 Property prices rose 36% in Coatbridge |
Scotland still has the most affordable homes in the UK but the gap between north and south is at its lowest for eight years, according to a report. The Bank of Scotland's quarterly House Price Index suggested that the value of properties in some parts of Scotland had soared by more than a third.
It said Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, was Britain's top property hotspot after prices rose by 36% in a year.
Inverurie in Aberdeenshire and Lochgelly, Fife, also saw sharp rises.
The bank found that average prices in Scotland were more than a third below the UK average - and more than 50% under those in Greater London.
Getting smaller
The average price in Scotland was �106,392, compared with the UK average of �166,074.
However, economists said the differential was getting smaller.
Property prices in some parts of southern England have been gently falling, while some parts of Scotland have seen prices surge.
East Lothian and North Lanarkshire were the council areas which saw the fastest increases, rising by 20% and 18% respectively.
The bank's economists found that the annual rate of house price inflation had slowed significantly in all parts of Scotland in the past 12 months.
Average annual growth was less than 10% for the first time since 1999.
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