Dr Jocelyne Fleming, CIOB’s Scottish policy and public affairs lead, uses the CIOB Column to discuss the purpose of Scotland’s historic buildings and considers how they can be used to tackle challenges facing communities today. 

The Highland Council has agreed to set up a Highland Wealth Fund for the promotion of renewable energy and the delivery of wider support to the region’s community.  Inspired by the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, the new fund will aid strategic, regional, area and local priority projects. 

AECOM has named engineer and ex-British army veteran Andy Thorne as its client director for defence for UK and Europe. 

Balfour Beatty has been awarded a two-year £325 million contract by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to deliver the Netherton Hub in Aberdeenshire. 

In the last two years Tulloch Homes and Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) have delivered over 200 mid-market rent (MMR) homes in the Highlands through an ongoing partnership. 

Forming part of a £8.4 billion investment in Aberdeenshire and Inverness, SSEN Transmission has announced that it plans to create hundreds of jobs in the area, as reported by The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire).

CField Construction has been chosen as the main contractor by Fusion Group to deliver two schemes in London and Glasgow, which will see the development of more than 1,200 PBSA beds and nearly 80 affordable homes before the academic year of 2028.

CField Construction has been chosen as the main contractor by Fusion Group to deliver two schemes in London and Glasgow, which will see the development of more than 1,200 PBSA beds and nearly 80 affordable homes before the academic year of 2028.

Edinburgh’s £162 million new concert hall project has now reached the stage of having its structural base completed, indicating significant progress for the project, as reported by The Scotsman. 

Gleeds, the International property and construction consultancy, has stated that it has been selected as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for the fourth year running, which puts it in 14th place in the top 50 businesses within the Super Large category.

Housebuilder Cruden Homes has gained a NHBC Pride in the Job Award for its Longthorn Gardens development in Shawfair. 

Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation has received sponsorship from Bellway Homes to fund a new incubator for orphaned hoglets.

The c

As school holidays approach, construction companies across the region are being urged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to take additional precautions to keep children safe this summer.

The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has announced a significant restructuring of its membership subscription rates. The move aims to simplify the fee process and provide a level of financial support to construction companies across Scotland.

An additional £100,000 is being invested in Perth and Kinross Council’s Property Flood Resilience Grant Scheme following an overwhelming response from residents and businesses.

A trial is being led by WGM Engineering and the The Fish Friendly Hydropower Company (FFH) in partnership with Scottish Water for a hydropower system, for water and wastewater site use. 

The construction of a community campus, including a new primary school, at Durieshill has been granted planning permission on 23 June 2026.

Quarry material supplier Hillhouse Group is heading for growth in its operations with a new asphalt production facility at its Soutra Mains Quarry site in Midlothian due to open in Autumn this year. 

Detailed planning consent from Glasgow City Council has been given to CXG Glasgow Ltd for phase one of the £250 million Charing Cross Gateway development, indicating progress for work on a major gateway site in Glasgow city centre.

York-based development company S Harrison, has received planning permission for a landmark purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Gillespie Crescent in Edinburgh.

Housebuilder Cruden has reached one of its strongest periods, reaching a development pipeline worth over £1 billion, entry into new markets and ongoing investments. 

At the site of Clackmannanshire Council’s Wellbeing Hub & Lochies School, a new skills academy has opened its doors, in a bid to help the local community learn about construction careers on a practical level. 

Environmental and engineering solutions provider, RSK Group, has been appointed to seven lots on Scotland Excel’s Framework 1025, boosting its capacity to provide integrated technical and environmental services to Scotland’s public sector organisations. 

The Scottish Roofing Awards will return to the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on 30 October with entries now being open, the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) has stated.

The independent property and construction consultancy, Reid Mitchell HD, has been named as a supplier to the Government Commercial Agency’s RM6356 Construction Professional Services 2 framework. 

Major progress has been reached by contractors Wills Bros on the initial phase of the a project to strengthen North Ayrshire’s road network. 

 

A young football team based in Crieff have returned from a Barcelona trip after getting a £500 donation from Persimmon Homes North Scotland.

A funding contribution of £1.25 million is set to go towards a new Offshore Skills Academy in Montrose from the Tay Cities Industrial Investment Programme. 

Longniddry Village

CCG (Scotland) gained three accolades at this year’s Scottish Home Awards on 18 June 2026, including being named as the inaugural winner of ‘Affordable Housebuilder of the Year.”

Engineering and project management services company AtkinsRéalis has carried out refurbishment work of the James Watt South Lecture Theatre for the University of Glasgow.  @glasgow.ac.uk

Aberdeenshire-based housebuilding and construction firm, Bancon Group, has gained two national awards at the Scottish Home Awards on June 18th and the cHeRries Awards, in recognition of its people development across the group and affordable housing. 

Social housing contractor McTaggart Construction has donated £25,000 to the homelessness charity, Simon Community Scotland, which forms part of its charitable giving programme to mark its 80th anniversary. 

Work is now underway in Grangemouth to prepare land for future investment linked to the Forth Green Freeport, in the run up to a report going to Falkirk Council in a meeting on June 25th. 

The Gulf crisis leading to higher fuel and material costs for contractors and suppliers, means that Argyll and Bute Council needs to make contingency plans to cover any additional spending for its annual roads’ reconstruction programme.

A milestone in the work to transform George Square will be marked on 26 June with the completion of work to create a striking new footway and carriageway on the north side of Square.

The ongoing crisis in the Gulf creating increased fuel and material costs for contractors and suppliers, means that Argyll and Bute Council must make contingency plans to meet any additional expenditure for its annual roads’ reconstruction programme.

SSEN Transmission has launched a major new supply chain framework, creating significant opportunities for suppliers across the north of Scotland and beyond, with a strong focus on supporting local businesses and regional economies.

Barratt Redrow plc has announced the appointment of Rebecca Napier as chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director of the group.

Insite Group has been awarded a £15 million contract to transform Cotton House into a flagship aparthotel for the Roomzzz brand.

Architectural practice Smith Scott Mullan will officially transition to employee ownership from today, with owners Graham Acheson, Eugene Mullan and Rick McCluggage transferring their shares to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

North Lanarkshire Council has given planning approval for Eurocentral Gateway, a new industrial and logistics space at Eurocentral in Motherwell.

The Highland Council’s Planning Applications Committee has granted planning approval for for a new hospital in Lochaber. @highland.gov.uk

Energy and infrastructure solutions provider Global has acquired engineering and modular solutions provider Pier Solutions and has launched Global Modular, in a bid to invest in modular capability. 

Aecom has appointed Chris Auener as its new nuclear sector lead, who is joining its energy division for its Europe and India region.

A scaffolding project for roof renovation works at Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s B-listed Walton Building at has been completed by JR Scaffold Services. 

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HIE at Global Offshore Wind 2026, marking a shared commitment to strengthen the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.

Work will get underway later this year on essential upgrades to control infrastructure at ferry linkspans in the North Isles.