PROPERTY experts say that confidence is returning to the Scottish housing market as new figures reveal an increase in the number of homes changing hands.

Fresh data from Registers of Scotland show the total volume of sales north of the Border has gone up by 8.1% from April to June compared to the same period a year ago.

House prices are also on the rise in many areas. The biggest increase was in predominantly affluent East Renfrewshire, where a property worth £199,582 last year would now go on the market for £211,899. However, the average house price in Scotland fell slightly by 0.3% in the period and now stands at £153,102.

The report is the latest to show mainly improving fortunes for Scotland's property market. It follows data from LSL Property Services/Acadametrics and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors that showed house prices were rising along with demand.

Sales volumes of all house types have improved compared to last year, with the number of transactions involving flats showing the biggest rise, of 16.6%.

The upturn is in line with ­previous months, with Registers of Scotland figures now showing a gradual increase in the number of properties passing through the market during the previous three quarters.

Kenny Crawford, Registers of Scotland's Director of Commercial Services, said the figures were extremely positive.

He said: "Across Scotland, some areas are experiencing significant price increases. In particular, Aberdeenshire is performing well, with an average price of £215,589. This is a 5.6% rise from the same period a year ago.

"East Renfrewshire recorded the highest percentage price rise of 6.2%.

"However, prices in Argyll and Bute have experienced a drop of 11.9%."

According to the Registers of Scotland Survey, 2161 properties were sold in Glasgow between April and June, an increase of 13.8% on the year before.

Other areas where there was significant movement in the housing market include Midlothian, where transactions rose from 258 to 323, Aberdeen, where property deals increased from 1135 to 1399 and Renfrewshire, where 613 houses were sold compared to 518 in the same period last year.

Overall, more than £3 billion worth of property was bought and sold between April and June, a rise of 7.7% from figures reported in 2012.

Simon Brown, head of ­residential property at consultants CKD Galbraith, said the survey was an indication that the property market is recovering.

He said: "As a firm we have experienced heightening confidence in the Scottish property market with the volume of sales agreed being up 30% on the same period last year and double the number of viewings being conducted this quarter since the first quarter of 2013.

"There have been further encouraging signs this summer, with the competitive closing date system making a comeback across the country, in particular in Edinburgh, Perthshire and Ayrshire, where many properties quickly achieved over asking prices.

"With a positive approach and sensible pricing we have seen more stability and confidence throughout the country this year. Both buyers and sellers appear to be comfortable with where the market currently stands."

Blair Stewart, partner in Strutt & Parker's Edinburgh office, added: "Our figures show the level of transactions in Edinburgh City is significantly up compared to this time last year.

"This may, in some part, be due to a late spring market. June and July have been marked by far more activity, and some successful closing dates, than we would expect at this time of year. This is having a positive effect on momentum and I am optimistic about the coming months as a result."