Edinburgh topped the list with 234 sales in 2025, but transaction levels were down against the previous year [2024: 287]. £1m plus sales in the rest of the east were marginally down at 119, versus 120 in 2024. Glasgow almost doubled the number of £1m plus sales during the year, up to 51 from 27 in 2024. Rest of the west sales were up marginally at 62, versus 61 in 2024.

Looking at Scotland’s top postcodes, Rettie’s £1m plus report reveals that EH3 (Edinburgh New Town and West End) had the highest number of sales exceeding £1m in 2025, retaining its top position from the previous year. However, EH3 and Edinburgh’s other higher value areas (EH4, EH10, EH12) have seen a pullback in sales of between 10-30% compared to 2024 levels.

EH10 (Morningside) registered the most valuable property sale in Scotland in 2025, at just under £6m. EH9 (The Grange) was the only volume Edinburgh postcode not to have a reduced number of £1m plus sales in 2025.

In East Lothian, EH39 (North Berwick) experienced strong growth of 30% in £1m plus sales, largely due to increased turnover within the Archerfield estate.

Glasgow and its commuter districts including G46 (Giffnock), G41 (Pollokshields), an G71 (Bothwell) all doubled their number of £1m plus transactions year-on-year as stronger price growth across the city in recent years has pulled more higher value properties into the £1m plus price band.

Aberdeenshire saw only 7 £1m plus sales during the year, down from 11 in 2024, while the rest of the north also saw a decline, down to 5 transactions against 8 the previous year.

The report by property firm Rettie’s research unit found that while the top end of the market softened in 2025, transaction activity in the price brackets below £1m and above £2m remained stable. There were 58 sales above £2m in Scotland in 2025, the same number as in the previous year.

The wider Scottish residential market bounced back in 2025, with sales volumes up to around 5% and price growth of approximately 3%.

Rettie’s managing director Simon Rettie said: “While the Scottish prime residential market experienced a small but notable contraction at the £1m plus level, activity in the price segments below £1m remained comparatively stable, reflecting continued underlying demand and resilient buyer confidence.

“The £2m plus market has also been more stable, highlighting that buyers at the very top of the market are still there at very similar numbers.”

Commenting on the comparison between the second-hand and new build market, Rettie’s director of strategy and research Dr John Boyle said: “We are definitely seeing greater resilience in the second-hand market against a retreat in the new build market.

“£1 plus second-hand home sales have stabilised since 2022, with the number of overall sales hovering around 450 a year. However, new build sales in the prime bracket have fallen below 2020 levels, impacted by weaker demand and viability constraints.”

Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Mr Rettie added: “Global economic volatility persists, influencing sentiment across all property markets. Nevertheless, forward indicators suggest a potential recovery in high-value transactions as conditions stabilise.

“Scotland’s prime residential sector is well positioned to benefit from this shift, supported by increasing buyer interest in secure, high-quality living environments and the country’s growing reputation as a desirable long-term location.”