Now in it’s third year P.A.L.S! Summer scheme has helped support over 100 young people make the transition from primary to secondary school
A collaboration between three youth arts organisations based at the Drill Hall
P.A.L.S! returns to the Out of the Blue Drill Hall from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July
Monday 24th to Friday 28th July sees the third P.A.L.S (Play and Learn Stuff!) Summer Scheme return to the Out of the Blue Drill Hall!
Started initially as a response to the pandemic, the scheme was designed to help young people get back outdoors, off their screens and enjoying new experiences within a safe and supportive environment.
Specifically targetting children aged 11 – 13 in the Leith area, the free scheme provides a circuit breaker from technology, a chance to re-engage with others and participate in the arts.
Since its inception, the P.A.L.S Summer Scheme has helped over 100 children learn new skills and gain confidence prior to starting secondary school.
First established in 2021, it’s a collaboration between three youth arts organisations, all based in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith: Out of the Blueprint, Strange Town Youth Theatre and All or Nothing.
As in previous years, the three partner organisations will deliver a free activity based on their specialist art form.
The scheme has evolved since its inception and following feedback from parents and children. After taking part in the scheme many parents recognised increased confidence and resilience in their child in preparation for moving to high school.
Feedback from children (2021 & 2022)
“I learnt how to use the printer. I learnt how to be a better actor. I learnt how to be more creative and not hesitate to try new things! Thank you!” “Was I nervous about coming along? Obviously! The three new things I learnt this week was how to get on a hoop, how to make new friends and how to get up high by spinning in a cocoon!” “The best bit was doing things I haven’t done before”
Feedback from parents (2021 & 2022)
“We were so impressed by the whole experience (name) had. Thank you!” “My husband and I were delighted (name) attended all week because she loved the activities and managed to chat to people she didn’t know. The experience helped increase (her) confidence and independence.” “Please do something similar! It really built her confidence that she tried something new.”
Project Manager, Johnny Gailey, says: “We initially started the scheme as a way to support young folk who had missed out on transition activities that helped them make the step up to big school due to Covid.
“We’re very proud that it’s now part of our annual summer offer of activities for children in the area. Whilst the pandemic is over, this generation continues to feel the long tail of Covid and it’s effects and we believe activities that support the development of their social skills and confidence will stand them in good stead as they progress to high school.”
The P.A.L.S! Summer Scheme takes place at the Drill Hall from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July. Further details can be found on the Out of the Blue website.
An all-night tram service is being lined up for weekends in August to help visitors and local residents to make the most of Edinburgh’s festival season.
Over the summer, the city hosts one of the world’s most popular celebrations of arts and culture, and Edinburgh Trams is gearing up to play its part in helping to keep the city moving as tens of thousands of people flock to Scotland’s capital.
In addition to daytime and evening services, which run from every seven minutes between the airport and Newhaven, trams will continue to serve all stops throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays, so that people get home or back to their accommodation once the entertainment has come to a close.
Following the usual end of services around midnight, trams will then operate from every 20 minutes until 2am, then from every 30 minutes until the normal timetable commences the following day.
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams’ Managing Director, commented: “Alongside the main festival, August also sees the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo and fantastic Fringe performances during what is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the city.
“Following the enormous success of late-night trams in previous festival seasons, we wanted to go the extra mile this year by running a 24-hour service over the weekend, which is a testament to our commitment as Scotland’s number one public transport operator.
“For further convenience, anyone heading for the festivals can avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot in or around the city centre by leaving their cars at Ingliston Park & Ride, which has over 1,000 spaces available and a tram stop.”
The operator’s normal range of tram tickets will be accepted at no extra cost when all-night trams are running and more information on great money-saving ticket deals can be found here.
The route for the UCI Men’s Elite Road Race has been announced. This forms part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the “biggest cycling event ever.”
The race will begin in Edinburgh on Sunday 6 August 2023 at 9.30am. We expect the event to attract many visitors from across the world to follow the race as it makes its way from the capital to Glasgow. The city will be busy and some roads will be closed as the event passes through.
