Scotland's Towns Summer Session - A National Commitment to Towns: Setting the Direction for Scotland

This is an STP Member event. Not yet a member? STP membership starts from just £29+VAT and includes free access to our learning series, the national conference on 11 November, tailored funding support and more. Find out more about joining STP here.

As Scotland enters a new Parliamentary term, Scotland’s Towns Partnership invites you to join national and local leaders, practitioners, businesses and communities for the launch of our 2026–27 programme and a renewed conversation on the future of Scotland’s towns.

Rooted in STP’s manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election, this flagship Summer Session will explore what a genuine national commitment to towns looks like in practice — positioning towns not simply as centres of commerce, but as interconnected ecosystems that drive economic growth, community wealth building, sustainability and inclusive local development.

Hosted by Kimberley Guthrie, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, the event will bring together voices from local government, regeneration, community development and policy to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Scotland’s towns in the years ahead.

The session will feature a keynote address from Professor Leigh Sparks, Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, alongside a panel discussion exploring how we move from ambition to action - including overcoming barriers, aligning national policy with local delivery, and redefining the role of towns in Scotland’s future. 

Panellists include:

• Christine Webster, Regeneration and Town Centres Manager, Aberdeenshire Council

• Councillor Susan McGill, Leader of Stirling Council (invited)

• Pauline Smith, Chief Executive, Development Trusts Association Scotland

• Stacey Dingwall, Head of Policy and External Affairs, FSB Scotland

This event will also launch STP’s wider 2026-27 programme, including a four-part event series that will build evidence, share solutions and help shape policy discussions as wrap-around activity to our flagship Scotland’s Towns Conference on 11^th November.

This year’s strategic focus will include:

• Economic Growth & Localism
• Mixed Use Towns & Town Centres
• Sustainable Development & Infrastructure
• Community Wealth Building & Inclusive Growth

Taking place following Love Local Week (13th - 20th June), the Summer Session is an opportunity to connect with others working across Scotland to champion vibrant, resilient and future-focused towns.

Hosted within the historic Tolbooth, itself an important example of heritage-led regeneration and cultural reuse in Stirling’s city centre, the venue reflects many of the themes at the heart of the discussion. Guests can find out more about the Tolbooth’s history here: Tolbooth History

While visiting the Summer Session, attendees may also wish to extend their visit by exploring the Tolbooth Gallery Exhibition, Golden Repair Exhibition, or visiting the viewing balcony which offers spectacular views across Stirling and beyond.

Places are limited and early booking is encouraged. This is an STP Member event. 

Not yet a member? STP membership starts from just £29+VAT and includes free access to our learning series, the national conference on 11 November, tailored funding support and more. Find out more about joining STP here.

Agenda to be announced. 

Privacy

To support networking and help you get the most out of our event, we will provide those coming with a list of the names and organisational affiliation of those attending.

Furthermore, we typically take photographs of proceedings in order to highlight or showcase STP’s activities.

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