The data comes shortly after it was revealed that applications for UK citizenship from US nationals are at record levels. Since the start of the year, property enquiries from North America have risen by 19% compared with the same period in 2024, the property platform said.

The rise has been partly attributed to political unease in the United States, including concerns over Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies. The estate agency John D Wood & Co reported seeing “a number of politically motivated relocations – Americans who are seeking greater stability abroad”.

While London has historically been the focus of US buyer interest, Scotland has now taken the lead. Edinburgh has topped Rightmove’s 2025 list of most searched-for locations, overtaking Westminster, which has fallen to second. Camden ranks third, followed by Glasgow, which has leapfrogged Kensington and Chelsea.

Other Scottish areas in the top ten include the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, and Fife, indicating a broader trend in American interest beyond the capital.

The Cotswolds, once dubbed “the Hamptons of England” and home to high-profile American buyers such as Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, did not feature in this year’s top ten.

Some of the interest may reflect investment motivations, but Rightmove noted a shift in focus from London to Scotland “potentially due to its lower price point”.