Scotland lags UK as house prices rise

House prices rose in Scotland last year - but at a much slower pace than most other areas of the UK.

The Office for National Statistics found prices north of the border rose by 0.4% in the year to November, compared with a UK figure of 7.7%.

House price annual inflation was 8.3% in England, 1.3% in Wales and 4.6% in Northern Ireland.

Scottish prices are now 0.8% below their pre-economic downturn peak of June 2008.

Excluding London and the south east, UK house prices increased by 5.8% in the 12 months to November.

Scotland shared the lowest increase in the UK with the north east of England.

Average house prices in Scotland stood at £195,000 in November.

This compared with £302,000 in England, £173,000 in Wales and £158,000 in Northern Ireland.