Last year a total of around £80 million was paid for Scottish rural estates, significantly more than in 2010 where the total price paid was around £64 million. Of the 20 estates that sold, one was bought for almost £20 million, one for just under £10 million, and the other 18 sold for £5 million or less.

Even in these more restrained times, there is no lack of cash buyers. Money spinning out of locations such as London, the USA, Hong Kong and Singapore continues to chase the privacy and seclusion which Scotland can offer. The market is not characterised by the time pressures of residential purchases and the life long ambition of owning land means demand is expected to persist, no matter what the health of the wider economy. A lack of supply is expected to continue to drive strong prices, especially for Highland acres, with the favourable exchange rate continuing to fuel interest from abroad. There was a marked increase in the number of foreigners viewing Scottish estates last year, and this may well translate to purchases this year.

Taken from
Spotlight: Scotland's Prime Residential Property Market, March 2012