Rettie hails strong growth for Town and Country team across East Lothian and Midlothian

The property firm continues to strengthen its specialism in coastal markets, selling over 1 in 3 homes in the EH31 postcode that includes Gullane, home to Scotland’s highest average house price for a coastal town.

The performance reflects sustained demand across the ‘Golf Coast’, with buyers continuing to prioritise lifestyle-led locations like Gullane, North Berwick, and the surrounding towns and villages.

Joanna Rizzo has joined Rettie’s Town and Country team as a valuer from Simpson & Marwick, and will increase Rettie’s coverage in the East Lothian and Midlothian regions. Rizzo, who has close links to East Lothian, spent 5 years with Simpson & Marwick, most recently as an Associate, and was previously a sales negotiator at MOV8.

Andrew Smith, director of Town and Country at Rettie, said: “Joanna’s appointment reflects continued team growth and our commitment to servicing an area where we already have a strong presence, with ambitions to build further and expand.”

Joanna Rizzo said: “I’m hugely excited to join Rettie and the team, and bring a strong affinity for East Lothian, particularly its countryside towns and coastal location.”

Rettie’s Town and Country team also includes Emma Hay (associate director), Charlotte Canby (senior sales negotiator), and Abi Maple (sales consultant).

In April, Rettie research revealed that East Lothian is home to the third highest average house prices in Scotland. The average house price in East Lothian in 2025 was £321,000, the third highest against all other Scottish local authority areas, and nearly 40 per cent higher than the Scottish average equivalent.

This places East Lothian behind only Edinburgh and East Renfrewshire. The area also outperforms nearby authorities, including Midlothian (circa £305,000 average) and West Lothian (circa £246,000 average).