Scottish mortgage lending has experienced its strongest first quarter since 2008 signalling growing confidence in the country's property market.
House purchase lending was up 7 per cent in the first three months of 2016 compared to the previous year.
While a total of 13,500 loans were issued to first time buyers and home movers - the biggest number since 2008 when 15,700 were handed out.
The figures, from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), also reveal that Scotland is more affordable for first-time buyers and those moving home, than the UK overall.
CML said it expects further growth in mortgage lending throughout the rest of the year.
Carol Anderson, CML Scotland chair, said: "Seasonal factors often affect lending levels in the first quarter of the year, but there are encouraging indicators in Scotland, as all lending types showed growth year-on-year.
"2016 saw the strongest first quarter in a year for house purchase lending since 2008 and, with affordability conditions continuing to be favourable, we would expect gradual year-on-year growth in Scotland to continue throughout 2016."
The figures reveal that first-time buyers borrowed £660 million during the first quarter of 2016, down 24 per cent on the fourth quarter of 2015, but up 10 per cent on the first quarter of last year.
While home movers borrowed £1.1 billion, down 1 per cent on the last quarter of 2015, but up 13 per cent compared to a year ago.
Faisal Choudhry, head of research in Scotland for estate agents Savills, claimed government initiatives and low mortgage rates are making it even more affordable for people to buy property.
He said: "The strong growth in mortgage lending indicates improved consumer confidence and a market that is adjusting to tighter lending criteria.
"Mortgage lending numbers are made up of first time buyers and home movers. Both of these target markets have witnessed an increase in lending, supported by government incentives such as the Help to Buy scheme and low mortgage rates for those with higher levels of equity.
"On an annual basis, mortgage lending in Scotland increased by 5% during the year ending March 2016.
"However, the number of residential sales in Scotland increased by 8% over the same period.
"This suggests a rise in Cash Buyers, boosted by increased levels of equity in prime locations, particularly among older buyers and also Buy to Let purchasers trying to avoid the higher rates of taxation introduced for additional properties from April 2016."
The CML research also showed that for those buying for the first time, affordability measures indicate that Scotland is one of the most affordable places to do so.
The average amount borrowed for first time buyers in the first quarter of 2016 was £97,795, compared to £130,500 in the UK overall.
Those buying their first home also borrowed an average of 2.97 times their annual salary, compared to the UK average of 3.46.
Home movers also fare better in Scotland, with the average amount borrowed in the first of quarter of 2016 reaching £136,000, compared to £172,295 in the UK overall.
They also tend to borrow around 2.68 times their annual salary, compared to the UK average of 3.20.
The figures also show that remortgaging borrowing totalled £780m in the first three months of 2016, down 1 per cent on the fourth quarter of 2015, but up 13 per cent compared to a year ago,
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