Rettie: ‘Rising tide’ of house prices in Scotland’s coastal towns
Earlsferry, Fife
Research by property firm Rettie has revealed a rising tide of house prices in Scotland’s coastal towns, with almost half of the country’s Top 20 most expensive areas to be found in coastal communities.
The East Coast dominates, with Fife and East Lothian home to 9 of the top 10 coastal towns by average house price. The average house price in Scotland’s coastal towns in 2025 is £325,000, compared to a national average of £230,000.
Elie and Earlsferry takes top place for the highest priced Scottish coastal town with an average price close to £572,000, Gullane takes second spot at £522,000, while Longniddry beats St Andrews and North Berwick for third spot with an average price of around £485,000.
The top 10 Scottish coastal towns by average house price are Elie and Earlsferry (£571,777), Gullane (£522,176), Longniddry (£485,349), St Andrews (£458,733), North Berwick (£454,844), Aberdour (£393,611), Findhorn (£362,767), Pittenweem (£347,700), Crail (£335,335), and Dunbar (£324,625).
Rettie has also identified the relatively high growth in a number of Scotland’s coastal towns since 2019, with Longniddry and St Andrews recording the highest growth of the top 5 coastal towns, up by 39% and 33% respectively.
St Andrews, Fife
Research by Rettie also found that the average price in Scotland’s Top 5 coastal towns is above £450,000.
Dr John Boyle, Rettie’s director for strategy and research, said: “Coastal settlements in Scotland are much sought after, particularly on the East Coast, as demonstrated by the high average high price in these areas and the strong level of growth of the last few years.
“The demand to live in these areas comfortably exceeds the supply available, and we see coastal towns continuing to play a pivotal role in Scotland’s broader housing landscape, both economically and demographically in the years ahead.”
Commenting on the Fife coastal housing market, George Lorimer, director, Rettie, said: “St Andrews and Elie and Earlsferry continue to demonstrate the enduring strength of Fife’s coastal market.
“St Andrews itself remains one of Scotland’s most consistently sought after destinations, underpinned by its global profile, exceptional amenities and the steady demand generated by the university and the town’s world-renowned golf heritage.”
North Berwick, East Lothian
Commenting on the East Lothian coastal housing market, Emma Hay, associate director, town and country homes at Rettie, said: “East Lothian’s coastal towns and villages continue to stand out among Scotland’s most resilient and desirable property markets.
“Each town offers its own unique blend of lifestyle, connectivity and coastal character, yet all share the same underlying strength of demand consistently outstripping supply.”
Ms Hay added: “Longniddry’s exceptional growth over recent years, Gullane’s enduring appeal as a premium lifestyle destination, and North Berwick’s stability at the top end of the market collectively underline the depth and durability of buyer appetite here. These communities represent the very best of East Coast living.”