Route
Competitors will start off in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood Park. The race then heads up the Royal Mile and through Edinburgh’s Old Town, passing under Edinburgh Castle.
They will then head down the Mound and towards Stockbridge before moving onto Queensferry. Competitors will then cross the Firth of Forth via the Queensferry Crossing. The race will eventually finish in Glasgow’s George Square, covering a distance of 270km.
Road closures
These roads will be closed from 6:30pm on August 5 to 12 noon on 6 August:
Queens Drive
Horse Wynd
Dukes Walk
These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 1:45pm on 6 August:
Canongate
New Street (between East Market Street and Canongate)
These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 11:15am on 6 August:
High Street (between South Bridge and St Giles Street)
Lawnmarket (between St Giles Street and Bank Street)
These roads will be closed from 11:59pm on August 5 to 12 noon on 6 August:
High Street (between St Mary’s Street and South Bridge)
The following roads will be closed from 8:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:
Abbeyhill (between Canongate and Abbeyhill Crescent)
Calton Road (between Abbeyhill and Abbeyhill Crescent)
The following roads will be closed from 9:00am to 9:45am on 6 August:
George IV Bridge (between Lawnmarket and Victoria Street)
Lawnmarket (between Bank Street and Castlehill)
Bank Street
North Bank Street
The Mound
Hanover Street
Queen Street Gardens East
Heriot Row (between Dundas Street and Howe Street)
Howe Street (between Heriot Row and South-East Circus Place)
South-East Circus Place
Circus Place
North-West Circus Place
These roads will be closed from 9:10am to 9:45am on 6 August:
Kerr Street
Deanhaugh Street
Raeburn Place
Comely Bank Road
Craigleith Road
These roads will be closed from 9:15am to 9:50am on 6 August:
Queensferry Road (between Craigleith Road and Hillhouse Road)
Hillhouse Road
These roads will be closed from 9:20 to 9:55am on 6 August:
Queensferry Road (between Hillhouse Road and Maybury Road)
These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10am on 6 August:
Queensferry Road / A90 South-eastbound (between the dual carriageway section and Whitehouse Road)
These roads will be closed from 9:40am to 10:40am on 6 August:
Queensferry Road / A90 North-westbound (between Maybury Road and the boundary of City of Edinburgh Council’s responsibility).
Vehicle crossing points on closed roads
On 6 August, traffic will be held at the junctions with the race route for up to 10 minutes while the race passes. Once the final support vehicle passes, traffic will be able to flow as normal. The timings may change slightly to fit with the event as it passes through Edinburgh.
St Mary Street – Jeffery Street at Canongate/ High Street 9:25am to 9:35am
North Bridge – South Bridge at High Street 09:25am to 9:35am
Princess Street at The Mound/ Hanover Street 9:25am to 9:35am
Queen Street at Hanover Street/ Queen Street Gardens East 9:25am to 9:35am
East Fettes Avenue – Comley Bank Avenue at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
Orchard Brae – Crewe Road South at Comely Bank Road 9:30am to 9:40am
Telford Road – Strachan Road at A90 Hillhouse Road 9:30am to 9:40am
Quality Street – Craigcrook Road at A90 Queensferry Road 9:30am to 9:40am
National Galleries of Scotland invites audiences to discover a contemporary cultural icon this summer, as it proudly unveils the largest ever exhibition dedicated to the work of Sir Grayson Perry.
Opening this Saturday andtaking over the entire Upper Galleries of the Royal Scottish Academy, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits offers visitors a chance to embark on an exclusive retrospective journey through the celebrated artist’s remarkable 40-year career.
National Galleries of Scotland hosts the one and only opportunity to see this exhibition, granting all who pass through the doors of the Royal Scottish Academy an audience with Perry’s lifetime of creation.
