^{Newly built treehouse in Holyrood Park}

Universe HIQ102: EDINBURGH, Scotland - Sep 30, 2023 - Just when we thought the housing crisis couldn't get any more convoluted, Scotland is grappling with its most unexpected twist yet: treehouses. Yes, you read that correctly. As urban ground space becomes scarce, citizens are looking up, quite literally, to the trees.

It began with Angus McDowell, a retired carpenter, who in a jestful response to the skyrocketing land prices, built a luxurious treehouse for himself in his backyard. "It was merely for a lark," McDowell said. "Next thing I knew, everyone wanted one."

Within weeks, Edinburgh's skyline transformed. Ancient oaks and elms, previously just city ornaments, became the foundation for elegant wooden homes. Old trees, once earmarked for removal, are now the most sought after real estate, their prices soaring higher than the treehouses they support.

Not to be left out, even Scotland's elite are jumping onto the bandwagon. Rumours have surfaced of Duchess Elara's plans to convert the Great Scot Pine Forest into an exclusive tree-bound neighbourhood, complete with hanging gardens and swing-set transportation.

With the boom, however, come the challenges. Building regulations are struggling to catch up, with the city council drawing lines on how high is too high and which branches can legally be used as balconies. Insurances companies too are in a frenzy, devising policies for potential 'fall outs' and tree rot liabilities.

"I've always wanted a home with a view, but I didn't quite imagine it would be atop a 200-year-old cedar."

- said Fiona Glenanne, a proud new owner of a tri-level tree bungalow.

The Mayor, Rodrick Mapleleaf, appealed for innovative solutions during these treetop times. "While we never anticipated our city's response to the housing crisis to be so... arboreal, we're embracing the change. Plus, think of the reduced carbon footprint!"

Whether this trend will branch out to other cities or remain Scotland's quirky answer to urban congestion remains to be seen. But for now, amidst the housing crisis, it seems that the people of Edinburgh have found a way to rise above, both figuratively and literally.