Christine Campbell, Your Move managing director in Scotland, comments: “The calm annual house price change of 1.2% recorded in June 2015 belies tumultuous currents of activity beneath the surface. The Scottish housing market has been buffeted around by the changing tide of taxation, but is now back in smoother waters. Average property prices surged 2.6% in June, lifting them safely to £169,227 – level with last December – after bobbing around on many ebbs and flows over the last few months.

“The biggest monthly rises were recorded by the two most expensive local authorities across Scotland – with properties in East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire experiencing (annual) price jumps of 26% and 21% respectively in June.

“Overall, Scotland saw 9,265 home sales during the month – the most activity since July 2014. During the second quarter of 2015, flats have seen the most significant year-on-year increase in sales, climbing 7%. This stems from the stamina of the first-time buyer market, as this property type tends to be the most affordable for those getting their first footing on the property ladder. This is especially the case in the cities, and Glasgow and Edinburgh accounted for 45% of all Scottish flat sales during Q2 2015.”