The power of community-led action in helping create a new future for Scotland’s places has been celebrated in the Scottish Parliament.
A reception celebrating Scotland Loves Local was held at Holyrood yesterday evening (WEDS), with MSPs, council and business leaders marking the achievements of people and projects across the country.
And a special spotlight was shone upon the winners and finalists in this year’s Scotland Loves Local Awards – from those representing Paisley as Town of the Year to regional High Street Heroes.
Spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local champions the critical difference of choosing local and supporting local businesses in building stronger, fairer, wealthier and more sustainable communities.
Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, spoke to those gathered about the importance of empowering local places and people.
He said afterwards: “The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the people and businesses that are the beating hearts of our towns, town centres and high streets, and I’d like to offer my congratulations to all of the Award winners.
“Local spending is vital to the prosperity of our villages, towns and cities. It keeps people in jobs, businesses open and wealth in communities.”
Guests were welcomed to the reception by Megan Gallacher MSP and Paul McLennan MSP, the Convener and Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group for Towns and Town Centres.
Both highlighted how town centres are the beating heart of communities, vital to local economies.
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA’s Wellbeing Spokesperson, also addressed the audience, highlighting how local authorities are championing town centre resilience and renewal.
Professor Leigh Sparks, the Chair of STP, shared thoughts about the importance of continuing to build momentum to create stronger, more connected local places.
The evening was an opportunity to network, learn and share ideas about driving positive change in communities – and the importance of embracing the ethos of Scotland Loves Local to help take that to the next level.
It also marked the fifth anniversary of Scotland Loves Local’s launch, first as a response to the financial fightback from coronavirus, but evolving into a wider campaign to improve Scotland’s places.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “Through Scotland Loves Local this year, we have been celebrating the fact that it’s people who make places. The achievements of the winners and finalists in our awards are testament to that fact.
“Through their vision, innovation and determination, they not only helping to create a new future not only for the places they call home and work, but inspiring communities the length and breadth of the country.
“Community-led activity is at the forefront of positive change across Scotland. We have seen a real resurgence in that in recent years – and it’s critical for our economy that we keep that momentum going. Everyone can play their part in supporting that by choosing local.”
Roll of honour: Scotland Loves Local Award winners 2025
- Town of the Year – Paisley (runners-up Blairgowrie and Rattray and Newton Stewart)
- Most Enterprising Community – Peterhead Area Community Trust (runners-up Glenuig Community Inn and Ochiltree Community Hub)
- Place Leader – Allan Henderson, Aberdeen Inspired / The McGinty’s Group
- Judges’ Special – Our Garnock Valley
- High Street Heroes:
- Central Scotland – Malcolm Thomas-Harley, Hamilton Our Town
- Glasgow – Impact Arts / The Boardwalk
- Highland – Angharad Rogers, Moray Chamber of Commerce
- Islands – Joanne Williams, Living Lerwick
- Lothian – Paul Boyle, Boghall Butchers
- Mid Scotland and Fife – Margaret Ferguson, Alyth
- North East Scotland – Carolyn Powell, Huntly
- South Scotland – Hugh Mulgrew, Kilmarnock
- West Scotland – Stitch & Yarn, Kirkintilloch
The Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
