The search has started to find Scotland’s Town of the Year.
Nominations have opened for the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards – with people across the country urged to shine a spotlight on their community and its champions.
As well as crowning Scotland’s Town of the Year, the awards will also honour High Street Heroes across the country and see the presentation of a special Innovation in Place prize.
The awards are organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages people to help grow stronger communities by supporting the enterprises, organisations and initiatives in them.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “Remarkable, determined and innovative work is taking place across Scotland which is making our communities better places to live, work and visit. The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to celebrate all of that.
“We are looking forward to hearing more about the places, projects and people who are leading the way with inspirational action which really does make a difference – and having the chance to celebrate their achievements.”
Now in their sixth year, the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise leadership, innovation and community action that supports thriving local places – from transformational regeneration projects and entrepreneurial community initiatives to the individuals going above and beyond to make a difference.
They highlight the impact of place-based collaboration in delivering stronger, greener and more resilient town centres and places.
Nationally, awards will be presented for:
- Town of the Year (recognising a town that demonstrates a clear vision, strong partnership working and meaningful progress in creating a vibrant and sustainable place).
- Innovation in Place (recognising a specific project or initiative that has delivered meaningful, measurable impact within a town or neighbourhood, celebrating practical work happening on the ground).
Eight High Street Hero Awards – celebrating people and organisations who have gone above and beyond to support and strengthen their local town centre, high street or neighbourhood economy – will also be presented. One will be awarded in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions of Central Scotland, Lothians West, Edinburgh and Lothians East, Glasgow, Highlands and Islands, Mid Scotland and Fife, North East Scotland, South Scotland and West Scotland.
Last year saw Paisley named as Scotland’s Town of the Year after judges were impressed by the critical point reached in the town’s “resurgence” amid unprecedented investment in its future.
High Street Heroes included the team of a special shop credited with enriching its community, a driving force behind the transformation of a former department store into a cinema, cafe and events venue and property developer credited with helping bring more than 100 jobs into a town centre.
Award nominations can be made – and full category criteria found – by clicking here.
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday August 14th, with winners announced in October.
Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership with support from the Scottish Government.
