The total value of the residential sales market in Scotland from 2007-08 to 2016-17 was just over £143.4 billion, according to a new report published today by Registers of Scotland (RoS).

The fifth annual publication of RoS’ 10-year property market report details the trends in the land and property market over the last ten years, from the pre-financial crisis period in 2007-08, through the subsequent economic downturn, to the latest trends in sales volumes and prices up to 2016-17.

RoS business development and information director Kenny Crawford said: “The Scottish property market is a significant component of the Scottish economy. In 2016-17, the total value of residential sales alone was £16.7 billion, an increase of 1.0 per cent when compared with 2015-16.

“We’ve also seen an increase in average house prices over the decade, up 7.7 per cent when comparing 2016-17 with 2007-08. Overall, house prices remained relatively stable across each year of the decade, with the exception of a more pronounced year on year increase between 2013-14 and 2014-15.

“While the 100,291 residential sales in 2016-17 remains down on the 149,145 sales recorded in the pre-financial crisis period in 2007-08, volumes in 2016-17 were the highest since 2007-08 and have been increasing year on year from the 10-year low of 70,510 in 2011-12.”

RoS’ property price statistics are compiled using data collected as part of the land registration process. This data is comprehensive, covering transactions across the whole of Scotland for all types of property sales, in residential and non-residential markets, and with actual sale prices, not just valuations. The statistics in the 10-year property market report cover values, volumes and prices in the different sectors, broken down by local authority area. For the housing market, the report provides an overview of trends in cash and mortgage-financed sales volumes, the market within Scotland’s seven cities, sales of properties within new-build developments and trends by house type.

Further key findings revealed in the report over the last 10 years include:
• new-build property sales accounting for 12 per cent of the all-Scotland sales in 2016-17, with a total of 12,014 sales
• a 36.2 per cent decrease in the number of residential properties sold for over a million pounds when comparing 2007-08 with 2016-17, although this should be seen in the context of a drop of 32.8 per cent in total sales volumes between these years
• a drop of 30.3 per cent in the number of sales being registered with a mortgage when comparing 2007-08 with 2016-17
• the proportion of residential sales being registered with a mortgage falling from 84.5% in 2007-08 to 69.0 per cent in 2016-17
• a market value of £4.1 billion for non-residential sales (includes commercial, land, agriculture and forestry sales) in 2016-17
• a 5.3 percent increase in the volume of commercial leases, from 905 in 2015-16 to 953 in 2016-17
The 10-year property market report is free to download from the property statistics section of our website.

The ScotRail Alliance and British Transport Police (BTP) are issuing travel advice to all customers ahead of Scotland’s football World Cup qualifier against England on Saturday 10 June.

Extra carriages will be added to services between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High, as well as on key services between Glasgow, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, East Kilbride, Alloa and Stirling. However, services are still expected to be very busy.

BTP will have extra officers on duty as thousands of fans throughout England and Scotland descent on Hampden Park for this significant match. They’ll be on hand to reassure the travelling public, but also to deter, disrupt and detect criminality.

Queuing systems will be in place at key locations across the network, and fans are advised to leave plenty of extra time for their journey – as they may not be able to board their first train of choice. Customers are reminded that, in addition to the main route through Falkirk High, there are also trains from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts and Bathgate.

Scotland fans will be directed to Mount Florida station before and after the game, while England supporters must use to King’s Park. Additional carriages and services will be running between Glasgow Central and Hampden before and after the game.

To avoid disappointment, fans are being urged to plan their journeys in advance. In particular, they are asked not leave it until the last minute to head to the ground, and to be aware that there are only limited long-distance services after full-time. Where possible, customers travelling to further away destinations should head to either Glasgow Central or Queen Street as soon as they can after the final whistle.

Officers from BTP will be working closely with ScotRail Alliance and other train operators in the build-up this mighty match. This is a cross-border operation and officers have been meticulously planning for many months alongside Police Scotland and train operators. Extra officers will be patrolling train key stations and will be joining fans on board trains before and after the match.

