Minister visits Galashiels ahead of £20m funding decisions
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited the Scottish Borders as communities across the South of Scotland prepare bids for a share in a £20 million funding pot.
Plans to regenerate towns across the South of Scotland have taken an important step forward.
Volunteer‑led town teams are publishing proposals as part of Scottish Government investment aimed at creating jobs and driving economic growth. Projects under consideration include:
• Hawick – Transformation of the disused old Wilton Primary School into an arts and creative hub; a new centre at the historic Mair site to host community events; and outdoor learning and health programmes alongside a new town signage scheme.
• Galashiels – Redevelopment of a vacant building in the town centre to provide space for three shops and up to 17 affordable homes; improved accessibility and energy efficiency at MacArts, a music and arts venue located in a former church; a network of multi-use trails; and expanding an existing bike hire hub into new premises with overnight accommodation.
• Jedburgh – A potential community hub in the former VisitScotland centre; regeneration of the town hall; and reopening the Laidlaw Memorial Pool, which closed in 2024.
During her visit to Galashiels, the Deputy First Minister highlighted the potential for the investment to create hundreds of jobs, attract thousands of visitors and deliver tens of millions of pounds for the Borderlands economy.
She said: “These proposals are an important step forward for towns in the south of Scotland. Volunteers have worked hard to develop these plans and this £20m 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, in our draft Budget for 2026-27 we have allocated £47m towards community-led regeneration across Scotland.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Deputy First Minister to Galashiels as we showcase the ambition, creativity and commitment of our town teams.
“Across the region, volunteers, local organisations and councils have worked tirelessly to develop proposals that put communities at the heart of regeneration. We’re proud of the progress made so far and of the difference this investment has the potential to make for towns right across the South of Scotland.”
Town teams are now preparing business cases ahead of final funding decisions.
Around 30 projects in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are expected to benefit through the Borderlands Growth Deal’s Place Programme, running until 2031.