This comprehensive exhibition, which encompasses more than eighty works, some of which displayed for the first time, has been developed in close collaboration with the artist and Victoria Miro gallery. Grayson Perry: Smash Hits has been kindly sponsored by the Jigsaw Foundation and Friends of National Galleries Scotland.
Sir Grayson Perry has gone from taking evening classes in pottery to winning the Turner Prize.
He’s renowned for presenting television programmes on Channel 4, writing acclaimed books and commanding audiences far and wide during his live tours. An artist in every sense of the word, his accessible approach to art and engaging public persona has elevated Perry to the status of household name, and more recently, earned him a knighthood.
Always keen to do the unexpected, pottery was Perry’s chosen method in which to indulge his fascination with sex, punk, and counterculture amongst other things, showcasing his interests in the most unlikely and polite of art forms.
Today, he is one of Britain’s most celebrated artists and cultural figures. Grayson Perry: Smash Hits not only includes his most famous works, but also the first pieces he made as a student in Portsmouth. Works that would ignite a passion and pave the way for an illustrious career to be born. One such treasure on display is Perry’s earliest plate, made during his first week at evening class, Kinky Sex (1983).
Much like Perry, the exhibition doesn’t play by the rules, renouncing traditional chronological displays in favourof presenting his work as a journey; one which will lead audiences through the many themes embedded within his provocative art, including masculinity, sexuality, class, religion, politics and identity.
Expect subversive pots, intricate prints, elaborate sculptures, and huge, captivating tapestries – each imbued with Perry’s sharp wit and social commentary.
Grayson Perry: Smash Hits brings together almost all of the artist’s meticulously detailed prints and imaginary maps along with many of his tapestries, such as the rarely shown Walthamstow Tapestry (2009) which, at a striking 15-metres in length, presents a birth-to-death journey through shopping and brand names.
There’s also an opportunity to encounter the intricate cast-iron ship, Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman (2011) which was the centrepiece of Perry’s 2011 exhibition of the same name at the British Museum. The tomb is a memorial to all the anonymous craftsmen of history.
Two rooms centre on the monumental tapestry series: Vanity of Small Differences (2012), which focus on class and are loosely based on William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress, as well as A House for Essex tapestries(2015), which explore the life of a fictional Essex woman Julie Cope.
While the breadth of the exhibition offers a retrospective take on the artist’s career to date, it also looks to the future. A collection of new works, some completed within the last few months, will be displayed for the first time, including the richly detailed tapestry Sacred Tribal Artefact (2023), and a series of pots and plates, all of which explore themes of national identity.
Perry’s latest pots, such as A Plague of Diaphobia (2022) and Ye Olde English Pot (2023), are presented in the form of medieval beer flagons. Decorated with traditional slipware techniques, they reference subjects ranging from the polarising effect of internet debate to heraldic iconography.
Finally, fans of the recent Channel 4 docuseries Grayson Perry’s Full English will come face to face with notable objects featured on the popular series.
Full English followed Perry as he travelled around the country to try and uncover what Englishness means today, inviting interviewees to select personal items which to them represented English identity.
Piqued by the opportunity to show some of these items, alongside his new works which focus on Englishness in Scotland, Perry has included several objects in the exhibition. From a pub sign to a football flag, and a teacup to a letter from the Queen, they highlight not only the individuality and significance of cultural identity, but how artistic treasure can be found in many forms.
Sir Grayson Perry said: “I feel honoured, excited and also daunted by the thought of seeing the largest ever exhibition of my work this summer in Edinburgh.
“Honoured to be given such an opportunity in such a fine gallery, excited to share my smash hits with the Scottish audience and the festival crowds. Daunted because whenever I walk amongst a substantial show of my art the same thought floods into my head, ‘oh my god the man hours!’
“Just one of the grand rooms like those of the Royal Scottish Academy could easily hold two, three, four years of my studio life such is the density of my works. These objects contain so much for me, my hopes, my ideas, my lusts, my laughter, my pride, my love. What they contain more than anything is my time. Forty smashing years.”
