Scotland's Towns

24/09/2026

The Town of the Year shortlist is here!

Five communities are in the running to follow Oban and Paisley as Scotland's Town of the Year at the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards:

📍 East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire
📍 Falkirk
📍 Fort William, Highland
📍 Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
📍 Kirkwall, Orkney

We've also announced the shortlist for Innovation in Place, recognising projects making a real difference in towns.

Congratulations to every place and project on the list. Winners will be revealed in October - is your town in the mix?

Read more, here: https://lovelocal.scot/five-in-the-running-for-scotlands-town-of-the-year-crown/

23/06/2026

Located in the picturesque pocket of Fife’s East Neuk is the historic village of Crail - home to a range of independent businesses.

Crail businesses were amongst communities across Fife, and throughout Scotland, who supported the message of this year’s Scotland Loves Local Week, flying the flag for this hidden gem.

https://lovelocal.scot/village-businesses-on-success-sustainability-and-why-everyone-wins-when-we-think-local-first

21/06/2026

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has made Scotland Loves Local Week 2026 another fantastic success!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Across the country, communities, politicians and organisations of all kinds have been flying the flag for local businesses - reminding is all of the critical difference we can each make by choosing local.

📺 It's been a great celebration, as Leigh Sparks, the Chair of STP, discussed with Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty ⬇

Professor Leigh Sparks, Chair of Scotland's Towns Partnership, shar...

19/06/2026

Supporting local business is about so much more than just shopping - it’s about investing in the heart of our places. When you choose local, your money goes directly back into the community, paying the wages of local staff and protecting the rich heritage that makes Scotland’s towns so unique.

As we come to the end of Scotland Loves Local 2026, let’s keep championing the think local first message.

You can find out more about what’s been taking place during the week here: www.lovelocal.scot

Scotland Loves Local Gift Card

18/06/2026

Food, glorious food! As part of Scotland Loves Local Week, our ambassador Sean Batty enjoyed a wander around North Berwick Harbour Market where he met amazing local food and drink producers, sampled some of their fantastic products and heard all about the incredible difference we can all make by choosing local.

Well done to East Lothian Food and Drink for serving up such a superb showcase. We had a brilliant time with them celebrating Scotland Loves Local Week 📺 Meet some of their superb stallholders ⬇
Balgone Estate Belhaven Smokehouse Foraging Goat

As part of Scotland Loves Local Week, TV presenter Sean Batty joine...

18/06/2026

Minister for Business showed his support for Scotland Loves Local Week as he met with representatives from Glasgow’s 4 BIDs and Leader of Glasgow City Council, shining a spotlight on the role of BIDs in building stronger, more resilient communities across Scotland.

Positive Possil

16/06/2026

Representatives from Glasgow’s four Business Improvement Districts joined forces at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum today to urge residents to choose local as part of Scotland Loves Local Week 💙

They were supported by Minister for Business and Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken in highlighting the difference that can be made by flying the flag for local businesses.

BIDs across Glasgow support local businesses by championing the enterprises and assets in their area, helping to create reasons to visit and support local businesses as well as unlocking other positive changes.
Visit West End My Shawlands Possilpark BID Let’s Go Glasgow BID

16/06/2026

Representatives of Glasgow's four Business Improvement Districts joined forces with the Scottish Government's Business Minister and the Leader of Glasgow City Council to issue a call for everyone in the city to 'choose local'.

They gathered with Tom Arthur and Cllr Susan Aitken at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum today to highlight the difference that every resident can make by supporting local businesses more.

It was fantastic to see the BIDs delivering such a strong message together. Read the full story via the link in the comments.
Visit West End My Shawlands Possilpark BID Let's Go Glasgow Glasgow City Council The Scottish Government

16/06/2026

It’s Scotland Loves Local Week!

From 13th to 20th June, people across the country are flying the flag for local businesses, shining a spotlight on the transformational impact that choosing local can have for the places where we live, work and visit.

If you or your business are getting involved in the celebrations this week, make sure and tag us in your photos!

15/06/2026

It's absolutely fantastic to see Business Improvement Districts across the country flying the flag for choosing local as part of Scotland Loves Local Week 😍

📸 We'd love to see your photos of joining in Scotland Loves Local Week. Why not drop us a DM or leave a pic in the comments ⬇