ScotLend is a specialist short-term property lender offering bridging for purchases, auction deals, refurbishment, capital raising and investment acquisitions. It describes itself as a Scottish bridging lender with national reach and says it has no postcode restrictions. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of ScotLend; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans. You can read more on ScotLend's own website.
About ScotLend
ScotLend trades as ScotLend Group Ltd and is based in Coatbridge, near Glasgow. It describes itself as a proudly Scottish lender with national reach, lending across England, Wales and Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, city centres and remote postcodes.
Its stated approach is common-sense underwriting with direct access to decision-makers, rather than layers of committees, and it assesses each case on the structure, the security and the exit. ScotLend says it is a trusted member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers.
ScotLend does not publish details of its ownership, funding lines or regulatory permissions, and it does not describe a regulated bridging product, so its loans should be treated as investment and business lending.
What ScotLend funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), ScotLend's 2026 brochure shows the following.
| Product | What it is for | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|
| Residential bridging, first charge | Purchases, auction purchases, refinance and capital raising | Up to 75% LTV |
| Residential bridging, second charge | Raising funds behind an existing mortgage | Up to 75% LTV |
| Commercial and mixed-use bridging | Commercial, mixed-use, warehouse and industrial property | Up to 70% LTV |
| Land with planning | Sites with planning consent | Case by case |
| Light refurbishment | Works on residential, commercial and mixed-use property | Case by case |
Loans run from £30,000 to £2 million, with larger loans considered on a discretionary basis. ScotLend offers desktop or automated valuations on some residential cases up to 75% LTV, and dual legal representation on loans up to £500,000, which can reduce legal costs and duplication.
See our guides to auction finance and second charge bridging loans for two common uses.
Who ScotLend suits (and who it may not)
ScotLend tends to suit:
- Investors and companies borrowing against property in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.
- Smaller bridges, from £30,000, that larger lenders may not take on.
- Borrowers in remote or rural areas where other lenders apply postcode restrictions.
- Second charge borrowers who want to keep an existing mortgage in place.
- Commercial, industrial and warehouse property as well as residential.
It may not suit homeowners needing a regulated bridge, borrowers in Northern Ireland, large loans well above £2 million, heavy refurbishment or ground-up development.
What ScotLend looks at
ScotLend says it focuses on three things: the structure of the deal, the security and the exit. In practice, expect it to look at:
- The property type, condition and value, by full valuation or, on some residential cases, a desktop or automated valuation.
- The exit: sale, refinance onto a term mortgage or repayment from another source, with a realistic timescale.
- The borrower's identity, credit history and experience.
- For second charges, the existing mortgage and the combined borrowing.
- For land, the planning consent and what it allows.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lends throughout Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, as well as England and Wales.
- Small minimum loan of £30,000.
- First and second charge options.
- Accepts warehouse, industrial and land with planning.
- Dual legal representation on smaller loans.
Cons
- Standard maximum of £2 million.
- No regulated bridging.
- No heavy refurbishment or development finance.
- Little published detail on ownership, funding and term limits.
Going through a broker vs going direct
ScotLend works through brokers. Comparing first matters because few bridging lenders cover the whole of Scotland, and those that do vary on leverage, valuation basis and costs. For larger or more complex Scottish cases, specialist banks and national bridgers may also be options.
We search the market, set ScotLend alongside other suitable lenders, present your case and manage the application through to completion. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to ScotLend
- Charles Street Finance: residential bridging across England, Scotland and Wales, plus second charges.
- Shawbrook Bank: bank bridging in England, Scotland and Wales.
- United Trust Bank: bridging in England, Wales and mainland Scotland.
- Momenta Finance: bridging across the whole UK.
- Together: residential, commercial and second charge bridging.
Common questions
Does ScotLend only lend in Scotland?
No. Despite its name, ScotLend lends across England, Wales and Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.
How much can I borrow from ScotLend?
At the time of writing, ScotLend lends from £30,000 to £2 million, with larger loans considered on a discretionary basis.
Does ScotLend offer second charge bridging?
Yes. Its brochure shows second charge residential lending up to 75% LTV.
What property does ScotLend lend against?
Residential, commercial, mixed-use, warehouse and industrial property, and land with planning.
Does ScotLend offer regulated bridging?
ScotLend does not describe a regulated bridging product. If you need to borrow against your own home, we can compare lenders that offer regulated bridging.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
