Inverurie named Scotland's Town of the Year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 00:38 · Archive

Inverurie in Aberdeenshire has been named Scotland's Town of the Year for community spirit and supporting local traders.

Inverurie in Aberdeenshire has been named Scotland's Town of the Year by the Scotland Loves Local awards, organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership. The town beat Fort William, East Kilbride, Falkirk and Kirkwall to win the accolade. Judges recognised residents for "turning ideas into action" and bucking the trend of town centre decline seen elsewhere.

The town has maintained retail unit vacancy rates of about 4% and footfall increased by almost 10% through 2025. Recent events have boosted the town's appeal: the Garioch Pipe Band Championships brought an estimated 9,000 visitors to Kellands Park last year, and the monthly farmers' market has doubled in size since 2024. Inverurie's population grew by almost a fifth to more than 15,000 between 2011 and 2022.

Local businessman Stephen Bruce, the fourth generation of his family to run Wm Bruce Shoe Shop which has operated for 103 years, said: "There's a great community spirit - the town comes together really well." Business Improvement District manager Derek Ritchie received a High Street Hero award for eight years of efforts keeping the town centre thriving. Retailers including Next and Superdrug have recently established outlets in the town, according to Ritchie.

How it is being reported

• Inverurie wins Scotland town of the year as ‘high street hero’ reveals key reasons for top accoladeBusiness Improvement District manager Derek Ritchie is also collecting an award for his eight years of efforts to keep the town centre thriving.Press and Journal · 23 Oct, 00:01
• We live in the Town of the Year - what makes it so good?Inverurie in Aberdeenshire lands a title which was won in previous years by Paisley and Oban.BBC North East Orkney And Shetland · 22 Oct, 23:10

In this story: Inverurie · Aberdeenshire · Scotland Loves Local · Stephen Bruce · Derek Ritchie

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