INverurie: Scotland’s Town of the Year 2026
A national award recognising a town built on great businesses, strong communities, major events and people who make things happen.
Inverurie has been crowned Scotland’s Town of the Year at the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
And there was double reason to celebrate, with We Are Inverurie BID Manager Derek Ritchie also named a High Street Hero for North East Scotland.
TOWN OF THE YEAR 2026
A win for the whole town
Scotland’s Town of the Year recognises places demonstrating vision, collaboration and real progress in strengthening their economy and community. That makes this a genuinely collective award..
It reflects Inverurie’s independent and national businesses, community organisations, volunteers, residents, major events and the partnerships which continue to bring new ideas and investment into the town.
From supporting our businesses and growing Inverurie’s regional profile to delivering major events and improving shared spaces, the town’s progress has been built by people choosing to work together.
A thriving place to do business
Inverurie’s commercial strength is visible throughout the town centre. Consistently high levels of business occupancy, exceptionally low vacancy, increasing footfall and an unusually strong physical banking presence all underline the resilience of Inverurie’s local economy.
Multi-generational independents continue to trade alongside newer businesses, professional services and national retailers, creating the diverse business mix which makes the town distinctive. We Are Inverurie BID exists to continually promote, support and champion that business community – ensuring the businesses which make Inverurie special have a strong collective voice and an environment in which they can thrive.
Congratulations Derek Ritchie
We Are Inverurie BID Manager Derek Ritchie has also been recognised as a 2026 High Street Hero for North East Scotland.
The award celebrates people who go above and beyond to support and strengthen their town centres and local economies.
From championing Inverurie’s businesses and supporting major events to helping unlock funding, connecting organisations and advocating on issues affecting the town, Derek’s work has helped turn partnership and ambition into action.
Alongside his role with the BID, Derek is also a trustee of Inverurie Events and Evolving Inverurie, reflecting the collaborative approach which has become such an important part of Inverurie’s progress.
A town with momentum
Major events now bring thousands of visitors into Inverurie through the Christmas Festival, Taste of Garioch and Garioch Pipe Band Championships. Community organisations deliver projects spanning the environment, heritage, arts, events and Inverurie’s future development. Local volunteers maintain more than 180 hanging baskets alongside town-centre planters and displays.
Businesses, charities, volunteers and public partners increasingly work together around one shared ambition: Making Inverurie an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.