A Creative Approach to Revitalising Lochside
Dumfries
LIFT D&G are delivering a creative placemaking approach from a community Art Cabin, providing opportunities that allow people to fulfil their potential.
2025 marks 27 years of the SURF Awards programme, which celebrates best practice examples of community regeneration projects.
2025 SURF Awards Timeline
2025 marks 27 years of the SURF Awards, showcasing and sharing best practice, and promoting learning from ‘what works’ in regenerating Scotland’s places. Each year the SURF Awards has celebrated some of the most impressive outcomes in tackling physical, social and economic decline in communities throughout the country.
This publication profiles the 15 projects shortlisted in the 2025 SURF Awards. Projects range in scale, activity and geography, from smaller scale community activity in Udny, to arts and wellbeing programmes in Dumfries, and larger scale investments in Ardrossan. We hope all 15 will inspire those working in regeneration projects throughout Scotland, and provide opportunities for learning.
2025 SURF Award Winners
Housing and Regeneration
The Standard, Midsteeple Quarter
Dumfries
The Standard, Midsteeple Quarter (Dumfries). The development has delivered strategic town centre regeneration via community asset ownership. The housing element consists of seven apartments for mid-market rent.
Removing Barriers to Employability
What I Need In Life (WIN)
South Lanarkshire
Delivered by Routes to Work South, WIN offers an alternative employability pathway, with access to a broad spectrum of support delivered by an established network of partners.
Community Led Regeneration
Scottish Men's Sheds
National
Men’s Sheds transform disused and underutilised buildings into vibrant community hubs where men can come together to connect, and share skills and knowledge.
Improving Scotland's Places
Ardrossan South Beach Community Space
North Ayrshire
Ardrossan Community Development Trust, a crucial community anchor organisation, have been supporting the transformation of the area, including the development of the HUB on the Prom, a key community asset allowing for a range of services to be delivered for the community and visitors alike.
2025 SURF Awards Shortlist
Housing and Regeneration
The Y Centre
Perth
The Standard, Midsteeple Quarter
Dumfries
Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith
Midlothian
Removing Barriers to Employability
MacMillan Skills Hub
Edinburgh
Fife Gingerbread: Family Approach
Fife
What I Need In Life (WIN)
South Lanarkshire
Creative Regeneration
Alloway Railway Tunnel
South Ayrshire
A Creative Approach to Revitalising Lochside
Dumfries
Galoshans Festival
Inverclyde
Community Led Regeneration
Number 30 The Square
Huntly
Scottish Men's Sheds
National
The Medan Centre
Udny
Improving Scotland's Places
Two Towns Big Ideas – Banff & Macduff
Aberdeenshire
Kenmore District Revitalisation
Perth and Kinross
Ardrossan South Beach Community Space
North Ayrshire
The Y Centre
Perth
The Standard, Midsteeple Quarter
Dumfries
Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith
Midlothian
MacMillan Skills Hub
Edinburgh
Fife Gingerbread: Family Approach
Fife
What I Need In Life (WIN)
South Lanarkshire
Alloway Railway Tunnel
South Ayrshire
A Creative Approach to Revitalising Lochside
Dumfries
Galoshans Festival
Inverclyde
Number 30 The Square
Huntly
Scottish Men's Sheds
National
The Medan Centre
Udny
Two Towns Big Ideas – Banff & Macduff
Aberdeenshire
Kenmore District Revitalisation
Perth and Kinross
Ardrossan South Beach Community Space
North Ayrshire
2025 SURF Awards Dinner
The 2025 SURF Awards Presentation Dinner will be held on the 4th December at the Voco Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
Places are £80 (plus VAT) or £720 (plus VAT) for a table of 10. This includes a welcome reception and 3 course meal (including wine on the table).
The Awards will be presented by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and this year’s After Dinner Speaker is Actor and Writer Mark Hannah.
You can download an event agenda and booking form below.
Contact emma@surf.scot for any enquiries.
SURF Award Launch Event
A recording of the 2025 Launch Event with information on the Awards can be found here