Scottish house prices continue to rise, according to the latest figures from a leading financial services provider.

According to Lloyds TSB Scotland's latest house price monitor, Edinburgh has seen a rise of 18 per cent in 2007, despite a fall in the three months to October 31st.

The capital also has the highest average house price, with the mean cost of a property currently standing at £220,066.

Elsewhere in the central region, Glasgow saw a quarterly rise of 0.9 per cent and an annual growth of six per cent with an average house price of £164,997.

Professor Donald MacRae, chief economist at Lloyds TSB Scotland, commented: "There is no evidence of any crash in Scottish house prices. Rather, the Scottish housing market continues to show robust annual increases in excess of inflation."

Recent research by Abbey suggested that it remains better to buy than rent in Scotland over a 25-year period with consumers saving some 21 per cent if they purchase rather than lease.