Inverurie town year makes: Scotland award follows revival
Inverurie has been named Scotland’s Town of the Year at the Scotland Loves Local Awards, with judges recognizing local support for businesses and a thriving town centre. The Aberdeenshire town beat four other shortlisted communities. Recent figures cited by the reports include a 10% rise in footfall in the year to January and a monthly farmers’ market that has doubled in size since 2024.
Community support has helped Inverurie’s high street buck the decline seen elsewhere. Inverurie has been named Scotland’s Town of the Year, with judges recognizing residents and businesses for turning local ideas into action.
The Aberdeenshire market town received the title at the Scotland Loves Local Awards, organized by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. Inverurie was selected ahead of Kirkwall, Fort William, Falkirk and East Kilbride, which were also shortlisted.
The award recognizes a local effort with a visible effect on town-centre trade. Yahoo News UK reported that footfall rose 10% in the year to January, while the monthly farmers’ market has doubled in size since 2024.
BBC reporting described Inverurie’s residents rallying behind local traders, helping established businesses and newcomers attract customers. Recent analysis cited put retail unit vacancy rates at about 4%.
That combination matters to people who live and shop in the town: a busy centre gives local businesses a stronger customer base, while residents can find more services and independent shops close to home. The town’s businesses and community groups have also worked together on events intended to draw visitors.
Local businesses and events drive the award
The Garioch Pipe Band Championships launched at Kellands Park last year and brought an estimated 9,000 visitors. Yahoo News UK also reported that the annual Christmas lights switch-on draws approximately 8,000 people.
The monthly farmers’ market now has 34 stalls operating in Market Square, Yahoo News UK reported. The BBC said the market had doubled in size since 2024.
Inverurie’s population grew by almost a fifth to more than 15,000 between 2011 and 2022, the BBC reported. The town sits about 16 miles (26km) from Aberdeen, between the River Don and River Ury.
Family-run businesses are part of the town’s story. Stephen Bruce is the fourth generation of his family to run Wm Bruce Shoe Shop, which has been in business for 103 years.
“There’s a great community spirit - the town comes together really well,” Bruce said.
Jack Strachan and Shona Singer are the third generation of their family to run Strachan’s. The business began as a fruit and vegetable cart travelling around villages in 1938, before developing into a deli and coffee shop, newsagent, toy and giftware store.
“If we don’t have to leave Inverurie for something, we don’t,” Singer said, describing how customers support local businesses. She said people often tell the family, “if we can get it from you, we’ll buy it from you”.
Recognition for collective effort
Judy Whyte, the Provost of Aberdeenshire and a lifelong Inverurie resident, said she was proud of the award. She described the town as a market community that had retained its country character while offering what people need in modern life.
Business Minister Tom Arthur said the award recognized the “collective effort” of the community, businesses and organizations in helping unlock the town’s potential. The awards are supported by the Scottish government.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership chief officer Kimberley Guthrie praised the town’s businesses and said its success showed the difference made when people choose to live, work, open businesses and invest in towns.
Inverurie is the third town to receive the title, after Paisley and Oban. Its farmers’ market now runs with 34 stalls in Market Square, according to Yahoo News UK.