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland,said: “This exhibition, the biggest Grayson Perry show ever held anywhere in the world, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to discover the scope of the artist’s practice.
“It has been forty years since Sir Grayson Perry first started making his pots and plates, and twenty years since he gained international acclaim when he won the Turner Prize; it is the ideal moment to celebrate Perry’s achievements to date.”
Beth Butterwick, CEO of Jigsaw said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring ‘Grayson Perry: Smash Hits’ at the National Galleries of Scotland. It’s an honour to be a part of such an all-encompassing exhibition, showcasing the work of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists: Sir Grayson Perry.
“Along with an unwavering passion for the arts in Britain, and a trailblazing reputation, Jigsaw’s partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland was a natural fit. Dedicated to supporting the arts in many forms, the Jigsaw Foundation is proud to be one of the lead sponsors for the Grayson Perry: Smash Hits exhibition’.
Discover Grayson Perry: Smash Hits at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) from 22 July until 12 November 2023. Pre booking is advised.
New sanctions come into effect for those found selling illicit tobacco products
More than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized under Operation CeCe in its first 2 years, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards have revealed.
This comes as new powers come into force from 20 July, which could see penalties of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products. The sanctions will bolster the government’s efforts to tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.
The new powers will also see Local Authority Trading Standards given the ability to refer cases to HMRC for further investigation. HMRC, where appropriate, will administer the penalties and ensure the appropriate sanction is applied and enforced.
Operation CeCe is a joint HMRC-National Trading Standards operation which has been working to seize illicit tobacco since January 2021.
Nis Bandara, HMRC’s Deputy Director for Excise and Environmental Taxes, said: “Trade in illicit tobacco costs the Exchequer more than £2 billion in lost tax revenue each year. It also damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.
“These sanctions build on HMRC’s enforcement of illicit tobacco controls, will strengthen our response against those involved in street level distribution, and act as a deterrent to anyone thinking that they can make a quick and easy sale and undercut their competition.”
Kate Pike, Lead Officer for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “Trading Standards Officers across the country work with colleagues in Public Health to reduce the harm from smoking and with enforcement partners to disrupt criminality in our communities.
“We welcome this addition to our toolkit of measures to tackle illegal tobacco, ensuring that those who seek to profit from supplying these products face substantial penalties for doing so, and their ability to continue to trade is severely impacted.”
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The illegal tobacco trade harms local communities and affects honest businesses.
“Through Operation CeCe, we have removed 27 million illegal cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco from the supply chain and we welcome these new measures to clamp down further on the illicit tobacco trade.”
HMRC will launch a new illicit tobacco strategy later in the year which will replace ‘From Leaf to Light’, which has been the guiding strategy for tackling the illicit tobacco market since 2015.
More than 50 projects tackling social isolation and loneliness throughout Scotland have received a share of a new fund.
Edinburgh recipients of Social Isolation and Loneliness Funding include Big Hearts Community Trust, Edinburgh Tool Library, Pilmeny Development Project, Pilton Community Health Project and The Living Memory Association.
Activities delivered by the organisations include community choirs, walking football, Men’s Sheds and volunteering opportunities.
Equalities Minister Emma Roddick visited Inverness Foodstuff, one of the successful projects, to see the impact of their work and hear how support through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will benefit the local community.
Ms Roddick said: “Social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, but especially those most affected by the cost of living crisis such as disabled people, younger people, and those who live alone.
“The Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund is providing support to a range of projects across Scotland which deliver vital services in their communities. Inverness Foodstuff is a great example of how this Scottish Government funding will help to bring more people together, creating stronger social connections and improving public health.
“We are determined to tackle the harm caused by this hidden problem and this Fund is just one of the actions we are taking to help tackle social isolation and loneliness through our plan, Recovering our Connections.”
Inverness Foodstuff has been awarded a grant of £72,000 to deliver their lunch club twice a week in the Hilton area of Inverness. The lunch club will benefit an estimated 2,400 homeless and vulnerable people in the area over the duration of the Fund.
