New figures have shown that the property market in the Highlands are continuing to recover, with the best results recorded in six years.
House sales for 2014 until July are up more than 7% compared with the equivalent period in the previous year.
The total value of sales to date is more than 10% higher than 2013.
Both figures are the best since the market downturn in 2008.
House prices across the Highlands and Islands have also risen on average this year by just over 2%.
The figures have been released by the Highland Solicitors Property Centre (HSPC) who say that the upturn is positive progress.
Sarah Woodcock, manager of HSPC, said: “The property market in the Highlands and Islands is still performing well in 2014.
“It is good to see the market continuing to recover and recording the best year to date figures since the downturn in 2008.
“The number of properties coming onto the market has also increased by 10% compared with this time in 2013. This means that the choice of properties for potential buyers has not suffered, with the number of properties for sale on the HSPC register hovering around 900.
“Buyers have a good choice of properties and sales are moving fairly well and in less time than for the past five years.
“We have also seen prices creep up slightly with the average house price around 2% ahead of this time last year.”
In the past year major north housebuilders such as Tulloch Homes have said that the north is going through a post-recession revival and have also reported an upsurge in demand for sales.
Demand has led to the HSPC hosting evening drop-in sessions for people in the north interested in investing in property.
Catherine Cowan from accountants Johnston Carmichael, hosted a session on tax advice last month.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed presenting the property letting and tax issues event at the HSPC in August.
“It was great to see so many current and potential landlords interested in tax.
“There was a real buzz about the place and everyone seemed to get something out of it.”