Television presenter Sean Batty is urging people across Scotland to celebrate their high street heroes.
And he is asking community groups to consider whether the place they champion could be crowned as the nation’s top town.
The STV weather presenter is calling on people across the country to get their nominations in for the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards – before they close on Friday August 14th.
As well as the Town of the Year title, they will see High Street Heroes across the country rewarded for the work they do to make their communities better.
Sean, an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local, said: “The Scotland Loves Local Awards are about celebrating the people and businesses in your community who go above and beyond – as well as the innovation, ambition and determination which is forging a better future for the places we call home.
“Not all heroes wear capes, but the way in which so many people give so much time and energy into making life better in our communities is truly heroic. What better way to celebrate that than nominating them as a High Street Hero?”
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.
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).
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.
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.
Now in their sixth year, they recognise leadership, innovation and community action that supports thriving local places – from transformational regeneration projects and entrepreneurial community initiatives to the individuals making a difference.
They highlight the impact of place-based collaboration in delivering stronger, greener and more resilient town centres and places.
Award nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards-2026/, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.
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.
