The stats, published by law firm Aberdein Considine using information obtained from Registers of Scotland, reveal what the firm describes as the country’s 10 ‘property hotspots’, where homeowners have made the most money from bricks and mortar during the past 12 months.

Edinburgh — where the average house price has increased by more than £20,000 since last December — tops the list which was released last week. But Renfrewshire, Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen make up the rest of the top five, where values have risen by £1,356, £1,302 and £1,199 a month respectively.

According to the Aberdeen-based company, the statistics mean people throughout the country have seen their home value increase by £1,744 in each month of 2014. The average house in Stirling has enjoyed a £1,648 jump in value each month, adding £19,770 to local prices during the year.

Bob Fraser, senior partner with Aberdein Considine, said many parts of the country enjoyed a strong year in 2014.

“The Scottish economy has rallied during the past 12 months and as a result, more people have had the confidence to buy and sell property.

“In recent years, Edinburgh and Aberdeen have led the post-recession recovery in the property market, while other parts of the country have struggled to keep up. However, as these figures show, many other parts of Scotland are now beginning to flourish.” Inverclyde, North and East Ayrshire, East Lothian and Angus also enjoyed month-on-month price increases of over £1,000 during the year. The Scottish average was £877.

Mr Fraser is forecasting a busier than usual start to 2015 as buyers look to beat tax increases at the higher end of the market.

From April, Stamp Duty will be replaced by the Scottish Government’s Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).

The changes are expected to ease the burden for first time buyers, and at the time of going to print, would result in a levy of 10 per cent on the balance of properties worth between £250,001 and £1million.

However, finance secretary John Swinney has since indicated that he will revise those plans to a lower rate which he is expected to set out at the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday).

Speaking before Mr Swinney’s announcement, Mr Fraser added: “The changes coming mean that people buying at a certain level will be saving a substantial amount of money if they buy now.

“As a result, what is typically a quiet month for the industry has become a very busy one. To help meet the demand from buyers, we have been offering Free Home Reports to people looking to sell in January.

“If this month so far is anything to go by, I expect 2015 to be just as profitable as 2014 for people with homes in the right areas.”