hub North Scotland

29/10/2026

Delighted to be one of the main sponsors for this fantastic event. The stories of the finalists made you feel very humble when you heard how they were making a difference for their communities.

The winners of Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2026 have been revealed.

Finalists, councillors, sponsors and guests gathered at Meldrum House Hotel last night to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across Aberdeenshire.

Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte co-hosted this year’s event alongside MC Chris Harvey and said the nominations across the awards had been outstanding.

Participating in the presentations were Co-Leaders councillors Stewart Adams and Anne Stirling, Education and Children’s Services chair Cllr David Keating, Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cllr Alan Turner and Chief Executive Jim Savege.

Provost Whyte said: “Inspiring Aberdeenshire has once again shone a light on the incredible people who make our communities such special places to live, work and thrive.

“Every year, these awards remind us of the kindness, commitment and community spirit that exists across Aberdeenshire. They celebrate people who go above and beyond, not for recognition, but because they genuinely care about making a difference.

“This year’s winners represent the very best of that spirit. Whether they are supporting others, protecting our heritage and culture, or giving their time to help those around them, they have made a lasting impact on their communities.

“Their dedication, generosity and selflessness are truly inspiring. Through their efforts, they have strengthened community life across Aberdeenshire and made a positive difference to countless people.”

Civic Pride Award
Winners: Inverurie Environmental Group based in Inverurie
Finalists: Friends of the Haughs based in Turriff; Invercairn Community Council based in Inverallochy

Heart of Aberdeenshire Caring Award
Winner: Kelly O’Brien from Peterhead
Finalists: Rachel Clark from Ellon; Men in Mind based in Ellon/Inverurie/Haddo/Fraserburgh Yogi & Cindy Bears based in Newtonhill

Inspirational Volunteer Award
Winner: Marie Cheyne from Cairnbulg
Finalists: Helen Feeney from Maud; Rose Logan from Turriff

Local Hero Courage Award
Winner: Avril Bruce from Banff
Finalists: Karen Stewart from Aboyne; Katie Innes from Fetterangus

Young Community Hero Award
Winner: Chloe Crossman from Peterhead
Finalists: Ellie Wight from Drumoak; Steven Lewington from Pitmedden; Portlethen Academy Pupil Volunteers (Elliot, Forbes, Lucy, Olivia & Sam)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Colin Allanach from Ellon
Finalists: David Urquhart from Portsoy; Lorna Keith from Ellon

This year’s Inspiring Aberdeenshire charity partner is A Bear Named Buttony, which supports children and young people living with a stoma by providing comfort, reassurance and practical support. Find out more at: https://www.buttonybear.org.uk/

Without the generous support of our sponsors, none of this could have happened:

• BP - sponsoring Lifetime Achievement Award
• FES OCS - sponsoring Inspirational Volunteer Award
• Hub North Scotland - sponsoring Young Community Hero Award
• Instock - sponsoring Civic Pride Award
• Hosie Electrical - sponsoring Local Hero Courage Award
• Mark Murphy Dole - sponsoring Heart of Aberdeenshire Caring Award

29/10/2026

🏗️ A major milestone for the new Hazlehead Academy Campus!

The steel frame for the main building is now complete, marking another exciting step forward in the construction of Aberdeen’s new £124 million campus.

To celebrate the milestone, Hazlehead Academy’s head teacher and pupils joined representatives from Aberdeen City Council, hub North Scotland and Robertson Construction to sign the steel frame before it is enclosed within the building. ✍️

Scheduled to open in August 2028, the new campus will have capacity for up to 1,600 pupils and will serve the Hazlehead, Countesswells and Kingswells communities.

A fantastic moment as the new campus continues to take shape! 🏫

🔗 Read more: https://orlo.uk/L8M83



hub North Scotland Community Planning Aberdeen

Pictured from left to right: Councillor Lee Fairfull; Councillor Martin Greig; Jim Purdie, Head Teacher at Hazlehead Academy; Ewen Fowlie, Operations Director, hub North Scotland; Councillor Alex McLellan; three pupils from Hazlehead Academy, signing the steel frame; and Kevin Dickson, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Tayside.

28/10/2026

Great to see this major step in a fantastic project we are delivering on behalf of Aberdeen City Council as part of our North Schools Programme.

🏫 Major milestone for St Peter’s RC School

Aberdeen City Council's £29 million investment in St Peter’s RC School has reached an important milestone, with the project’s main works contract achieving financial close.

The development will transform Old Aberdeen House into a modern learning environment, with 14 classrooms, a nurture and sensory room, sports hall, dining hall and more.

Once complete, the new two-stream school will have capacity for up to 434 pupils, with the school expected to operational in early 2028.

Construction will be delivered by Robertson Construction through hub North Scotland’s North Schools Programme.

🔗 Find out more: https://orlo.uk/j6zK6

hub North Scotland Community Planning Aberdeen

27/10/2026

27/10/2026

We’re already looking forward to having this brilliant bunch back after the Tattie Holidays! 🔨🪚
So far, our young people from Kemnay Academy have tackled drystane dyking, lime mortar and pointing, and metal casting – and they have worked incredibly hard.
Every session has asked something different of them. They’ve had to listen, learn, work together, solve problems, get their hands dirty and, most importantly, keep going when something hasn’t been easy.

And they have absolutely risen to it.

After the holidays, it’s time for something completely different again as they move on to traditional joinery skills, taught by the wonderful team from Finzean Bucket Mill.

We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved already. They haven't just had a go at these traditional skills – they have produced real work, learned from skilled craftspeople and shown just how capable they are.

Enjoy the remainder of the Tattie Holidays everyone – we can’t wait to see you back for the next one! 💪



Finzean Bucket Mill CIC Kemnay Academy

Thank you to our supporters:
hub North Scotland
Matt Hills Garden Services
North East Scotland Preservation Trust - NESPT

Score Competitions
Dyce Carriers Ltd
Aurora Comps

27/10/2026

27/10/2026

24/09/2026

Great to see the progress on this school we are delivering for Aberdeen City Council with Robertson Construction as our main contractor.
This project is a key part of our North Schools Programme where we have brought five local authorities together to deliver new learning estate as a single programme of work.

21/09/2026

Multi-million-pound investment plans for Inverness High School are set to go on display for members of the public to view.

Proposals include a new sports block with fitness suite and community room, 3G sports pitch, and dedicated additional support needs base.

Current modular units, a games hall, and a vacant 1970s wing of the building, will also be demolished.

Staff, pupils, parents and members of the local community are invited to view the plans at the school before a planning application is submitted.

➡ Tuesday 6 October, 2pm to 7pm.
➡ Tuesday 17 November, 2pm to 7pm.

The project will be funded through the - a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital investment programme to improve schools, roads and local infrastructure throughout the region. The plan is funded through a combination of borrowing and a 2% ring-fenced allocation of Council Tax revenue.

As part of the Highland Investment Plan, all new school buildings will be designed as Community Points of Delivery (PODs), with the flexibility to accommodate education provision alongside other community facilities, council services and partner organisations, within modern, locally accessible community hubs.

Read more: https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17486/plans-to-go-on-display-for-multi-million-pound-investment-at-inverness-high-school

hub North Scotland Ogilvie Construction

18/09/2026

With our incredible finalists announced for Inspiring Aberdeenshire this is a great time to celebrate our generous sponsors.

Our sponsors this year are bp, FES OCS, hub North Scotland, Instock Group, Hosie Electrical and Mark Murphy part of Dole Foodservice.

Without their generosity and support, we could not run this event, thank you so much to them all!