We live in the Town of the Year - what makes it so good?

Inverurie has been named Scotland's Town of the Year - in recognition of locals "turning ideas into action".

Judges for the Scotland Loves Local awards - organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership - selected the Aberdeenshire community ahead of Kirkwall, Fort William, Falkirk and East Kilbride, which had also been shortlisted.

The town has bucked the trend of town centre decline, with residents rallying behind local traders, boosting footfall for long-established businesses and newcomers alike.

One local businessman, Stephen Bruce, said: "There's a great community spirit - the town comes together really well."

Last year the title went to Paisley, following in the foosteps of the inaugural winner Oban back in 2024.

Inverurie - about 16 miles (26km) from Aberdeen - sits between the River Don and the River Ury, under the imposing famous hillscape of Bennachie.

Its population grew by almost a fifth to more than 15,000 between 2011 and 2022.

Events aimed at attracting people to the town have included launching the Garioch Pipe Band Championships in Kellands Park last year, bringing an estimated 9,000 visitors.

And the monthly farmers' market has doubled in size since 2024.

Recent analysis recorded retail unit vacancy rates sitting at about only 4%, highlighting its commercial strength.

The town has been twinned with Bagnères-de-Bigorre in France for the last 10 years.

Stephen Bruce is the fourth generation of his family to run Wm Bruce Shoe Shop, which has been in business for 103 years.

"You just try to treat people the way in which you like to be treated yourself," he said.

"We're very fortunate in Inverurie to have different generations of families running businesses. Everyone gets involved.

"This is a great place to stay. It's safe, everyone knows each other, they look out for one another and support each other for the sake of the town. Everyone wants it to be the best it can be."

Brother and sister Jack Strachan and Shona Singer are the third generation of their family to run Strachan's.

It started life as a fruit and veg cart, travelling around villages in 1938.

It then becoming a newsagent, before evolving into the deli and coffee shop, newsagent, toy and giftware store that it is today.

"Inverurie has grown so much," Singer explained.

"People say to us all of the time 'if we can get it from you, we'll buy it from you'.

"That's how we feel about other local businesses too. If we don't have to leave Inverurie for something, we don't."

She added: "A lot of our friends have family businesses too."

The Provost of Aberdeenshire, Judy Whyte, is a lifelong Inverurie resident,

"I couldn't be prouder for Inverurie to be Scotland's Town of the Year," she said.

"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."

She added: "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."

The Scotland Loves Local Awards are supported by the Scottish government.

Business Minister Tom Arthur said the award recognised the "collective effort" of the local community, businesses and organisations in helping "unlock a town's potential".

Scotland's Towns Partnership chief officer Kimberley Guthrie described it as "fantastic" to see Inverurie and its businesses "thriving".

She said: "Aberdeenshire Council are strong ambassadors of the town centre first principle and the success here shows the incredible difference that's made when more people choose to live, work, open businesses and, ultimately, invest in towns.

"This is the time for Inverurie to wear its crown of Town of the Year with huge pride, reinforcing the message that our towns matter.

"Inverurie is an inspiration to others."