The bank said a cooling down period is now anticipated

The cost of a home north of the border jumped 22.4% over the past year, compared with a UK figure of 11.1%.

The Bank of Scotland figures showed Galashiels in the Borders and Johnstone in Renfrewshire recorded the sharpest rises at 30%.

Of the four main cities, Aberdeen saw the strongest growth, with prices up 24% to an average of �175,523.

Prices in Scotland rose by 7.5% in the first three months of this year alone, the biggest increase in the UK, the bank said.

Prices have risen more than earnings in Scotland in recent years, so a natural cooling is anticipated Tim Crawford Bank of Scotland economist

The average cost of a house is now �138,655 which is still considerably less than the UK average of �192,314.

Edinburgh remained the most expensive place to buy a house, with prices up 11% over the year to an average of �205,189.

Dundee saw a 16% increase to �138,688, with Glasgow up 11% to �155,123.

At council level, East Ayrshire saw the highest house price rises over the year, up 26% to �132,924.

'Householder finances'

The Bank of Scotland said recent interest rate rises would slow down house price growth this year.

"These rises will put a squeeze on householders' finances, along with higher council tax bills, causing house price inflation to ease," said group economist Tim Crawford.

"Prices have risen more than earnings in Scotland in recent years, so a natural cooling is anticipated.

"We are forecasting that house prices will have risen by a more sustainable 7% over the course of 2007."

The bank's study also found that for the first time there were now no towns in the UK where the average price was below �100,000.

Lochgelly, Clydebank and Greenock broke through that barrier over the last year.