Inverurie, home of our Inverurie office, has been named Scotland’s Town of the Year 2026.
The title was announced on 23 October at the Scotland Loves Local Awards, run by Scotland’s Towns Partnership with support from the Scottish Government.
Inverurie beat East Kilbride, Falkirk, Fort William and Kirkwall to the award, presented by TV presenter and Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty. Alister from our Inverurie team was there to see it, and we couldn’t be prouder of the town we call home.
Why Inverurie won
Judges praised a community-led effort, with businesses, volunteers, residents and the council all working together. Inverurie follows Paisley in 2025 and Oban in 2024 as Scotland’s Town of the Year.
The results speak for themselves. Only about 4% of shopfronts sit empty, one of the lowest rates in Scotland. Town centre footfall rose by around 10% in the year to January.
Events keep people coming back. The Garioch Pipe Band Championships drew about 9,000 visitors, the Christmas lights switch-on around 8,000 and Taste of Garioch more than 5,000. The farmers’ market has doubled in size since 2024 and now fills Market Square with 34 stalls.
There was a personal win too. Derek Ritchie, manager of We Are Inverurie BID, was named High Street Hero for North East Scotland.
The businesses behind the title
For a town of around 16,000 people, Inverurie has a high street many bigger places would envy. Some of its businesses have served the town for generations.
Wm Bruce Shoe Shop has been trading for 103 years. Strachan’s started out in 1938 as a fruit and veg cart. Alongside them, newer independents give people fresh reasons to visit and keep shopfronts full.
These firms have lasted by staying close to their customers. That loyalty runs both ways: local people keep choosing to shop in town, and the town keeps giving them reasons to.
A busy high street matters to every business owner in the area, not just the shops. More footfall means more trade, more jobs and more confidence to invest. When local businesses back each other, the whole of Garioch benefits.
Our northernmost office, right at the heart of it
Our office at Thainstone Business Centre is the furthest north in the Nuvo group. But furthest north doesn’t mean out of reach. Local clients get the same people, systems and support as every Nuvo office.
Whether you need help with your year-end accounts or advice on taking on your first employee, you’ll speak to people who know the area.
Our team lives and works in the Garioch area, so we know the town, its businesses and the challenges owners face. Many of the businesses celebrating this award are our neighbours.
As accountants in Inverurie, we see the work behind a thriving high street every day. Low empty shop rates and growing footfall come from owners who run sound businesses. We help them do that with bookkeeping, payroll, tax, accounts and growth advice.
Here to stay in Garioch
Congratulations to everyone who made this happen: the businesses, volunteers, residents and council of Inverurie. We’re proud to be part of the town and to work with the businesses that earned this title. Here’s to another year of a busy Market Square and a thriving high street.
Our door at Thainstone is always open to local business owners who want a team on their doorstep.
Run a business in Inverurie or the Garioch area?
Talk to our accountants in Inverurie on 01467 647390.
Nuvo Scotland, Office 2 & 3, Thainstone Business Centre, Thainstone, Inverurie, AB51 5TB
