Press & PR

Property in the UK may seemingly be set for a decline of its strong growth, but Scotland could remain sheltered from this trend due to steady buyer demand, it has been suggested.

According to independent analysts at Allied Surveyors, Scotland will continue its "steady growth" in 2008, which may attract investors from the UK looking to dodge the effects of declining prices.

"We're going to be reasonably well protected from the downturn which is obviously affecting everywhere else in the country outside of central London," said Grant Robertson, the director of Allied Surveyors.

"I think that we'll see modest, single digit growth – between five and seven per cent is what we're thinking as a company."

A recent Halifax report highlighted Lochgelly, Paisley, Greenock and Aberdeen as the Scottish towns most likely to see the biggest house price rises in 2008.

Those interested in finding property which may increase in value may therefore be heading north, although they may be concerned about the cost of keeping in touch with friends and family.

However, Vonage's web phone services may provide a cheap way of remaining in contact with loved ones as unlimited free calls across all of the UK and Ireland can be made through broadband connections for just £5.99 a month.