Alcohol bans will be in place on many routes, and customers are reminded that the consumption or open carrying of alcohol is not permitted on any ScotRail service before 10am or after 9pm. Officers will be patrolling the network before and after the game, to reassure the travelling public and to deter anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Jacqueline Taggart, the ScotRail Alliance’s customer experience director, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming fans from both sides of the border onboard our trains this weekend.

“We want everyone to have great time at the match, but more importantly, to stay safe. With this in mind, police and extra staff will be on hand to assist at key locations across our network. Please help them to help you by following their instructions.

“We’ll be doing all we can to get fans to and from the match. You can play your part by planning your journey now – remember not to leave it to the last train of the night to get home, as all trains are going to be very busy. To help reduce your need to queue, please buy your tickets through to Mount Florida or King’s Park in advance – not on the day.”

Chief Superintendent John McBride, leading the operation for British Transport Police, said: “This is a mighty event for both teams and we’re looking forward to welcoming spectators as they arrive in Glasgow. Our policing operation will stretch the breadth of the nation and will involve a large number of officers.

“We want spectators to have a fun and enjoyable journey towards this match and will be on hand if they need assistance. Likewise, we will also be taking a zero-tolerance approach towards any individuals or groups who exhibit anti-social or criminal behaviour. There is no place for hooligan or intimidating behaviour and we will be taking firm action against those who are out to cause trouble.

“I would like to remind passengers travelling longer distances, that there will be few trains departing after the final whistle. Therefore, I would urge them to plan ahead and make sure they have booked accommodation or alternative travel options.

“Passengers are of course the eyes and ears of the rail network and I would ask them to remain vigilant on their journey and report suspicious behaviour to us.”

Anyone who wants to report crime or antisocial behaviour on the railway should do so by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 – in an emergency always call 999.

Commercial property specialist Colliers International has prepared and lodged a Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) application for an unusual and ambitious project: the first new prison in the Highlands of Scotland for more than a century.

The new HMP Highland will replace the 112-year-old HMP Inverness Prison, located in the city centre, with a new 21st century fit-for-purpose prison development.

Working on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service, Colliers International’s planning team lodged the PPP for the new prison facility on land to the south of Inverness Retail and Business Park. As the development proposal represents a technical departure from the Development Plan, Colliers’ work has involved significant pre-application discussions with The Highland Council in addition to the statutory pre-application public consultation.

Meabhann Crowe, Senior Planner at Colliers International, said: “Identifying a suitable site for a new prison facility is a rare task. Finding a suitable location was not as straightforward as with many other buildings. However, the Highlands, Islands and Moray areas need a modern, fit-for-purpose prison facility and we have found an excellent location for the impressive designs, which the Scottish Prison Service has commissioned.

“The new HMP Highland is proposed on a site which we believe to be wholly suitable to this development. It benefits from good accessibility and existing landscaping on the site will assist in creating a setting for the building. The response to the public consultation we carried out was overwhelmingly positive with a complete 100% of respondents in support of the Prison Service’s aim to create a modern, fit for purpose facility.”

Colliers International worked alongside the Scottish Prison Service and a specialist consulting team, including BakerHicks, ITP Energised, Fairhurst Engineers, TGP Landscape Architects, AOC Archaeology and ERM Consulting in bringing the planning application together.

As part of the process, Colliers International’s planning team coordinated pre-application discussions with The Highland Council, statutory pre-application public consultation on 30th March and submission of the overall planning application to The Highland Council on the 25th May 2017. The consultancy team involvement will continue as the application navigates its way through the application process.

Meabhann added: “The consultancy team has worked hard to ensure the proposal is the right development in the right place, and incorporates an exciting design philosophy.”

HMP Highland will serve Highlands, Islands and Moray areas. SPS’ estates strategy involves the commitment to replace historic accommodation with modern facilities which contribute to a Safer Stronger Scotland.

The application is expected to be determined later this year.

Glasgow and Edinburgh become UK pioneers for new G.fast technology

Thousands of people in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow can now get some of the fastest broadband speeds in the country as Openreach has begun switching on the pilot areas for its new ultrafast broadband network.

