Kirkcaldy will host this year's Scotland's Towns Conference, with Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) staging its annual event at The Adam Smith Theatre on 11 November, in association with Fife Council.

Billed as the largest gathering of its kind in Scotland, the conference draws senior figures from policy, regeneration and investment, alongside local businesses and community organisations from across the country.

This year's programme will aim to advance a national shared ambition for a new future for Scotland's towns—linking policy, investment, local leadership and innovation to support thriving town centres and resilient communities.

Broadcaster Rona Dougall will host. Speakers will include the Scottish Government's Minister for Business and Fair Work, Tom Arthur, and Councillor David Ross, Leader of Fife Council.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: "We're delighted to be bringing the Scotland's Towns Conference back to Kirkcaldy and The Adam Smith Theatre.

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"There are people and projects across Fife whose work to improve their places can inspire other Scottish communities, not least through the community wealth building agenda which is opening exciting opportunities to grow stronger, more sustainable, local economies.

"The conference will showcase how building stronger, more sustainable, thriving town centres and places can help meet critical national priorities including not only economic growth, but tackling child poverty and the climate emergency."

Topics for discussion are set to include the role of localism; creating town centres where people live, work and visit; sustainable development and infrastructure; inclusive growth; and funding—drawing on local, national and international innovations.

Councillor Ross said: "Town centres across Scotland are facing real challenges, from changing retail patterns to the wider pressures on local economies, but there are also huge opportunities to rethink what our town centres can be.

"Bringing Scotland's Towns Conference to Kirkcaldy is a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, attract investment and highlight the importance of strong local leadership in shaping vibrant, resilient communities.

"In Kirkcaldy, we're already seeing that ambition in action through ongoing regeneration work, investment and efforts to make the town centre a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

"Hosting this conference will allow us to showcase the progress being made in our town centres while learning from others and building partnerships that will help drive our towns forward."

The venue and focus were confirmed at STP's Summer Session in Stirling on Wednesday, which convened regeneration stakeholders to set the scene for further discussions on achieving Scotland's shared ambition for towns.

STP is the parent organisation of Scotland's Improvement Districts and Scotland Loves Local, and leads the Understanding Scottish Places platform.