Linlithgow named as second most pricey location for property

The ancient West Lothian town was second only to the Capital when it came to house prices per square metre, which have risen 20 per cent in Scotland in the past five years. Linlithgow lies 19 miles from Edinburgh, which remains the country’s most expensive town at £2669 per square metre, with the commuter town hot on its heels with prices at £2076 per square metre. Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire came in just below at £2,039 per square metre. Properties in west and central Scotland have seen the highest increases since 2013. Prices in Larkhall and Lanark had the largest rise, increasing 33 per cent to an average of £1163 and £1184 respectively, closely followed by Dalkeith, Bathgate and Hamilton, all at 32 per cent. Grangemouth in the central belt is the least expensive town in Scotland, with an average price of £1016 per square metre, followed by Bellshill in North Lanarkshire at £1030 per square metre and Greenock in Inverclyde at £1090 per square metre. Those three locations are among the ten least expensive towns per square metre in Great Britain. Graham Blair, Bank of Scotland mortgages director, said: “Of the top ten most expensive towns in Scotland per square metre, six are in Edinburgh and the Lothians, with the remaining four in Aberdeenshire, while eight of the ten towns with the lowest prices per square metre are in either central or western Scotland.” Linlithgow is an increasingly popular location for families with its “excellent school system”, according to Conservative councillor Tom Kerr, who has lived in the town all his life. He said the location was attractive to commuters to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. Labour councillor for Linlithgow Tom Conn told the Evening News: “Linlithgow is not only a historic town with the backdrop of a royal palace, The Peel and the Loch, but there is so much to do with over 160 active groups and organisations, a variety of national and independent retailers, and an excellent variety of local pubs and cafes with alfresco eating areas where you can relax. “There’s the popular Beecraigs Country Park on the town’s doorstep. To cap it off a short train journey will get you to Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow.” Owner of Cafebar 1807 on the High Street, David Stein, said: “Running and owning a business in Linlithgow is a pleasure. The town is historic, quaint, full of character and there is a proper high street full of independent shops. “Since opening our business we have been welcomed and certainly feel part of the community. “Families enjoy the loch and the palace, there are dog-friendly cafes and great walks along the canal. Mix in the annual events like the Marches, music event Party at the Palace, the Classic Car Day, folk festivals and the festive markets – what’s not to like? The town is part of a business improvement district so everyone is pulling in the same direction.”