Around 16,900 households and businesses in parts of Sighthill, Gorgie, Corstorphine, Murrayfield, Fountainbridge, Craiglockhart, the Meadows and Morningside in Edinburgh and parts of Linn and Rutherglen in Glasgow are set to benefit from the new ultrafast service, known as G.fast, which provides download speeds of up to 330Mbps – more than 10 times the UK average.

The faster speeds that ultrafast broadband brings means a two hour HD film can be downloaded in just 90 seconds, a 45 minute HD TV show in just 16 seconds and a nine hour audio book in just three seconds.

People living in the pilot areas who want to try the new service should contact their internet service provider to see if they’re offering a service, and to find out more about availability and pricing.

Andrew Hepburn, Openreach fibre programme director for Scotland, said: “A huge amount of effort and substantial investment has already taken place in the development of this exciting new technology. So I’m delighted to announce that we can now start connecting the first people in Scotland to this new technology.

“These pilot schemes are hugely important to us and to the local households and businesses, which will be able to benefit from G.fast. Whether you are somebody aiming to work more efficiently or grow your business, or a household going online for shopping, entertainment or studies, fast access to the internet has never been more important. We know the technology works and can be a major benefit for customers, but these pilots will now help us test and improve all the factors involved in rolling out G.fast on a national scale.”

Kim Mears, Openreach managing director for infrastructure delivery, added: “The UK is ahead of its major European neighbours when it comes to superfast broadband but technology never stands still – that’s why we’re building on our existing fibre network and leading the way in deploying ultrafast speeds.

“We need to stay ahead in order to meet the evolving needs of our customers. G.fast will allow us to do that by building on the investment we have made in fibre to date. It will transform the UK broadband landscape from superfast to ultrafast, and it will reach the largest number of people in the quickest possible time.”

Engineers have spent recent months upgrading the network in several parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow to prepare for the arrival of the G.fast broadband pilot scheme.

The cities were announced as pilot locations for G.fast in October 2016, as part of Openreach’s ambition to make ultrafast broadband available to 12 million UK homes by the end of 2020.

G.fast technology changes the way today’s broadband is transmitted, delivering ultrafast speeds that have previously required fibre to be run all the way to the premises (FTTP). This is significant as G.fast will enable Openreach, the local network business which is part of BT Group, to make ultrafast fibre available to a much larger number of homes and businesses and more quickly than if it had focused on FTTP alone.

It builds on the success of the rollout of superfast broadband, which has already reached more than 442,000 homes and businesses in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Overall, more than nine out of ten premises across the UK can access superfast speeds today with around another 17,000 homes and businesses being enabled each week.

Following the early trials of G.fast in Cambridgeshire, Gosforth and South Wales, the 17 pilot areas have extended that reach even further – already reaching more than 100,000 homes across the UK.

People wanting to take advantage of the new ultrafast technology can find out more about which providers offer this service by visiting www.openreach.co.uk/buyultrafast

Scotland rugby legends Andy Irvine, Chris Paterson and Tony Stanger swapped the oval ball for golf at Blairgowrie.

They were supporting the annual Bill McLaren Foundation “Voice of Golf” event backed by Edinburgh business Carbon Financial Partners.

It was the latest Foundation event to attract support from Carbon.
Carbon managing director Gordon Wilson said: “As a Foundation business partner we were delighted to welcome some household names from the Scottish rugby scene to take part in another very successful golf day at Blairgowrie.
The Rosemount course was in fabulous condition and everyone enjoyed their day.”

Foundation chief executive and former Scotland player Alan Lawson said: “Our association with Carbon Financial Partners goes back many years and we are extremely grateful to Gordon Wilson and his team for their continuing sponsorship and support of our Golf Day at Blairgowrie Golf Club, to our annual dinner in Edinburgh and other events that we organise.

“Our relationship with a prominent business is so important to us as a small charity.”

The Foundation was established seven years ago in memory of renowned “Voice of Rugby” Bill McLaren.

The charity’s aim is to develop and promote rugby union and its values, to encourage and provide sporting opportunities for youngsters and to create a home for the Bill McLaren Archive.