Chair of Inverness Foodstuff Stuart Black said: “Inverness Foodstuff has operated from Ness Bank Church since 2015 offering hot food three times a week, utilising surplus food.
“But, it’s more than just a meal. We offer access to clothing, debt relief, IT support, mental health support, housing and homelessness support and access to hairdressing. Inverness Foodstuff also provides 75 volunteering opportunities.
“Over the past year we have served 8,500 meals in our city centre premises, an increase of 58% compared to 2021-22. This reflects the cost of living crisis and the extent of poverty in our city.
“We are delighted to gain Scottish Government funding to expand our service into Hilton, a recognised area of need, in partnership with Highlife Highland.”
New requirements on banks will protect freedom of expression
New rules will give consumers greater confidence to challenge account closures
Changes available because of Brexit and recent government legislation
Banks will be forced to explain and delay any decision to close an account under new rules, protecting freedom of expression.
The Government has stepped in to address fears that banks are terminating accounts because they disagree with someone’s political beliefs.
The changes will increase the notice period to 90 days – giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement bank.
Banks will also be required to spell out why they are terminating a bank account – boosting transparency for customers and aiding their efforts to overturn decisions.
The changes announced today can only be made due to new powers in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, which give Britain control of its financial rulebook following Brexit.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, said:“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it must be respected by all institutions.
“Banks occupy a privileged place in society, and it is right that we fairly balance the rights of banks to act in their commercial interest, with the right for everyone to express themselves freely.
“These changes will boost the rights of customers – providing real transparency, time to appeal and making it a much fairer playing field.”
The proposed changes follow a call for evidence launched in January, following PayPal’s temporary suspension of several accounts last year. It found that changes were needed to ensure the right balance is being struck between protecting customers, and providers’ rights to manage commercial risk.
They require secondary legislation, which will be delivered through the powers granted in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, as part of the Government’s programme in building a Smarter Regulatory Framework for UK financial services.
This runs alongside separate plans to clarify in legislation the requirements for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and a review into whether these are being applied proportionately by financial institutions.
These steps were commissioned by Parliament last month as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; and the FCA will set out how they intend to conduct the review by the end of September.
East Lothian is authority with highest average price
Transaction levels are second lowest of last ten years
Average Scottish house price £224,033, up 1.2% on April, up 1.9% annually
Table 1. Average House Prices in Scotland for the period May 2022 – May 2023
Scott Jack, Regional Development Director at Walker Fraser Steele, comments:“Our data shows that the Scottish housing market has seen another increase in average prices for the second month in succession.
“The average house price has risen in the month by some £2,600, or 1.2%, the largest increase since March 2022. The average house price in Scotland now stands at £224,033, which is £4,125, or 1.9%, higher than twelve months earlier.
“This strength of performance has to be seen in the context of broader market trends. Affordability has become the key issue in mortgage lending and is impacting would-be buyers. Inflation continues to loom over the UK and higher interest rates are an inevitability which makes the resilience of the Scottish market all the more remarkable. The squeeze on borrowers will continue and lenders have already sign-posted a contraction in the supply of mortgage loans over the coming months.
“We can see how affordability is impacting the market in the demand and subsequent price rises attributed to flats. Flats have increased in average price over the month by 3.8%, with semis and terraced properties both seeing a 1.5% increase. They now offer better value to buyers after months of subdued growth.”
Commentary: John Tindale, Acadata Senior Housing Analyst
The May housing market
Scotland’s housing market in May has shown a further increase in average prices, despite the economic headwinds of higher interest rates, increased consumer inflation and diminishing affordability. The average house price has risen in the month by some £2,600, or 1.2%, the largest increase since March 2022. Scotland’s average house price now stands at £224,033, which is £4,125, or 1.9%, higher than twelve months earlier. It also establishes a new record price for Scotland as a whole.
