EAST RENFREWSHIRE

One of the smallest council regions in Scotland, East Renfrewshire is also one of the most aspirational and upmarket

Study the GSPCís quarterly price analysis, and East Renfrewshire has consistently been at the top of the list in terms of house prices. That might surprise some, and others may even be unaware of the precise geography of this compact council region, tucked away on the south-western corner of Glasgow. East Renfrewshire cuts a swathe through the city, extending west as far as Barrhead (itself just to the east of Paisley), and it includes many of Glasgowís finest areas ñ in many ways, driving down the A727 is more reminiscent of Surrey and Sussex than Scotland.

New homes in this part of Glasgow vary considerably. Although modern executive housing estates have popped up in places like Crookston, flats are still the dominant house type, with a winning blend of old sandstone conversions and entirely new edifices offering a property for every set of personal circumstances. Apartment living has never been so sought after, and itís easy to see why when you consider the properties in question. For traditional homes, you can take your pick from the seemingly endless swathe of sandstone villas extending from Busby through Clarkston and Giffnock out to Whitecraigs. Alternatively, modern homes are taken care of in Newton Mearns, a huge commuter town with mile after mile of semi-detached 1960s villas and modern executive homes jostling for attention.