Edinburgh ranked third in the UK for precious metal interest, with 8,550 annual searches, equivalent to 1,611 per 100,000 people.
Glasgow followed in sixth place with 13,670 searches, or 1,303 per 100,000 people.
The data, compiled from Google searches between August 2025 and September 2026, reveals growing demand for gold bars.
In Edinburgh, more than 2,500 of the city’s searches were related to gold bars.
Rick Kanda, managing director at The Gold Bullion Company, said: “Gold and silver prices hit record highs in 2025 and into the beginning of 2026, so it’s easy to understand why searches for investment in precious metals have increased by 100% in the past year.
“Investors turn to precious metals to protect and diversify their portfolios for several reasons.
“Gold is a safe-haven asset, meaning that it tends to perform well during geopolitical events and economic downturns.
“Gold is also a traditional hedge against inflation as it maintains purchasing power when fiat currency values drop.
“The biggest factor to consider before investing in precious metals is whether your current financial situation allows you to.
“It’s important not to get drawn in by media hype and understand that gold, in particular, is a long-term investment and won’t generate quick returns, so don’t be rash.”
For those interested in silver, silver coins appear to be the most popular choice.
Silver Britannia coins are especially attractive to new investors because they are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and are more affordable than other precious metals.
Across the UK, London topped the list with 1,923 searches per 100,000 people, cementing its reputation as the nation’s gold investment capital.
Leeds ranked second with 745 searches per 100,000 people, with gold bars accounting for 40% of its total searches.
Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol also featured in the top 10.
Kanda said: “Silver is a hedge against inflation, making it an attractive investment option.
“The biggest silver advantage is that it’s much more affordable per ounce than gold, making it more attractive and manageable for new investors.”
The Gold Bullion Company advises potential investors to carefully assess their financial situation before committing to precious metals, warning that gold is a long-term store of value rather than a route to quick profits.
The study used search terms including “buy gold,” “gold bars,” and “silver bars” to measure interest across the UK’s 15 most populous cities.
These findings highlight a growing appetite for alternative investments amid ongoing global and economic uncertainty, with Scottish cities leading the charge outside London.
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