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Llyods TSB Scotland today announced that Scottish house prices have risen again.

The House Price Monitor in Scotland  stated that figures for the last quarter to the end of April went up by 2.3%, giving an average house price of £163,639.

Scottish house prices have risen by 11.6% in a year.

Aberdeen showed an annual increase of 19% while the north excluding Aberdeen showed an increase of 26%.

Professor Donald MacRae, chief economist at Lloyds TSB Scotland, said: “Following last quarter’s pause for breath after seven years of house price increases, the average Scottish house price is again on the rise.

“However, the rate of increase has slowed substantially to a much more sustainable rate.”

Annual increase North - 26% Aberdeen - 19% Dundee - 18% Central/Fife/Perth/Tayside - 13% Edinburgh - 12% South west - 8% Glasgow - 4% South east - 3%

Dundee was the only area to report a reduction in house prices this quarter of 5.2%, but the bank said an annual rise of 18% demonstrated the “underlying strength” of the market.

The central, Fife, Perth and Tayside areas showed an annual rise of 13%, while Edinburgh house prices rose by 12%.

In Glasgow, the south west and south east annual rises were lower than the rest of the country  ranging from 1.4% to 9.4%.

The Scottish housing monitor painted a much brighter picture than elsewhere in the UK. with prices not falling but the rate of rise slowing.

The Edinburgh & Lothians Property Group (ELPG,) which brings together conveyancing solicitors, welcomed the figures.

Steve Spence, senior partner at ELPG member-firm Neilsons, said Scotland has a  property market of its own which is largely immune from the peaks and troughs that affect English homeowners in the south.

“While the market may take a breather when other factors come into play, we in Scotland are much better placed to emerge unscathed and even see prices continue to grow,” he said.