NEW research has revealed Scotland’s priciest residential street, Dick Place in Edinburgh.
The street has an average house price of £1,506,000, a study from the Bank of Scotland has found.
Edinburgh took 13 of the top 20 places in the list of Scotland’s most expensive streets.
Though after Dick Place, the two most expensive streets in Scotland lie on the west side of Aberdeen, Rubislaw Den South (£1,430,000) and Rubislaw Den North (£1,190,000).
Nitesh Patel, economist at the Bank of Scotland, commented: “Scotland’s most expensive residential streets are concentrated around the three leading cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
“The majority are located in the capital around the New Town and the West End, in close proximity to the Scottish Parliament and the financial district. ”
Even amid the gales, heavy rain and bitter cold, it is easy to see why Dick Place attracts well-heeled Scots with a spare £1.5m for a house.
The street is long and wide and the high, ivy-covered walls struggle to conceal the huge Victorian-era stone houses behind them.
The long, pebbled driveways leading up to the properties are festooned with luxury vehicles, with Mercedes and Land Rovers particularly popular.
One house’s expansive drive boasted a Mercedes 4×4, a silver Mercedes saloon and a hint of red sports car.
But while the extent of the wealth is obvious, the residents are eager to play down their affluence.
Rona Scott, an elderly home-owner who has lived in the street for many years, is typical.
“These figures tend to fluctuate so I wouldn’t pay too much attention to them,” she said. “It’s always up and down with the housing market.”
Mrs Scott, who responded to a polite request for her age with an equally polite “I’m too old to be talking about this nonsense”, would admit: “It’s a really nice area.”
Speaking inside her home, a “cottage” filled with modern art and old furniture, she added: “I’ve liked this little street since I was at school and I am very fortunate to be able to live here.”
The vast majority of residents refused even to give their names, much less invite reporters inside.
Asked about the Bank of Scotland figures, another retired lady said: “It sounds like a falsity to me.”
Speaking from the vestibule of her enormous property, she added: “What can you say? I think the older the buildings the more expensive.”
“I’m retired now but I think this particular area appeals to people because it’s central and there are good schools in the area – and that’s what’s desirable for housing, I suppose.”
Dick Place is just five minutes’ drive from both George Herriot private school and the University of Edinburgh.
Another very elderly gentleman, speaking at the door of possibly the biggest house in the street, was also keen to play down Dick Place’s exclusivity.
He said: “I think there are probably other streets that are just as expensive.
“One or two individual houses probably put that trend up a bit but I don’t think that means it’s the most expensive street in Edinburgh.”