Pictured: Four ball, from left: Scotland legend Chris Paterson, Frank Rooney, Carbon director Mark Christie and Miriam Rooney

A croft in Shetland has become the 4,000th to be registered by Registers of Scotland (RoS). It joins the online Crofting Register, which went live on 30 November 2012 as a result of the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

The registration comes as RoS staff are gearing up to attend a series of agricultural shows in order to encourage and support the voluntary registration of crofts in Scotland.

The 4000th croft is C4089, Beala (Apportionment) in Shetland. It joins the 200th common grazing, a shared area of community land in Assynt, also registered this week.

Introduced in 2012, the Crofting Register is the first official register to give crofters legal certainty over their crofts.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing said:
“Crofting is an integral part of Scottish rural life that makes a significant contribution to our economy, environment and culture. I am therefore delighted to hear that the 4,000th croft has now been registered on the Crofting Register – an achievement that has taken just four years.I look forward to hearing about many more additions to the register in due course as we continue to support our crofters and crofting.”

Sheenagh Adams, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland said:
“Crofting is a key part of Scotland’s rural economy, and is a vital part of our culture and heritage. The Crofting Register helps to safeguard that and with around 18,000 crofts in Scotland, reaching the 4,000th registration in such just four years is an achievement we are proud of. It is particularly pleasing to see communities continue to work together to facilitate the registration of their land.”

Bill Barron, Crofting Commission Chief Executive, said:
“To have reached 4,000 registered crofts means that overall 20% of all crofts are now registered with Registers of Scotland. To achieve this in just over five years, since the Crofting Registers inception, is a notable achievement. It’s interesting that the 2000th and the 4000th croft to be registered were both in Shetland. Progress with registrations is important as it provides crofters and other interested parties with certainty as to the extent and interests in croft land.

We will continue to work closely with RoS, crofters and grazings committees to ensure the registration process is as smooth as possible.”

• The Barclays UK Property Predictor reveals Glasgow’s suburbs set to increase by almost a quarter, followed by City of Edinburgh and Stirling
• Property prices across Scotland will rise by almost 6% in the next five years, bringing the average property value to almost £180,000

Glasgow’s suburbs are predicted to see the largest increase in average house prices in Scotland by 2021 according to new research released today (24 May 2017), the Barclays UK Property Predictor.

Affluent areas in Glasgow’s outskirts, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire, are set to rise by almost a quarter (23.8% / 22.5% respectively) over the next five years. Hot on its heels is City of Edinburgh (20.2%) and Scotland’s central belt hotspot, Stirling (19.1%).

Over the next five years, high employment rates, growth in private housing market levels and an increase in rates of average earnings will contribute to rising property prices across Scotland. The country is expected to see an overall average increase of almost 6% across the next five years, making it the fifth highest performing region across the UK, behind London (11.88%), East of England (9.38%) the South East (8.74%) and the Midlands (6.28%).

The Barclays UK Property Predictor provides a three-to-five year forecast of investment hotspots on the residential property market, revealing the areas across the UK where house prices and rental incomes are expected to rise. The research uses factors including rental trends, employment levels and commuter behaviour as well as current house prices to create an index of property hotspots. The research also surveyed high net worth investors from across the UK, to reveal where and why they plan to purchase property in the future.

According to the research, and despite an uncertain economic and political climate, the UK property market remains buoyant with prices in areas across the UK set to rise by an average of 6.1% by 2021, bringing the average value of a UK property to almost £300,000.

East Renfrewshire
Predicted to see the biggest property price increase in Scotland is Glaswegian suburb East Renfrewshire, the only destination in Scotland to rank within the top 20 areas of highest growth across the UK behind Westminster (31.9%), Cotsworld (31.8%) and Warwick (29.5%).

East Renfrewshire has long been considered an ideal place for aspiring young families to set up home. Up-market retailer, Whole Foods, opened its first Scottish store in Giffnock, while Newton Mearns and Clarkston are typified by excellent schools and high house prices. There is also a high proportion of highly qualified residents in East Renfrewshire, with 53% of the population educated to degree level or higher. These qualifications are linked to higher potential earnings and a related upwards pressure on housing prices.

