Scottish Cities Week is the Scottish Cities Alliance’s flagship annual events programme, and is designed to help foster long-term strategic partnerships between Scotland’s cities and a diverse array of investors and developers across a variety of priority sectors. The event’s success lays the foundation for collaboration between the cities, the Scottish Government, and the UK Government to build investor confidence. This is achieved through a series of activities that highlight the advantages of investing in Scotland’s cities.
Programme Overview: While the theme for each events programme will be refreshed each year, to reflect city and Scottish government priorities and policies, the overarching structure is the same – a series of individual sessions on salient topics, each led by or organised in partnership with a different partner or stakeholder. These sessions, to date expertly facilitated by Prof. Greg Clark CBE, provide a platform for participants to discuss how the Scottish cities are positioned to capitalise on future opportunities.
Throughout the programme City Leaders showcase their ambitions and visions, as they seek to address societal challenges and drive transformational change across the eight Scottish city economies. By engaging in open dialogue with the private sector, the Scottish Cities Week programme aims to attract investment and forge new partnerships. The collaborative efforts of the cities, along with the Scottish and UK Governments, are crucial in creating investor confidence and promoting the benefits of investing in Scotland.
Key Objectives of Scottish Cities Week:
- Investment Opportunities: Showcase Scotland’s top real estate and infrastructure projects, aiming to attract global investors and highlight the economic potential of Scottish cities
- Sustainable Development: Provide a platform for cities to engage in discussions on sustainable urban development, emphasising projects that align with Scotland’s net-zero goals
- Technological Innovation: A strong emphasis on integrating innovative technologies to enhance urban living and drive economic growth
- Collaborative Growth: Foster collaboration between cities, Scottish and UK governments, promoting policies and initiatives that support inclusive and sustainable growth
Scottish Cities Week has become a must-attend programme for investors, setting the stage for future development and investment in Scotland’s urban centres.
Scottish Cities Week 2026
The 2026 programme showcased how Scottish cities were positioned to contribute to and benefit from the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, delivering our strongest and most successful programme to date. The week focused on four key areas:
- The IS-8 Priorities
- Addressing the eight strategic pillars of industrial growth, the programme demonstrated how Scotland had advanced clean energy industries, data and digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. Sessions highlighted tangible progress across priority sectors and showed how Scottish cities were aligning themselves with national economic transformation.
- Foundational Infrastructure for Growth
- The programme highlighted the foundational infrastructure—transport, energy, housing, and digital connectivity—that had been critical in unlocking economic potential. Discussions explored how Scotland’s cities were strengthening the systems required to support innovation, productivity, and long‑term, sustainable growth.
- Policy Dialogue on Devolution and Inclusion
- Scottish Cities Week 2026 provided a trusted environment for open dialogue on the role of devolved nations and cities in shaping and benefiting from the Industrial Strategy. Participants reflected on how to ensure no place was left behind and how fair access to opportunities could be embedded throughout the strategy.
- Showcasing Scotland’s Strengths
- The programme powerfully showcased Scotland’s competitive advantages in green energy, fintech, health innovation, and the creative industries. Delegates heard how Scotland’s research strengths, skilled workforce, and high quality of life continued to drive investment, innovation, and global recognition.
Key Speakers at the event included:
Ivan McKee MSP – Minister for Public Finance
Kirsty McNeil MP – Parliamentary Under‑Secretary of State for Scotland
Michael Shanks MP – Minister for Energy
Blair McDougall – Parliamentary Under‑Secretary of State for Small Business and Economic Transformation
Tim Newns – Managing Director, Regional Growth, Office for Investment
Iseabail MacTaggart – Deputy Director Scotland, Department for Business and Trade
Lucy Buzzoni – Director, Office for Investment
Kalada Bruce‑Jaja – Director – Industrial Strategy, Department for Business and Trade
For Scottish Cities Week 2026 we were delighted to partner with:
Previous Events
Scottish Cities Week 2025
The third Scottish Cities Week programme took place in London from January 20th to 22nd 2025. This edition brought together leaders from Scotland’s eight cities—Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, and Stirling—along with the Scottish Government Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur MSP.
Key themes of the 2025 programme included: the global transition to net zero, the development of emerging technologies, unlocking infrastructure that supports growth, and aiding high-growth potential businesses.
For Scottish Cities Week 2025 we were delighted to partner with and have the support of:
Scottish Cities Week 2024
Copyright © 2025 Scottish Cities Alliance. All rights reserved.
LHEES, area-wide plans for improving building energy efficiency and decarbonising heat, are crucial for Scotland’s energy transition. These strategies provide a framework for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in buildings by 2045. Cities are implementing LHEES to identify and prioritise areas for energy improvements, ensuring a coordinated approach to decarbonisation.
Efforts to decarbonise urban areas are gaining momentum. Initiatives like the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cities are developing net zero neighbourhoods, focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and green spaces. These neighbourhoods aim to create healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
Scotland’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its infrastructure. The country is a leader in wind energy, with numerous onshore and offshore wind farms. Cities are increasingly integrating renewable energy sources into their grids, supporting Scotland’s ambitious climate targets.
Transport infrastructure in Scotland’s cities is robust and continually improving. Scotland’s road network spans approximately 35,400 miles (56,959 km), with major road networks like the M8 connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh facilitating efficient travel and commerce. Rail connectivity is equally vital, with cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow serving as central hubs in the UK’s national rail network. The Caledonian Sleeper service, the overnight sleeper train service also provides a convenient connection between London and many of Scotland’s cities.
The rise of digital services has increased demand for data centres. Scotland’s cool climate and renewable energy resources make it an attractive location for green data centres. These facilities use energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources to minimise their environmental impact. Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are exploring opportunities to develop such centres, supporting the digital economy while aligning with sustainability goals.
Scotland is making significant strides in digital connectivity. The rollout of 5G and full-fibre broadband is transforming cities into digital hubs. CityFibre’s Gigabit City Investment Programme is a key initiative, aiming to provide full-fibre infrastructure to cities up and down Scotland and the wider UK. This programme supports the Scottish Government’s goal of ensuring superfast broadband access for all premises by 2027. Stirling became the UK’s first completed Gigabit City in 2020.