Efforts to regenerate nine towns in the south of Scotland have taken a significant step forward with the publication of detailed proposals developed by volunteer‑led town teams, as part of a £20 million Scottish Government investment.
The proposals form part of the Borderlands Growth Deal Place Programme, with town teams now refining their plans and preparing business cases ahead of final funding decisions. Around 30 projects across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are expected to receive funding, with completion anticipated by 2031.
The Place Programme focuses on community‑led regeneration, enabling local people to shape projects that reflect their town’s priorities, from housing and high streets to culture, wellbeing and tourism.
Proposals under consideration range from new promenades and family attractions to social housing, arts hubs, heritage restoration and sustainable travel infrastructure, aimed at strengthening town centres and local economies.
Published proposals include a wide range of ambitious town‑specific projects:
- Stranraer: Plans include a new promenade at the East Pier, a wellbeing hub at Dick’s Hill, an outdoor nursery to support parents into work, indoor family attractions in the town centre, shopfront improvements and a town centre living project.
- Hawick: Proposals focus on transforming the former Old Wilton Primary School into an arts and creative hub, creating a new community events centre at the historic Mair site, delivering outdoor learning and health programmes, and introducing improved town signage.
- Galashiels: A vacant town centre building could be redeveloped to provide space for three shops and up to 17 affordable homes, alongside improvements to MacArts, a music and arts venue in a former church. Additional proposals include multi‑use trails and expanding a bike hire hub to include overnight accommodation.
- Jedburgh: Possible projects include a community hub in the former VisitScotland centre, regeneration of the town hall, and the reopening of the Laidlaw Memorial Pool, which closed in 2024.
- Kirkconnel and Kelloholm: Plans include five supported homes to help older residents live independently, along with new small business units.
- Eyemouth: Proposals cover improvements to the destination play park, enhancements to the beachfront and Bantry promenade, and the restoration of historic buildings across the town.
Work is continuing to finalise projects in Whithorn, Gretna, and Wigtown & Bladnoch, with local teams developing proposals focused on town centre revitalisation, housing, transport connections and celebrating local heritage.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes commented:
"These proposals are an important step forward for towns across the south of Scotland. Local volunteers have worked hard to develop these plans and this £20 million investment aims to create hundreds of jobs, attract thousands of visitors and generate tens of millions of pounds for the Borderlands economy.
"Galashiels' revitalisation over the past decade demonstrates the benefits of giving communities the tools and resources to shape their own future. In addition to this, as part of our draft Budget for 2026-27 we have allocated £47 million towards community-led regeneration across Scotland."
The Scottish projects are part of the wider Borderlands Place Programme, which will support around 70 regeneration projects across Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Northumberland.
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