Scottish house sales drop by 20%

House sales have dropped by almost 20% in Scotland, but the average price has continued to rise, according to official figures.

The Registers of Scotland is a government department which records all mortgage and cash sales.

It said the volume of sales dropped by 19.4% between April and June, compared to the same time last year.

But despite the overall drop in sales, average prices have risen over the year by 4.6% to £155,691.

A report from the registers showed the total value of sales registered in the second quarter was £4.8 billion - 15.9% less than last year but 16.9% up on the previous quarter.

Iain Robb, of property solicitors Strutt and Parker, said people who need to borrow the most are "dipping out of the market".

He added: "The market is quite active. The entire property market is built on confidence and people have to decide whether to borrow or use their own capital. That confidence is knocked at the moment."

The Registers of Scotland said Edinburgh recorded the highest average price at £221,209.

The highest yearly increase - at 14.3% - was in West Dunbartonshire, where the average price is now £119,120.

Orkney recorded the steepest drop in prices at 11.7%, bringing the average cost of a home to £112,984.

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