The mutual’s latest Investor Index, which uses its own customer data, shows the uplift in initial contributions into new ISAs by Scottish investors significantly outpaced the UK average (11%).

Scottish parents were also among the UK’s most generous Junior ISA (JISA) contributors, increasing the initial amount they put into new JISA accounts by 15% – well above the national average of 10%.

The figures point to a growing desire among Scottish investors to build financial resilience in the face of continued cost-of-living pressures and wider economic uncertainty.

On a UK-wide basis, women who opened new ISA accounts in Q1 increased their contributions by 13% compared with the previous quarter. Men increased theirs by 9%.

Contributions also rose across all age groups across the UK – most notably among those aged 50-64, for whom opening values rose 15%. Younger adults (18–34) opening new ISAs boosted their new contributions by 9% and those aged 35–49 increased by 6%.

Scottish Friendly’s savings specialist, Kevin Brown, said: “It’s encouraging to see Scottish households leading the way when it comes to investing for the future.

“In the face of ongoing economic uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures, many people across Scotland are clearly taking proactive steps to build greater financial resilience.

“What stands out in this quarter’s data is not just that Scots are still investing, but that they’re investing more. Whether it’s individuals putting more into their own ISAs or parents increasing what they set aside for their children’s futures, it shows a growing awareness of the need to plan ahead and take control of their financial wellbeing – even in tough times.”