House prices soar in three coastal towns

HOUSE prices have more than doubled in three seaside towns on the north-east coast since 2004, according to new research.

Macduff and Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire recorded the biggest rises, with the average house prices increasing in both by 123 per cent.

The next largest rise was in Cove Bay, Aberdeen, which saw property prices increase by 105 per cent over the same period.

According to the Bank of Scotland data, the average price in Macduff last year was £130,025 – up from £58,204 in 2004.

Homes in Fraserburgh now sell for £119,425 on average – an increase from £53,641 – while Cove Bay has the higher average price at £169,248 compared to £82,416 seven years ago.

The survey also revealed seven of the ten most expensive seaside towns are on the east coast.

North Berwick in East Lothian is the most expensive coastal town in Scotland, with an average house price of £309,676.

On the other hand, six of the ten least expensive seaside towns are in western Scotland. They include Greenock (£85,212), Girvan (£85,961), Irvine (£89,727) and Ardrossan (£91,052). However, the least expensive seaside town in Scotland is Buckhaven, Fife, on the east coast with an average house price of £68,350.