Figure 1. Scotland’s average house price for the period from March 2020 to May 2023
Figure 1 shows the movement in average house prices in Scotland from March 2020 – at the start of the pandemic, when the price was £183,017 – to May 2023. This amounted to an increase of £41,000, or 22.4%, over the period, and compares to an increase of 17.8% in the CPIH Index – so in real terms (after allowing for consumer price inflation) the average house price in Scotland has risen by 4.6%.
Scotland is not alone in seeing prices rise in May – the same pattern was also present in the North East of England, where prices rose by 0.9% in the month. The average house price in the North East is £202,491, which is the lowest of all the nine GOR regions in England and in Wales, with the Welsh average price now standing at £241,994. Scotland’s house price is the second lowest of all countries and regions in Great Britain.
Scotland has not been immune to the high rates of interest and the significant cost of living increases. As is shown on page 7, transaction levels in 2023 have fallen to their second lowest since 2013. The lowest level of the last ten years was observed in 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic.
Unlike April 2023, when the increase in prices was concentrated in the high-value local authority areas in Scotland, the increase in values in May 2023 has been spread more evenly across the country. For example, of the £2,623 increase in the average price in the month at the national level, £1,343 originates from the top 16 local authority areas by value, and £1,280 from the lowest 16 areas by value – hardly a significant difference.
There has been a change in emphasis in May between property types, which is contra to recent experience. Flats have increased in average price over the month by 3.8%, with semis and terraced properties both seeing a 1.5% increase. On the other hand, detached properties have seen a -0.4% fall in average prices. This would explain the more even price increases across the local authority areas in Scotland in May, as flats are more universally spread throughout the country.
Local Authority Analysis
Table 2. Average House Prices in Scotland, by local authority area, comparing May 2022, April 2023 and May 2023
Table 2 above shows the average house price and percentage change (over the last month and year) by Local Authority Area for May 2022, as well as for April and May 2023, calculated on a seasonal and mix-adjusted basis. The ranking in Table 2 is based on the local authority area’s average house price for May 2023. Local Authority areas shaded in blue experienced record average house prices in May 2023.
Annual change
The average house price in Scotland in May 2023 has increased by £4,125 – or 1.9% – over the last twelve months. This annual rate of growth has increased by 0.3% from April’s 1.6%, and is the second consecutive upward movement in the annual rate of growth in 2023.
In May 2023, 20 of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland were seeing their average prices rise above the levels of twelve months earlier, one more than in April. Interestingly, only three of the top eleven areas ranked by value had price falls over the year, whereas six of the bottom eleven areas ranked by value saw prices fall. These statistics are less dramatic than in April 2023, when the numbers showed only two high-value areas and eight low-value areas with price falls. There is hence still a split between the behaviour of the high- and low-value areas, but it is less of a feature than previously experienced. For the record, the three high-value areas with price falls are East Dunbartonshire (-5.5%), Edinburgh (-1.6%) and Stirling (-0.6%).
The area with the highest annual increase in average house prices in May 2023 was – top of Table 2 – East Lothian, up by 10.9%. All property types in East Lothian, except flats, have seen an increase in their average prices over the last twelve months, with this month’s overall average being enhanced by the sale of a four-bedroom detached property in Gullane, for £1.275 million. The property overlooks the six-hole Children’s Golf Course – any child can play on the course at a minimal cost. Adults are also welcome to play, but they must be accompanied by a child.
On a weight-adjusted basis – which incorporates both the change in prices and the number of transactions involved – there were five local authority areas in May which accounted for 51% of the £4,125 increase in Scotland’s average house price over the year. The five areas, in descending order of influence, are: – East Lothian (13%); East Renfrewshire (11%); Perth and Kinross (10%); Fife (9%); and Renfrewshire (8%). Edinburgh accounted for 38% of the price falls in May, with all property types seeing values fall over the year.
Monthly change
In May 2023, Scotland’s average house price rose in the month by some £2,600, or 1.2%. The increase in the month is the highest since March 2022, some 14 months earlier. In May 2023, 24 of the 32 Local Authority areas in Scotland experienced rising prices in the month, four more than in April. Of the 24 local authorities with price increases in May, 11 are in the top half when ranked by price, and 13 in the lower half.
