Five communities are in the running to be named as Scotland’s Town of the Year.
Places across the country have been put forward for the accolade as part of the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
From those nominated, five have been shortlisted. They are:
- East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire
- Falkirk
- Fort William, Highland
- Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
- Kirkwall, Orkney
This is the third year in which Town of the Year has been presented as part of the wider awards.
Last year’s crown went to Paisley, with the inaugural honour being presented to Oban.
Shortlisted contenders in the Scotland Loves Local Awards’ Innovation in Place category have also been announced. They are:
- Climate Action Strathaven (South Lanarkshire)
- Fife Council – Riverside Park Regeneration Project, Glenrothes (Fife)
- Inverness BID & partners – Street Scene (Highland)
- Narture CIC, Ayr (South Ayrshire)
- Our Union Street – Our Aberdeen App (Aberdeen)
Winners of these awards – alongside those for regional High Street Heroes – will be announced next month (October).
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), 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.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Chief Officer, said: “The Scotland Loves Local Awards are one of the highlights of our year. Well done to each of the places and projects shortlisted – and to all of the people involved. Each of them is a fantastic example of innovation, determination and local action improving lives in communities.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the campaign which encourages people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
