THE number of investments made in potential high growth private companies in Scotland fell in the first half amid the uncertainty generated by the Brexit referendum in June, research has found. However, activity held up more strongly than in the UK. Market analysts at Beauhurst found 79 equity investment deals completed in Scotland in the six months to 30 June, down eight per cent from 86 in the second half of last year. The number of investments completed in the UK fell 21 per cent, to 1,427 from 1,809. The total backing provided to firms in Scotland increased by 190 per cent quarter on quarter, to £219 million from £75m. This was largely due to a £128m investment in the Edinburgh-based Skyscanner flight search business. The total invested in the UK fell by 11 per cent to £2.3bn from £2.6bn.