Scotland first-time buyer house prices rise 2.1% to £160,341 in July

The average price paid by first-time buyers in Scotland rose to £160,341 in July 2026, up 2.1% on a year earlier and 0.8% on the month, according to the UK House Price Index for Scotland published on 16 September 2026.

Across all buyers, the provisional average house price in Scotland was £196,349 — up 2.3% year-on-year and 1.2% month-on-month on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. That annual rate was higher than the revised 1.6% figure for the year to June 2026, and ahead of UK-wide annual house-price inflation of 1.4% (UK average £273,000).

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Scotland’s overall average price was unchanged between June and July 2026. Former owner-occupiers paid an average of £246,829 in July (up 2.7% year-on-year). Mortgage-funded purchases averaged £204,136 and cash purchases £181,468.

By property type, semi-detached homes saw the strongest annual rise among the main categories (+4.0% to £225,166). Flats and maisonettes rose only 0.5% to £136,950. Detached homes averaged £362,765 (+2.7%) and terraced homes £182,762 (+3.8%).

Twenty-five of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas recorded annual price increases. South Ayrshire posted the largest rise among areas with reliable volumes (+8.5% to £171,905). The City of Aberdeen recorded the steepest fall (−8.7% to £130,689). East Renfrewshire remained the most expensive council area on average (£305,723); Inverclyde the least expensive (£115,401).

Sales volumes for May 2026 (the latest month reported for transactions) were estimated at 8,469 in Scotland — down 4.2% on the first published May 2025 estimate. HM Land Registry and Registers of Scotland note that recent months’ volume figures will rise as later registrations are incorporated, and that provisional price estimates can be revised.

The publishers also flag a calculation error affecting first-time buyer and former owner-occupier price breakdowns before January 2026, so comparisons that straddle that date should be treated with caution. As with other monthly housing indicators, one month’s figures should not be over-weighted.

The next UK HPI Scotland release (August 2026 data) is due at 09:30 on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

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Scotland first-time buyer house prices rise 2.1% to £160,341 in July

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