The price difference between holiday homes in Scotland and Ireland may well ensure an immediate Irish demand for a waterfront apartment development at Harbour Village at Kirkcaldy, near Edinburgh, which is being launched in Dublin and Belfast today by agents Hooke and MacDonald. Prices in the first phase will start at £56,950 sterling for one-bedroom apartments, £67,950 for two-bedroom units and from £146,500 for three-bedroom penthouses.

The £12 million scheme is being developed by Morrison Homes, one of Scotland's leading construction companies, which is awaiting planning permission for a landmark apartment development on a waterside site opposite the Point Depot in Dublin. The Harbour Village will have nine blocks with a total of 161 apartments. The homes will be larger than usual with two-bedroom units averaging 735 sq ft and one-bedroom apartments having 580 sq ft. The three-bedroom penthouses will have stunning facilities and no less than 1,550 sq ft of floor space.

Kirkcaldy is located on the north shore of the Firth of Forth about 25 miles from Edinburgh and 23 miles from Saint Andrew's golf course, venue for the British Open in 2000. The area is noted for its great variety of golf courses.