East Dunbartonshire
Similarly, East Dunbartonshire, situated north of Glasgow, has ranked second in the Scottish regions and is expected to rise by 22.5%. Home to two of Scotland’s most well-heeled suburbs, Milngavie and Bearsden, they have some of the country’s best schools which are regularly ranked in Scotland’s top ten as well as being a sought after location for retirees.

With easy commuting distance from Glasgow, the research suggests that the once desired busy city life has been ditched for a more relaxed suburban lifestyle as parents are keen to escape the hustle and bustle of city centres to set up home in the outskirts.

City of Edinburgh
Home to five of the top ten most visited attractions in Scotland, City of Edinburgh has long been one of the most expensive places to live in Scotland. It is perhaps no surprise that that the city ranks within the Scottish top three, with prices expected to rise by a fifth (20%) by 2021.

The financial and tourism capital is also expected to experience one of the highest levels of short to medium term employment growth in Scotland over the 2017-2021 period (growth of 2.8%), and at the same time, the city is expected to see one of the highest population growth rates over the next five years at 4.5%, which will increase pressure on housing.

Edinburgh is also experiencing the highest rate of business start-ups per capita in Scotland (with nearly 88 businesses set up each year per 10,000 working age population).

Stirling
One of Scotland’s most historic cities, Stirling, is also expected to see prices rise by almost a fifth (19%) across the next five years. Abundant in rich heritage with its own castle and Wallace Monument, the traditional market town in the farmlands has become one of the country’s most desired locations.

Stirling recently secured a City Deal, thought to be worth around £500m, which focuses on the creation of a digital district, city park and regeneration of the harbour and River Forth. The project is predicted to create 3,000 new jobs and increase tourism by 25% to turn the city into a digital technology, food and drink hub.

The economic and employment growth opportunities in Scotland are pushing up house prices in many areas of the country, with Stirling being one of them. East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and Stirling all enjoy populations with high earnings, ranging from 6% to 28% higher than the UK national average.

Scottish property investment
The research from Barclays also reveals that investors in Scotland own three properties on average, bringing the average total value of a property portfolio in Scotland to £818,093. Across all UK respondents, one in 10 (11%) own property/properties in Scotland and over a third (39%) are being used for rental income. Over a third (36%) of investors in Scotland are planning to buy new property/ properties in the next three to five years.

Calum Brewster, Managing Director, Barclays, Wealth & Investments, North Region, Barclays, said:
“It’s encouraging to see that property is still viewed as an important part of the investment portfolio in Scotland with high net worth investors typically owning three properties and over a quarter planning to buy property because they believe that it offers long-term investment security.

“There is also increasing confidence among property investors in Scotland, as many are taking a long-term view when it comes to putting money into property. It’s also interesting to see from our research how investment prospects are emerging outside of the established property heartland of London and the South of England into Scotland, with economic growth and employment opportunity fuelling growth in hotspots across the UK.

“We are here to support our clients at various stages of their investment journey and we can help by offering a range of innovative and personalised mortgage solutions to meet their individual needs, whether they are a seasoned investor or a millennial looking to increase their income.”

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, has become a Cycle Friendly Campus, gaining the Cycle Friendly Award, with distinction, from Cycling Scotland.

Staff and students at QMU are celebrating receiving the top Cycle Friendly Campus Award, with distinction from Cycling Scotland in recognition of their commitment to getting more staff and students cycling.

The award, which is delivered with funding from Transport Scotland, recognises the efforts of Scotland’s colleges and universities that promote cycling as an accessible and convenient travel choice, was presented to Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer at QMU, by Cycling Scotland’s Paul Wright, in recognition of the outstanding level of commitment the University has shown to encourage cycling to, from and around it’s Musselburgh campus.

The University implemented a range of measures including reinvesting income from campus parking charges to support active travel. Other measures include secure cycle parking, cycle maintenance areas, changing facilities, term-time bike hire, cycle training and led cycle rides. The current rate of cycling is 8%.