The largest increase in average prices in the month was in Inverclyde, up by 11.4%. However, Inverclyde has the second-lowest transaction count on the mainland, which tends to result in volatile movements in its average prices, especially when expressed in percentage terms. In second place is Dundee City, where prices have risen by 4.4% in the month. This increase was assisted by the sale of a new-build 3-bedroom detached home in Broughty Ferry for £1.2 million.
On a weight-adjusted basis, similar to that described above, the five local authorities which accounted for 47% of the increase in prices in the month were:- Glasgow (14%); Perth and Kinross (11%), East Lothian (10%) Inverclyde (6%) and Dundee City (6%). The Perth average prices are elevated this month by the sale of Glencarse House, which the agents describe as being one of Perthshire’s finest Country Houses. It has ten bedrooms and 18.6 acres of land. It sold for £2.35 million.
Peak Prices
Each month, in Table 2 above, the local authority areas which have reached a new record in their average house prices are highlighted in light blue. In May 2023, there are 5 such authorities, down from 7 seen in April. 3 of these 5 areas are in the bottom 10 authorities when ranked by price, with 2 in the top 10 – including East Lothian which is currently top of Table 2. Also of interest is that Scotland’s overall average price is similarly at a record price – for the first time in the last six months.
Scotland transactions of £750k or higher
Table 3. The number of transactions by month in Scotland greater than or equal to £750k, January 2015 – May 2023
Table 3 shows the number of transactions per month in Scotland which are equal to or greater than £750k. The threshold of £750k has been selected as it is the breakpoint at which the highest rate of LBTT becomes payable.
There were 43 such transactions recorded by RoS relating to May 2023. Currently, this is the fourth highest May total recorded to date, but this may rise to third place as RoS continues to process additional sales.
Looking at the number of high-value properties sold in the first four months of each year in Table 3, 2023 is ranked in fourth place – although the March totals in 2015 and 2021 are perhaps artificially high, having been boosted by tax-related events – these were the introduction of the LBTT in place of SDLT in April 2015 and the ending of the Covid related LBTT tax-holiday in April 2021.
However, there is a clear trend, in that the totals in each of the first five months of 2023 are lower than those in 2022, suggesting that some of the enthusiasm that existed in the 2022 housing market for the purchase of large country homes has dissipated, except perhaps in Perthshire (see above).
Edinburgh accounts for 137 of the 309 high-value sales (44%) that have been recorded to date by RoS in 2023, compared to 48% in 2022. There are two local authority areas having an equal second-highest number of sales in excess of £750k in 2023 – these were Glasgow City and East Lothian, but with just 18 such sales apiece.
Transactions analysis
Figure 2 below shows the monthly transaction count for purchases during the period from January 2015 to May 2023, based on RoS (Registers of Scotland) figures for the Date of Entry (except for May 2023, which is based on RoS Application Dates).
The chart shows how, in general, transactions in May are higher than in April as sales climb to a summer peak, which can occur in June, July or August. In fact, in Figure 2, May is higher than April in eight of the nine years displayed – the one exception being 2022, as the country was slowly emerging from the pandemic.
2023 (the black line) has the second-lowest number of transactions for the first five months of each of the nine years shown in Figure 2, at 34,075 sales. The lowest year, at 25,324 sales, is 2020 (the teal line) – March 2020 having been the month in which the first Covid lockdown was announced. The decline in the current year’s level of transactions compared to previous years appears to have begun from having the second-highest number of sales in September 2022, falling to the lowest of the nine years by January 2023.
The start of the reduction in sales coincided with both the arrival of Mrs Truss as Prime Minister on 6 September 2022 and the seventh increase since December 2021 of the official bank rate, to 2.25%, on 22 September 2022. Liz Truss departed as Prime Minister on 25 October 2022. The bank rate was further increased on 3 November and 15 December 2022, ending the year at 3.5%.
