Ross Martin, of the Centre for Scottish Public Policy, commented in last weekend’s Scotland on Sunday: "Towns are the backbone of the community in Scotland. We shape our towns, but they shape us aswell. They make us who we are. They shape our values and our character."

The feature marks the build-up towards Scotland’s Towns Week, which begins on 5 November and will centre around the Annual Scotland’s Towns Conference on 7 November at Perth Concert Hall.

Mr. Martin, who also leads Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) will today attend the National Review of Town Centres Symposium in Kilmarnock.

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STP are encouraging towns stakeholders to "share the interesting and positive work that is happening in Scotland during 5 – 11 November, be that an event, campaign, publication or project."

The Week, now in its 5th year, is intended to encourage a wide range of promotional activity in Scotland’s towns through providing a meeting point to share ideas and policy innovations.

Mr. Martin commented: "Through the conference and other activities, Scotland's Towns Partnership is bringing together the key players working to design, develop and deliver stronger places at the heart of many of our communities.

"Ranging across the public, private and third sectors, the Partnership engages with government at all levels to help influence the policy context in which our town centres operate through innovation, ideas and commitment", he said.

The event is working in partnership with Business Improvement Districts Scotland, Scottish Government and Architecture & Design Scotland, along with a range of other commercial partners.