Opinion

Robert Bennett, head of sales and marketing for bathroom and kitchen surfaces supplier Rearo, argues that public and private sector tendering processes are now governed as much by social and ethical considerations as by financial and commercial, and that this applies across a company's entire supply

As 2026 continues, the Glasgow office market offers a clear and compelling narrative: demand remains healthy, but it is increasingly selective, Sarah Hagen writes. For occupiers, investors and landlords alike, 2025 was a year defined by the flight to quality, tightening supply and the gradual but me

Laura Fraser, project manager of the Skills Transition Centre at Forth Valley College, outlines the changing nature of teaching and learning in the construction sector. Here at Forth Valley College, we are transforming the way students learn construction trades through our new Skills Transition Cent

One year on from the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 coming into force, Hamish Paterson – director and head of building surveying at Thomas & Adamson – reflects on the lessons learned during the first year of Scotland’s national cladding programme and the nex

Nicola Woodward, senior director and head of the Edinburgh office at Lichfields, examines how current housing policy in Scotland, and the growing number of out-of-date local development plans, are affecting housing delivery. Scotland has been in a declared housing emergency since May 2024, yet the d

In an exclusive for Scottish Construction Now, Scott Brewster, managing director of sustainable resource management company Brewster Brothers, argues that the forthcoming Scottish Aggregates Tax can be used alongside other fiscal levers and environmental policies in order to boost sustainability and

John Forster, founder & chair of Forster Group, shares how renewable energy sources, like solar, will be key to helping construction sustainably scale up operations to meet current needs. As we enter 2026, the construction sector stands at the centre of the UK’s most urgent social and econ

The Supreme Court just reminded contractors everywhere to check their contracts before ripping them up, says Liam McKay. We’re all familiar with the saying that “two wrongs don’t make a right,” and this month that wise adage came through in a ruling from the Supreme Court tha

Zander Muego, director of Thomas & Adamson – part of Egis Group, shares his expert insights on the key trends likely to shape the construction sector in 2026. The construction sector has entered 2026 with a heightened sense of caution. Growth in the UK construction market is projected to r

AI is shifting construction from reactive problem‑solving to predictive accountability, forcing the industry to rethink risk, responsibility and contractual duties as data‑driven foresight becomes impossible to ignore, argues Mark Macaulay. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping how c

Everyone is talking about it – but is AI really having an impact on how business is done in real estate? Scott Ritchie takes a look. I recently took part in a round table of developers, operators, funders, and industry bodies to discuss whether its effects were being felt in Scotland and the r

Patrick Munro and Jacqueline Cook take a look at changes to the planning and compulsory purchase regimes in Scotland that are on the horizon in 2026, highlighting the key issues for developers, funders, decision-makers and interested parties below as Scottish planning reforms continue apace. There a

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