Falkirk Council project shortlisted for national regeneration award
A project that transformed a long-standing derelict site at the entrance to Slamannan and improved the heart of the village has been shortlisted for a prestigious national regeneration award.
Falkirk Council's £500,000 Slamannan Regeneration Project is one of just three projects shortlisted in the Improving Scotland's Places category at the 2026 SURF Awards.
Run by SURF, Scotland's Regeneration Forum, in partnership with the Scottish Government, the awards have been recognising best practice in community regeneration across Scotland since 1998.
This year, an independent panel of 20 judges selected 15 projects across five categories, with just three making the shortlist in each.
From derelict site to pocket park
At the centre of the Slamannan project was the former Royal Hotel, which had lain derelict for more than 20 years before being demolished in 2024. The site has since been transformed into a new pocket park, with wildlife-friendly planting, seating and interpretation panels.
The project also brought improvements to Slamannan Cross, including new paving, trees, seating and planting. The village's historic clock was restored and two bronze lion's head plaques reinstated, while a new power supply was installed to support community events and temporary retail.
The former Royal Hotel was acquired by the Council in early 2024 through the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme, administered by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer. Slamannan was the first local authority project in Scotland to benefit from the pilot scheme, with the Council purchasing the building for £1, plus external costs.
Shaped by the local community
The work was shaped through consultation with the local community and was the first project to be delivered through the Council's £3m Regeneration Fund.
Councillor Paul Garner, Acting Leader of Falkirk Council, said:
To see a project in Slamannan shortlisted alongside regeneration work from across Scotland is a real achievement and recognition of the difference this investment has made.
“For more than 20 years, the former Royal Hotel was a source of frustration for local people. We now have a welcoming space at the entrance to the village, alongside improvements to Slamannan Cross that have restored important features and improved the heart of the village.
“Local people helped shape the project from the start, so this recognition is also testament to everyone who contributed their ideas and helped us get to this point."
Blooming marvellous work
Since the park opened earlier this year, members of Slamannan Library Garden Club, who were instrumental in helping to plant two raised borders in the park, have continued to care for those borders.
Lauren Weiss, who led the groupβs planting of the park, said:
It’s been lovely to see the pocket park become established and enjoyed by the local community.
“As well as continuing to look after our borders, we’ve been planting elsewhere in the village. For example, we’ve helped our friends at Limerigg Community Hall by adding wildlife-friendly perennials to their borders. In addition, we’ve installed new planters across the village, and moved some of the original plants from our borders in the park to these new spaces. We’re delighted that some of the bug houses that we made with local nursery school children are now in the park, too.
“For us, it’s about making sure the work grows beyond the original project. By looking after the borders, creating new planting areas across the village, and in our wider community work, we can see a real sense of pride and ownership growing. We’re sowing - and growing - not only plants but community spirit, which is so exciting!
What happens next
Slamannan is shortlisted alongside Pigeon Park in Glasgow and Number 30 The Square in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in the Improving Scotland's Places category.
The SURF judging panel visited Slamannan on Tuesday 6 October 2026 see the project first-hand and find out more about its impact before deciding the category winner.
The winners will be announced at the 2026 SURF Awards Presentation Dinner at the Voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday 10 December 2026.