Commenting on the Cycle Friendly Campus Award for QMU, Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer, said: “We’re really proud to have been recognised for this award, with distinction, by Cycling Scotland for our ongoing commitment to encouraging more and more staff and students to cycle to, from and around the QMU campus.

“We’ve made great progress continuing to expand the bike hire scheme at QMU over the past year and engaging with the cycling community through regular campus events, as well as via our dedicated Cycle Connections social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. Our long-standing cycling community at QMU have also made a big contribution to helping us recruit new members and creating a self-sufficient cycling community on campus.

“Located on the National Cycle Route, travelling by bike is an easy way to travel to QMU, whilst keeping fit at the same time. The University regularly arranges ‘Dr Bike’ mobile mechanic sessions to service bikes cycled in on the day, including minor on the spot repairs minor and a bike MOT, which are proving very popular amongst students and staff.”

The Cycle Friendly Campus Award is run by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland and recognises exemplar projects from Scotland’s college and university campuses where cycling is a real and accessible part of campus life. Campuses can register to become a Cycle Friendly Campus online at www.cycling.scot

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has produced a series of short films showcasing the impact its portfolio of computing qualifications and awards is having on digital skills development in Scotland.

Produced to mark National Digital Learning Week, one of the films has been produced in partnership with CodeClan, Scotland’s first digital skills academy.

With training centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow offering students the opportunity to fast track their way into a career in technology, CodeClan worked with SQA to develop the Professional Development Award in Software Development.

Currently the only training provider in the UK offering the qualification, CodeClan delivers the 16-week course to students keen to make a head-start in a new career, equipping them with the skills needed to join the continually expanding digital sector.

Sara Dodd, Head of Curriculum and Accreditation at CodeClan, said: “Creating the Professional Development Award was really a collaborative effort, utilising our knowledge of the industry, and SQA’s specialist knowledge of assessment. It’s a testament to the quality of the course, that 84% of CodeClan graduates are hired once they complete their PDA. The course also helps to confirm Edinburgh’s growing reputation as a hub for digital innovation.”

Alastair MacGregor, Head of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths at SQA, said: “Our CodeClan case study is an excellent example of how SQA’s digital skills qualifications are being developed, and delivered in exciting and innovative ways. By working together with the organisations delivering our courses, we are able to input valuable insights into the requirements of the qualifications, creating realistic and achievable pathways into the digital sector, and we are able to help give learners the skills they need to forge successful careers in this growing industry.”

CodeClan student Adam Leel, is currently working towards the PDA. Adam said: “I can see that the skills I’ve learned as part of the PDA course are really relevant. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with and talk to employers, so I could see that what we were learning was important to them and relevant to the workplace.”

PDA graduate Simon Douglas added: “The skills the PDA has helped me develop are really translating well in my new job. There’s a lot of emphasis on planning and testing as part of the course, and this is a key part of any software development role, and the PDA really enforces those good practices.”

The full SQA Digital Skills playlist, which alongside the case study from CodeClan, features testimonies from Dundee and Angus College, and Kyle Academy in Ayrshire, is on SQA’s YouTube channel.

For more information on SQA’s portfolio of digital skills, and computing qualifications, visit www.sqa.org.uk/computing.

National Digital Learning Week runs from Monday 15 to Friday 19 May.

Cycling Scotland are welcoming applications to their Cycle Friendly Employer Development Fund 2017/18.

The fund is aimed at encouraging and supporting organisations and workplaces across Scotland to take a leading role in increasing the number of journeys by bike.

Employers can apply for up to £20,000 for capital projects which are focused on improving cycling facilities and physical infrastructure – such as cycle parking, signage, changing facilities. Match funding not a strict condition.

The fund is open to businesses and organisations who are working towards or are seeking to maintain the Cycle Friendly Employer Award. You can register for the award here and your local service centre will be in touch to arrange an assessment.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday the 30th of June 2017.
Download: Guidance Notes, Funding Process, Application Form and Terms and Conditions.

If you have any questions please email Cycling Scotland Development Officer, Caroline Hammond on carolinehammond@cycling.scot or call 0141 229 5470