INVERCLYDE

Hugging the southern shore of the river Clyde, this compact region benefits from fabulous views and impressive transport links

Occupying the land along the River Clydeís southern bank, Inverclyde forms a bridge between Renfrewshire and Ayrshire. The boundaries of this council region is blurred (just ask residents of Kilmacolm), but the importance to the economy of Scotland cannot be overestimated. With a population of around 85,000 people, an ideal geographic position allows residents to reach retail centres and rural coastlines in equal time, and this blend of town and country has also attracted significant numbers of housebuilders.

Inverclyde is a traditional setting, with numerous large detached houses belying the regionís reputation as predominantly working class. Wemyss Bay is characterised by modern detached villas and Inverkip has changed beyond recognition, with apartments and townhouses forming a guard of honour around the hugely popular marina. Step off any of the ferries that arrive into Gourock, and you see a seemingly endless swathe of bungalows and villas ahead of you, clinging to the steep hillside and enjoying commanding views over the water and distant land masses, with the weather of all four seasons possible in a single day. Further east, even Port Glasgow is now associated with huge modern detached homes, and family villas are mushrooming along the river bank. Itís a microcosm of how the fortunes of these locations have changed for the better.