The bank rate was raised again on 2 February 2023, 23 March 2023, 11 May 2023 and 22 June 2023, and now stands at 5.0%. It would thus appear that the increase in mortgage costs, especially since September 2022, has been having a negative effect on the number of housing sales taking place each month in Scotland’s housing market.
Figure 2. The number of sales per month recorded by RoS based on entry date from 2015 – 2023
Heat Map
The heat map below shows the rate of house price growth for the 12 months ending May 2023. As reported above, 20 of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland have seen a rise in their average property values over the last year.
The highest increase on the mainland over the twelve months to May 2023 was in East Lothian, up by 10.9%, followed by East Renfrewshire at 10.7% and the Scottish Borders at 8.8%. At the other end of the scale, it was Clackmannanshire that had the largest fall in prices over the previous twelve months at -6.2%.
Comparisons with Scotland
Figure 3. Scotland house prices, compared with England and Wales, North East and North West for the period January 2005-May 2023
Figure 4. A comparison of the annual change in house prices in Scotland, England and Wales, North East and North West for the period January 2020–May 2023
Scotland’s Eight Cities
Figure 5. Average house prices for Scotland’s eight cities from March 2022–May 2023
Figure 6. Average house prices for Scotland’s eight cities May 2023
With just weeks to go before RSABI’s Great Glen Challenge, 24 hardy teams from a wide range of roles in Scottish agriculture are now training hard for the multi-sport event between Fort Augustus and Fort William on August 25.
The teams are also fundraising in a bid to help RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture, reach the ambitious target of £50,000 by taking part in the event, sponsored by expert legal advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew.
A fantastic total of around £18,000 has already been raised by those taking part, and RSABI is encouraging supporters to dig deep and get behind those taking part in the challenge to help the charity provide emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture.
The Great Glen Challenge 2023 will see competing teams of four plus a support driver take on a day jam-packed with activity in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. The route consists of a 49km mountain bike, 6km kayak, 18km walk, and 17km run and is designed to challenge teams, promoting commitment and teamwork from the onset of training up to the day of the event.
After competing in last year’s Great Glen Challenge, overall event sponsors Gillespie Macandrew have this year signed up two teams – GMac Movers and GMac Shakers. NFU Scotland have managed to rustle up a brilliant total of three teams and SP Energy Networks have got two teams entered.
Others taking part include Bell Ingram, Bidwells LLP, the Crofting Commission, Davidson & Robertson, James Hutton Institute, Johnston Carmichael, Royal Bank of Scotland, SAC Consulting, Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (north region), Scottish Woodlands, Tarff Valley, Thomson Cooper Accountants, Thorntons, and Virgin Money, Bank of Scotland and Galbraith.
Last year’s winners, Team Shannoch, will also be back to try to retain their position at the top of the Great Glen leaderboard.
The Scottish Farmer is again kindly media partner for the event, and to support racegoers, People’s Ford are kindly providing a Ford Ranger to join the fleet of support vehicles, while letting agents Rettie & Co have signed up as this year’s route sponsors and map creators.
As well as offering an event with a unique team-building spirit, the Great Glen Challenge also highlights the importance of keeping fit to maintaining good physical and mental health.
Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive, said: “There is something very special about the Great Glen Challenge and we are delighted that so many people from different parts of Scottish agriculture are this year getting behind it.
“Everyone is busy and for so many people to make time to support our flagship fundraising event of the year means a great deal. Our thanks also go to everyone who kindly sponsors the teams and a special thanks to Gillespie Macandrew, our overall event sponsor this year.
“Our thanks also go to the volunteers who help us run the event, our media partners, The Scottish Farmer, and all those who have already generously donated to the competing teams. Donations have been coming in thick and fast, setting us in good stead to reach our ambitious £50,000 target.”
Team donations for the Great Glen challenge are now open.
To donate and find out more about how to support the teams, visit:
Teen Boutique 
