Insight

In 2014, Edinburgh’s controversial new tram system finally opened to the public and the highly scrutinised Edinburgh Tram Inquiry got underway, writes Steven Stewart. By 2023, a second phase of the tramline had been completed and the inquiry by Lord Hardie concluded. In recent months, City of

Charles Hargreaves, deputy director compliance – heat networks at Ofgem, highlights what it takes to prepare for compliance when the regulation of heat networks begins this month.

As he steps up to the role of chief executive officer at Cruden, Fraser Lynes outlines the potential impact the business can deliver in 2026 following its recent investment from BGF. Scotland stands at a pivotal moment in its housing journey. The need for high-quality, energy-efficient homes has nev

Thomas & Adamson director John McGuire argues that while recent policy shifts have dented confidence in the build‑to‑rent sector, Scotland now has a crucial window to reset the market. Scotland’s housing market is entering a pivotal phase as the 2025 Housing (Scotland) Bill seeks

2025 has been another busy and often demanding year for Scotland’s built environment sector, writes Jocelyne Fleming, CIOB’s policy lead in Scotland. Throughout discussions this year, the CIOB in Scotland has tried to make one point clear: none of the issues we face sit neatly on their o

Paul Mitchell, operations director at the Scottish Building Federation (SBF), outlines how the current climate of uncertainty is undermining Scotland’s building industry. Construction is the engine room of the Scottish economy, contributing 7.4% of total output whilst directly employing 190,00

Seasoned construction and business transformation leader Steve Petrie talks to SCN editor Kieran Findlay about his career, from an encounter with the British Gas chairman that 'changed his life' to his experience at Harvard University. On his very first day as an apprentice gas engineer at Brit

Managing partner Alan Gilkison outlines why Ryden has entered a new strategic investment partnership with Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) and what this means for the future of Scotland’s property sector. This year marked a turning point for Ryden. We recently entered a strategic investment partner

When searching for your next investment, it might be tempting to snap up a newly renovated property. They’re ready to turn into a buy-to-let and take far less work, making them a solid option for an easy-to-manage portfolio - but not necessarily the best choice for your money.

Fresh from giving evidence on the Scottish Government’s draft Climate Change Plan, CIOB's senior policy & public affairs officer – Scotland, Jocelyne Fleming, advocates for whole-system, whole-home revisions. While giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government,

Jonny Seddon, a partner in MFMac’s Infrastructure & Capital Projects team, shares some insight from the recent Interlaw Global Meeting in Edinburgh, which sparked discussion around how developers and investors are navigating uncertainty in the Scottish real estate market. After years of po

City of Edinburgh Council leader Cllr Jane Meagher believes more affordable homes could be delivered through improved partnership approaches. Scotland's housing crisis isn't just a statistic.

Glasgow-born architect and Strathclyde graduate Paul Mugnaioni, who founded Quality Street Ltd in 1987, effectively pioneered the Build to Rent model in the UK years ahead of the current institutional wave, writes Iain Thompson. When people talk about the rise of Build to Rent (BTR), they usually pi

Scottish Construction Summit programme co-ordinator Paul McDevitt calls for immediate action to secure the future of the Scottish construction sector in the face of a recruitment cliff edge. Scotland’s construction industry is facing one of the most pressing challenges in its modern history &m

Gemma Monaghan, head of R&D tax at Azets, cautions Scottish construction firms to understand new legislation governing 'contracted out' research and development, as HMRC intensifies scrutiny of claims and contractual language. The contracted-out legislation update has been welcomed as a sensible