Nominate your high street heroes

PEOPLE across Dumfries and Galloway are being urged to celebrate their high street heroes. Nominations have opened for the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards — including those for Town of the Year. The accolades recognise and reward the people and organisations who make communities better places to live, work and visit. And the region’s residents are being encouraged to nominate those who they would like to be named as a High Street Hero for the South Scotland region. People can also put their home area forward for the national accolades of Town of the Year and Innovation in Place. Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) the awards are an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages people to help grow stronger communities by supporting the enterprises, organisations and initiatives in them. Dumfries and Galloway has a history of success with the awards, as Moffat artist and entrepreneur Linnhe Cringean won the High Street Hero award in 2024, in recognition of her work to champion and boost business in the community.

Meanwhile, Newton Stewart was named a finalist for town of the year in 2025. Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s chief officer, said: “Remarkable, determined and innovative work is taking place across Dumfries and Galloway which is making communities better places to live, work and visit. The Scotland Loves Local Awards are an opportunity to celebrate all of that. “We are looking forward to hearing more about the places, projects and people who are leading the way with inspirational action which really does make a difference - and having the chance to celebrate their achievements.”