'Steady growth' for Scots house prices

EDINBURGH property consultancy CKD Galbraith today predicted house prices across Scotland will continue to enjoy steady growth over the coming year, despite signs of a slowdown in the south of England.

The UK’s largest mortgage lender, Halifax, recently said property values rose just 1.1 per cent in March, down from February’s rise of 1.8 per cent.

Rival Nationwide said prices rose 1.9 per cent, although its figures indicated the underlying trend was for a "gentle moderation" in price growth.

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James Galbraith, chairman of newly-created CKD Galbraith, said: "There is no sign of the Scottish market cooling - if anything, property prices in Scotland look set to continue to rise over the next 12 months, with additional demand from English buyers and those further afield helping to sustain the market."

CKD Galbraith was formed through the merger of two of Scotland’s leading upmarket property firms - CKD Finlayson Hughes and Cluttons (Scotland) - which concentrate on buy-to-let property, rural retreats and commercial property investments.

Tim Kirkwood, the managing partner of CKD Finlayson Hughes, has assumed the role of chief executive of the new firm.

The company has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Inverness, Ayr, Aberfeldy and Cupar, and Mr Galbraith said the broad spread gave the firm "in-depth knowledge of the local markets in each area".

He added: "We can therefore predict trends more accurately, based on comprehensive information."

CKD Galbraith has been set up as a limited liability partnership, with 11 principal members supported by 80 additional staff. It manages more than two million acres of agricultural, forestry and sporting property together with substantial commercial, residential and retail investments.