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Scotland and Dons legends Willie Miller and Alex McLeish have roared it out, loud and proud – let’s Paint The Town Tartan!
And all of Aberdeen Inspired couldn’t be more delighted than to have this iconic duo on board for our campaign to have the heart of the Granite City become a vibrant sea of tartan and messages of support as the Scotland squad head for their first World Cup in almost 30 years.
As Willie also said, we know from the brilliant success of the Tall Ships Races, just how Aberdeen can be totally transformed when the enthusiasm and passion of the people of the city can be harnessed and channelled.
So it would be wonderful to see that level of exuberance in play to let Steve Clarke and his men know the whole city is behind them every kick of the way as they go for World Cup glory.
And let’s not forget that the All In Red drive ahead of the Dons Scottish Cup final last year saw them come home with the trophy. Who knows what Paint The Town Tartan might lead to? Well, we can but dream.
But it’s not just about giving the Scottish team a lift – as important as that is.
It is also about giving our city centre bricks and mortar businesses – shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and other attractions – vital support with increased footfall and business while turning Aberdeen in party central for this momentous event.
It’s been a while – a generation in fact – since we were last able to celebrate Scotland being at the World Cup.
So let’s make this a party to remember for Aberdeen, for the Tartan Army and, hopefully, for the nation.
Let’s Paint The Town Tartan.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image credits - Alamy
Willie Miller urges Aberdeen to Paint The Town Tartan to cheer Scotland on to World Cup glory
Aberdeen is being urged to “Paint The Town Tartan” as excitement builds for Scotland’s return to the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years.
Aberdeen Inspired is inviting shops, restaurants, bars, businesses and other attractions to dress their buildings in a sea of tartan and messages of support for the Scottish squad before they head for the USA next month.
The Business Improvement District’s goal to encourage World Cup fever in the Granite City to spur Scotland has already been backed by business leaders – and by Dons and Scotland legend Willie Miller, who has called Paint The Town Tartan a great initiative.
Read more about how to Paint The Town Tartan here
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Spot The Ball returns to Aberdeen with prizes and gifts galore as the city Paints The Town Tartan
Spot The Ball – the one-time craze where newspaper readers had to use their “skill and judgement” to guess where a missing football was in a match-day action photo – is coming back to Aberdeen.
This trip down memory lane comes courtesy of Aberdeen Inspired’s Paint The Town Tartan campaign to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup. It will see shops, food and drink, and entertainment businesses across the city centre taking part by hiding miniature footballs in their premises to be found by sharp-eyed customers.
And like the original Spot The Ball – a fixture in newspapers across the country from the 1960s to 1990s, played by thousands of people every week – this revived version comes with prizes to be won, such as in-store discounts and giveaways.
Read more about the return of Spot The Ball here
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Scotland and Dons legends Miller and McLeish reunite to encourage the Granite City to Paint The Town Tartan
Dons and Scotland footballing legends Willie Miller and Alex McLeish have teamed up again – this time to urge Aberdeen to Paint The Town Tartan to back the Scottish squad in the World Cup.
One of football’s greatest-ever double acts, Willie and Alex, were delighted to record an exclusive video message, backing Aberdeen Inspired’s campaign to have shops, restaurants, bars and offices dress their venues in tartan bunting and messages of support for Steve Clarke and his men.
Check out their Paint The Town Tartan call to action here
Image credits - Louise Chan, Aberdeen Performing Arts
Scots stand-up sensation revealed as headliner as Aberdeen Comedy Festival announces 2026 programme
The stellar programme for the Aberdeen Comedy Festival was revealed today – including Scots stand-up sensation Connor Burns joining the line-up.
Connor, who sold out Edinburgh Fringe runs, joins Susan Calman and Larry Dean to create a trio of top Scottish comedy talent unveiled for the hugely-popular laughter fest which will run for three weekends from September 19 to October 4.
Much-loved comedians such as Russell Howard, Fred MacAulay, Maisie Adam, Mark Thomas, Craig Hill and Shaparak Khorsandi are already on the bill for the comedy festival, staged by Aberdeen Performing Arts, and supported by Aberdeen Inspired.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Gift Card is the perfect way give an end-of-term thank you to teachers.
The end of term is on its way. And how do you say 'thank you' to the teacher that taught your child each and every day?
You could buy them chocolates, candles or wine. But how about a gift that allows them to choose what they really want I their lives.
Which is why the Aberdeen Gift Card will get an A+ from the teacher you really want to thank. It can be used in more than 300 bricks and mortar businesses in Aberdeen, from restaurants to beauty salons, fashion stores to bars – and even arts venues like His Majesty’s.
If you want to find out how to really make a teacher’s end-of-term day with an Aberdeen Gift Card, visit the Aberdeen Inspired website for more information.
Image credits - HICKS // Brian Tallman
GALLERY: Enjoy the official images of the stunning works from Nuart Aberdeen 2026
Nuart Aberdeen 2026 lives on in more than just the memories of the thousands of people who enjoyed the street art festival last month...
The lasting legacy of the hugely-popular event - staged by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council - is still there to be seen on walls across the city, from jaw-dropping murals to smaller pieces just waiting to be discovered as you walk the city streets.
Nuart Aberdeen has now released official photos of the finished works by the acclaimed artists who took part in Scotland’s national street art festival. Check them out here.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 wins top prize as Scotland’s best large festival
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 has honoured as Scotland’s best large festival in the prestigious Scottish Event Awards.
It won the accolade for a festival with more than 5,000 attendees in a glittering ceremony in the Glasgow Science Centre and also scooped the award for Best Brand Activation alongside Twelve01 Events
The honours have delighted the host partners for the Tall Ships Races last July – Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen.
Image credits - Kris Romanski - STI
Relive the memories of the Tall Ships Races glorious visit to Aberdeen.
Dons and Scotland legend Willie Miller hopes Aberdeen Inspired’s Paint The Town Tartan campaign to support the Scottish World Cup squad could create the same enthusiasm and excitement for the Granite City as the Tall Ships.
Which is all the excuse we need to remind everyone of just how thrilling and vibrant the Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025, truly were.
So here’s a wee video to bring those brilliant memories flooding back.
Image credits - Aberdeen Christmas Village // Codona's
Success of Aberdeen Christmas Village hailed as ‘massive gift to the city’ by Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Christmas Village has been hailed as “massive gift to the city” after a report showed it was a resounding hit with people over the festive period.
More than 87% of visitors surveyed for an independent report rated the event, which ran for six weeks in November and December last year, as either “good” or “excellent”.
And more than 90% of visitors said the event should be repeated in future, while 88% said their perception of Aberdeen was improved by the Christmas Village, on and around Broad Street, staged in a partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Codona’s.
Image credits - NorthBridge
NorthBridge hub offers practical support for workers facing redundancy and uncertainty
NorthBridge has been created to support people navigating employment transitions or exploring self‑employment and business start‑up ideas.
It offers a welcoming, free‑to‑access space where people can access advice, build confidence, connect with the right services and work alongside others in similar situations. Alongside practical support, the hub aims to foster routine, peer connection and renewed motivation through everyday interaction.
It involves partners Aberdeen Cyrenians, Opportunity North East, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Action for Mental Health, OE UK, Energy Transition Zone, ABZ Sorks, Skills Development Scotland, Community Planning Aberdeen, Scottish Enterprise.
The NorthBridge Hub is now officially open at 1 Huntly Street. You can find out more about it at www.weareac.org/northbridge