422 in 2010 to £126,548 in 2011.

Falkirk is within easy commuting distance of major commercial centres, lying almost equidistant between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The town also has relatively low average property prices, making it more affordable than many other areas close to Scotland's two largest cities.

Scotland recorded a very mixed performance in 2011 with two towns in the UK top ten – Falkirk (12%) and Inverness (9%) – and two in the bottom ten – Dunfermline (-15%) and Ayr (-13%).

Perth (6%) and Edinburgh (4%) also feature in the 20 towns in the UK with the biggest price rises in 2011. Dunfermline, along with Kettering in Northamptonshire, experienced the largest fall in average selling prices in the UK in 2011, both recording declines of 15%.

The average Scottish house price is £140,005, down 3% on 2010 (£144,280). The average house price for the UK is down 4%, now at £172,400 in 2011 compared to £179,356 in 2010.