The number of second and empty homes is on the rise

Figures obtained by South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame show such properties have gone up from 91,251 in 1996 to 101,445 last year.

She is particularly concerned by rises of 15% in the Scottish Borders and about 36% in Dumfries and Galloway.

There have also been sharp increases in areas like South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.

Ms Grahame said the trend was worrying and likely to make things difficult for first time buyers.

RISES ABOVE 25% IN VACANT PROPERTIES AND SECOND HOMES 104% South Lanarkshire 77% East Renfrewshire 72% West Dunbartonshire 58% Renfrewshire 51% Inverclyde 49% North Ayrshire 49% South Ayrshire 39% East Ayrshire 36% North Lanarkshire 36% Dumfries and Galloway 33% Argyll and Bute 33% Fife 30% Clackmannanshire

"These year-on-year rises will lead to growing pressures on the local housing market and obviously that will make it harder for many people to get on the housing ladder," she said.

She said there were a number of options to try to reverse the trend.

These included the possibility of taxing the owners of vacant homes.

"That may help encourage owners of such empty properties to sell it or rent them out," she said.

"Across the south of Scotland there has been a steady increase in the number of these properties.

"Clearly more focus is required on ensuring there is an adequate number of properties available for local people who are committed to living and working in the Borders."

The figures include unoccupied homes exempt from council tax and houses subject to a second home or long-term empty property discount.

Delays in council tax information being updated and the levels of self-catering accommodation in an area can account for some fluctuations in the statistics.