Inverurie has secured the title of Scotland's Town of the Year in recognition of its residents' commitment to "turning ideas into action" and reversing the decline affecting many Scottish town centres. According to BBC News, the Aberdeenshire community was selected by judges for the Scotland Loves Local awards, organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership, ahead of four other shortlisted contenders: Kirkwall, Fort William, Falkirk and East Kilbride.
The award recognises how Inverurie has defied the broader trend of town centre decline, with residents actively supporting local traders and generating increased footfall for both established businesses and new ventures. The town's success reflects a distinctive approach to community engagement and economic resilience that has set it apart from other Scottish settlements facing similar challenges.
Inverurie, situated approximately 16 miles (26km) from Aberdeen between the River Don and the River Ury, has experienced significant demographic growth. The town's population expanded by nearly a fifth to exceed 15,000 residents between 2011 and 2022, demonstrating sustained expansion during a period when many Scottish towns have struggled to retain or grow their populations.
What drives Inverurie's community spirit?
Local business owners attribute the town's vitality to a deeply rooted sense of collective purpose. Stephen Bruce, the fourth generation of his family to operate Wm Bruce Shoe Shop—a business that has traded for 103 years—emphasised the importance of treating people with respect and dignity.
"There's a great community spirit - the town comes together really well,"he said, adding that Inverurie benefits from multiple generations of families running businesses who actively participate in the town's development.
"You just try to treat people the way in which you like to be treated yourself. We're very fortunate in Inverurie to have different generations of families running businesses. Everyone gets involved. This is a great place to stay. It's safe, everyone knows each other, they look out for one another and support each other for the sake of the town. Everyone wants it to be the best it can be."
Jack Strachan and his sister Shona Singer represent the third generation of their family to operate Strachan's, a business with deep historical roots in the community. The enterprise began as a fruit and vegetable cart travelling between villages in 1938, later transformed into a newsagent, and has since evolved into a multifaceted operation encompassing a deli, coffee shop, toy shop and giftware store.
"Inverurie has grown so much,"Singer explained, describing how customers consistently express loyalty to local traders.
"People say to us all of the time 'if we can get it from you, we'll buy it from you'. That's how we feel about other local businesses too. If we don't have to leave Inverurie for something, we don't."She noted that many of her friends also operate family businesses within the town, reinforcing the interconnected nature of Inverurie's commercial ecosystem.
How has Inverurie attracted visitors and boosted its economy?
The town has implemented a series of strategic events designed to draw visitors and strengthen its commercial position. The inaugural Garioch Pipe Band Championships, held in Kellands Park last year, attracted an estimated 9,000 visitors, demonstrating the potential of cultural events to drive footfall and economic activity. Additionally, the monthly farmers' market has doubled in size since 2024, indicating growing consumer interest and vendor participation.
Recent retail analysis underscores Inverurie's commercial strength, with vacancy rates in retail units standing at approximately 4%—a figure substantially lower than the national average for Scottish towns and reflecting robust demand for commercial space. This metric suggests that businesses view Inverurie as an attractive location for investment and operation.
What role has local leadership played?
Judy Whyte, the Provost of Aberdeenshire and a lifelong Inverurie resident, expressed profound pride in the town's recognition.
"I couldn't be prouder for Inverurie to be Scotland's Town of the Year. We have so much to offer here - for visitors, as well as people who choose to live and work here. It's a great place."She characterised Inverurie as
"a special market town which has retained its country heart, while having everything that people need in their modern life."
Whyte attributed the town's success to the collective contribution of its residents.
"Its success lies in the fact that we have a great community of people who each do lots of really meaningful things. Collectively, that all comes together to be a huge success."This perspective emphasises that Inverurie's achievement reflects distributed effort across the community rather than centralised leadership alone.
The Scotland Loves Local Awards, supported by the Scottish government, recognise towns demonstrating exceptional community engagement and economic vitality. Business Minister Tom Arthur highlighted that the award acknowledged the
"collective effort" of the local community, businesses and organisations in helping "unlock a town's potential"."
Kimberley Guthrie, chief officer of Scotland's Towns Partnership, described Inverurie's achievement as
"fantastic" to see the town and its businesses "thriving"."She emphasised the importance of the town centre first principle, noting that
"Aberdeenshire Council are strong ambassadors of the town centre first principle and the success here shows the incredible difference that's made when more people choose to live, work, open businesses and, ultimately, invest in towns."
"This is the time for Inverurie to wear its crown of Town of the Year with huge pride, reinforcing the message that our towns matter. Inverurie is an inspiration to others."
How does Inverurie's success compare to other award winners?
Inverurie's award follows Paisley's selection as Town of the Year in the previous year, continuing a recognition programme that began with Oban as the inaugural winner in 2024. The succession of awards across different Scottish towns reflects growing national attention to town centre revitalisation and community-led economic development.
The town maintains international connections through a decade-long twinning arrangement with Bagnères-de-Bigorre in France, fostering cultural exchange and potentially supporting business and tourism development. This partnership demonstrates Inverurie's engagement with broader networks beyond its immediate region.
Key Facts
- Inverurie's population grew by nearly 20% to over 15,000 residents between 2011 and 2022
- Retail unit vacancy rates stand at approximately 4%, indicating strong commercial demand
- The Garioch Pipe Band Championships attracted an estimated 9,000 visitors in its inaugural year
- The monthly farmers' market has doubled in size since 2024
- Wm Bruce Shoe Shop has operated continuously for 103 years, now in its fourth generation of family ownership
