Fourteen of Scotland’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods are to receive up to £20 million each under a £280 million UK Government regeneration programme aimed at restoring local pride

and expanding economic opportunity.

The funding, part of the Pride in Place Programme, will be distributed over the next decade across 14 neighbourhoods in 12 local authority areas. Ministers say the long-term investment will target communities with the highest levels of deprivation and the weakest social infrastructure.

The neighbourhoods were selected following evidence submissions from local authorities, MPs, MSPs, the Scottish Government and community organisations. The UK Government said the process was designed to ensure funding was directed at areas with the greatest need and strongest case for regeneration.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government is backing 14 of Scotland’s most in need communities with £280 million investment - part of a £2 billion package to uphold pride in communities and create opportunities the length and breadth of the nation. 

Over decades of decline, people have watched as their neighbourhoods have lost services and support, so now we are putting the power into the hands of local people who can decide how the money is spent. We’re investing directly in Scottish communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods”.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said: “People across Scotland have been shut out from their own futures and felt powerless to make the changes they want to see in their communities. Pride in Place is fixing that and putting power back where it belongs - in the hands of the people who have the knowledge, ambition and vision to make a real difference.

We’re backing 14 neighbourhoods across Scotland with up to £20 million each, to put local people back in the driving seat to revitalise their communities and shape their futures”.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the investment marked a shift towards community-led renewal.

“Over decades of decline, people have watched as their neighbourhoods have lost services and support,” he said. “Now we are putting the power into the hands of local people who can decide how the money is spent. We’re investing directly in Scottish communities to build stronger, thriving neighbourhoods.”

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said the programme was intended to give residents greater control over their future.

“People across Scotland have felt shut out and powerless to make the changes they want to see,” he said. “Pride in Place is putting power back where it belongs – in the hands of local people with the ambition and vision to make a real difference.”

Each neighbourhood will establish a Neighbourhood Board made up of local representatives, with responsibility for deciding how the funding is used. The boards will be chaired by an independent community member and must demonstrate they have the backing of local residents before receiving their full allocation. Funding is expected to begin from April 2026.

Projects supported by the programme could include high street and town centre regeneration, housing delivery, heritage preservation, job creation, skills and productivity initiatives, transport links, health and wellbeing improvements, and measures to improve safety and security.

Neighbourhoods selected for Pride in Place funding

Aberdeen City: North Locality Priority Neighbourhood – including Cummings Park, Heathryfold, Middlefield, Northfield and Mastrick

City of Edinburgh: Bingham, Magdalene, The Christians and Niddrie

Falkirk: The Forgotten Villages, Braes Villages and Hallglen

Fife (two areas):

 - West Fife Villages – Oakley, Comrie, Blairhall, Valleyfield, Culross, Torryburn, Kincardine, Saline and Gowkhall

 - Methil and Buckhaven

- Glasgow (two areas): Springburn and Sighthill; and Castlemilk

 - Highland: North, West and East Sutherland

- North Ayrshire: Three Towns – Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston

 - North Lanarkshire: Forgewood, North Motherwell and Motherwell town centre

- South Ayrshire: Northern Ayr and Town Centre Regeneration Corridor

- South Lanarkshire: Hamilton town centre

- Na h-Eileanan Siar: Stornoway and Lewis

- West Lothian: Fauldhouse, Whitburn and Blackburn

The £280 million programme forms part of a wider £2 billion package of UK Government investment in Scottish communities over the next 10 years. This includes funding for city region and growth deals, freeports, innovation projects, community regeneration partnerships and the completion of Levelling Up Fund schemes.

Alongside the neighbourhood allocations, a further £12 million Pride in Place Impact Fund will be shared between eight local authorities to support early, visible improvements such as green spaces, play areas, sports facilities and town centre upgrades. Councils including Glasgow, Dundee, Falkirk and North Ayrshire will each receive £1.5 million to spend over two years from 2025/26, with ministers urging rapid delivery so residents see change by early 2026.

The announcement builds on Pride in Place Phase One, which allocated £200 million to 10 Scottish towns earlier this year, including Elgin, Peterhead and Kilmarnock. In Elgin, more than 1,000 public ideas have already been submitted, while Peterhead has begun investing in CCTV and indoor sports facilities to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve local amenities.

Ministers said community involvement would remain central to the programme, with residents encouraged to take part in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods as the new boards are established.