The East Lothian housing market continues to be one of Scotland’s most pre-eminent markets, with the third highest average house price in the country. The lifestyle on offer, connectivity and quality of property continues to attract buyers, particularly for sought-after settlements, where detached properties command significant premiums above the Scottish average.

“East Lothian continues to demonstrate why it is one of Scotland’s most desirable housing markets. Stability in pricing, strong demand and sustained activity levels underline the area’s long-term appeal to a wide range of buyers.

If you wish to take advantage of this promising local property market, our experienced East Lothian team are here to assist you. For a free, no obligation market appraisal of your property, or to discuss your buying requirements, please contact me directly.”

Andrew Smith MRICS
Director of Country House Sales

East Lothian has the third highest average house price in Scotland.

The average house price in East Lothian is around £321,000, which is the third highest among all Scottish local authority areas, nearly 40% higher than the Scottish equivalent.

There is a premium across all property types in East Lothian.

The East Lothian premium is evident across all property types. This includes detached homes, where the premium is over one third higher than the national average price.

There has been recent growth in market activity.

Both sales volumes and market turnover (value of property sold) rose by 18% in East Lothian in 2025, well ahead of national benchmarks, showing renewed buying confidence and strong demand.

There is a premium for desirable settlements.

The prime settlements in East Lothian, notably in the coastal locations of Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick, command particular price premiums and average house prices are among the highest of any settlements in Scotland.

Outlook for the rest of 2026.

Looking ahead, East Lothian appears well-positioned to maintain its standing among Scotland’s top performing housing markets.

Key drivers include:

  • Continued demand from Edinburgh commuters.
  • Ongoing lifestyle-driven relocation.
  • Limited supply in prime coastal settlements.
  • Relative mortgage rate stability.

While external economic and political factors will inevitably influence short-term trends, the fundamentals underpinning East Lothian’s appeal remain firmly in place.

Read the full report

Lead Researcher
Dr John Boyle MRICS
Director of Research & Strategy
Consultancy & Research
Published: 1 Apr 2026
ResearchSales
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