University of Stirling reveals major findings on Scotland’s growing towns

Scotland is home to 30 more towns than it was just over a decade ago, new research from the University of Stirling has revealed.

There are now 509 towns across the country, many of which are growing as well as emerging.

The findings are among tens of thousands of pieces of new data compiled to create the latest version of Understanding Scottish Places (USP), a unique hub sharing insight into the dynamics of Scotland’s towns.

Experts say the research underpins the need to better understand the constant evolution of places in order to improve them and enhance the national economy.

Economy and connectivity drive growth

Analysing the likes of population, employment, house prices, business make-up and public services, the updated USP website reveals:

• A net gain of 30 towns across Scotland (509 places with a population of more than 1,000, compared to 479 in 2014).
• That more than half of people in Scotland (53.8%) live in a town with a population of between 1,000 and 50,000 people.
• The emergence of “new” Scottish towns as well as the growth and reinvention of others, including those within commuting distance of major cities.
• New economic and connectivity developments – including railway links – driving growth.

Critically, USP allows people to compare places – a tool which the team behind it says helps enhance understanding about the similarity of Scotland’s places, emphasising shared characteristics, opportunities and challenges to better inform decisions about their future.

One of its significant strengths is the ease of those comparisons – created through the data – with similar towns identified in the description of each place.

Enhancements to the website include interactive maps, giving immediate visual impressions.

Government support

USP’s update has been supported by the Scottish Government and led by a team from Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the University of Stirling.

It was unveiled as the biggest-ever Scotland’s Towns Conference which took place in Glasgow today (Thursday, 27 November).

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, said: “The Scottish Government is delighted to have helped fund the development and refresh of Understanding Scottish Places.

“As a tool, the information it provides is instrumental in supporting local authorities, businesses, communities and other partners to inform planning and investment decisions to improve Scotland’s places. Everyone working in towns and places in Scotland should ensure they make use of it.”

New and interesting town development

Anne Findlay, a Research Fellow at the University of Stirling, led analysis of the data. She said: “The growth of towns is one of the most important outcomes from the work we’ve done. I certainly didn’t expect that we would see the number increase from 479 to 509 – as well as others growing to become classified as larger and medium-sized towns.

“It’s been exciting to look and see where those places are and to offer a way for people to understand what’s happening with Scotland’s towns in 2025.

“The statistics show that towns are developing in new and interesting ways, but USP also helps people understand how towns relate to each other. That’s important.

“I hope the data will spark a lot of conversations, including how towns could develop in future.”

People and places

Leading towns and retail academic Leigh Sparks is a Professor in Retail Studies at the University of Stirling, Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and authored the influential New Future for Scotland’s Town Centres report for the Scottish Government.

He said: “No town is an island. No town is static either. They are all changing. Understanding how we adapt the services we provide, the way in which we live and work and how all of that fits together is really important. 

“USP is about people and places. If people understand their places, we will have better towns and a better society and economy. That’s where USP has a valuable role to play.

“The data is insightful, both in terms of what it tells us about individual towns and places, but also in understanding how Scotland is changing and how that might affect some decisions in the future.”

For more on the study click here.