Inverurie’s success in being crowned as Scotland’s Town of the Year highlights the critical part that Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) play in building stronger, successful, more collaborative communities.
That’s the opinion shared by the Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) as winners in the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards, including the top town accolade, were announced.
STP is the parent organisation of both Scotland Loves Local and Scotland’s Improvement Districts (SIDs).
Inverurie’s nomination for the Town of the Year award was spearheaded by We Are Inverurie BID.
Speaking to Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty for a video celebrating the community’s success, Kimberley said: “We Are Inverurie are strong Scotland Loves Local ambassadors. They really promote the message of shop local, buy local and stay local.
“They do that in conjunction with their community – their residents – because they have created a nice place where people want to stay and shop.
“Aberdeenshire Council are real ambassadors for Town Centre First and embody that through all of the work that they do.”
Kimberley added: “Success like that in which we are seeing in Inverurie highlights just what an important part BIDs play in delivering positivity for the communities they serve.”
The part of the BID in helping to bring people, businesses and organisations of all kinds together has also not been lost on the Scottish Government, which supports Scotland Loves Local.
Tom Arthur, Minister for Business and Fair Work, said:“I would like to congratulate Inverurie on being named Scotland’s Town of the Year.
“This award recognises the collective effort of the local community, businesses and organisations, and highlights how a strong Business Improvement District, combined with a community-led approach, can help unlock a town’s potential and create a thriving future for all who live, work and visit there.”
Two other the runners-up in the Town of the Year category also have successful BIDs – Falkirk (Falkirk Delivers) and Lerwick (Living Lerwick).
The Town of the Year title was one half of a double success for Inverurie, with We Are Inverurie BID manager Derek Ritchie also being named as the Scotland Loves Local High Street Hero for North East Scotland.
Awards judges heard how the community rallies behind town traders and has united to stage showpiece events, boosting business by attracting thousands of people.
It is a spirit and effort which has been credited with Inverurie retaining one of the highest retail occupancy rates of any Scottish town, with a vibrant mix of generations-old family businesses, unique independent stores and national retailers.
And it has also bucked the trend of many by retaining the four major high street banks, as well as a building society – with footfall up by 10% in the year to January.
Success for Inverurie follows years of collective working involving businesses, community organisations, volunteers, residents and the public sector.
We Are Inverurie Business Improvement District (BID) works alongside Inverurie Events and others to help attract people to the town.
That work includes launching The Garioch Pipe Band Championships in Kellands Park last year (2025), attracting an estimated 9,000 visitors.
It is on top of the annual Big Switch On of the town’s Christmas lights, which attracts about 8,000 people as well as the monthly farmers’ market which has doubled in size since 2024, with 34 stalls drawing shoppers into the Market Square.
Provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Judy Whyte, is a lifelong Inverurie resident who lives just a stone’s throw from the Town Hall.
She said: “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.
“This is a special market town which has retained its country heart, while having everything that people need in their modern life.
“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.”
Aberdeenshire Council has been a key supporter of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, using it as a means by which to support businesses and lock more money into the local economy.
