Opinion

Clare Paterson writes about the initiatives and efforts undertaken by the Scottish Government and the construction industry to reform the process of construction procurement, discussing recent workshops focused on streamlining procurement, increasing collaboration, and improving outcomes. On average

Peel Ports Clydeport director James McSporran considers the opportunities the energy transition presents to both the construction and logistics sectors in Scotland, and how the two sectors can work more closely together to reap the benefits and to accelerate their own decarbonisation goals. The

Knight Frank Scotland property management associate Lyndsay Clark believes that properties that create social spaces and encourage a sense of community can be a starting point to encourage people back to the office. It is no secret that some employers have struggled to get staff back into the office

Turner & Townsend's Laurice Peverett reveals why a digital-first approach to building performance in construction can help address societal outcomes within Scotland. Net-zero ambitions along with post-pandemic working patterns are prompting owners of commercial real estate across Scotland t

Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal director in the contentious construction team at Morton Fraser, rounds up her three-part series which takes a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies with a look at safeguarding against insolvency. Companies operating

BDP architect and principal Christoph Ackermann explains why our workplace environments must adapt quicker, following a shift in post-pandemic working patterns. With more people embracing hybrid and remote workstyles, footfall has reduced in our cities, towns and offices. But research continues to p

This is the second part of our three-part series which takes a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies, as well as what the industry can do, from a legal point of view, to be best prepared. The series is compiled by Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal director in

Duncan Smith, River Clyde Homes' energy & sustainbility manager, looks at the economic argument for decarbonising our buildings. Over the coming decade, we have to decarbonise heat and make our buildings as efficient as possible to meet our climate change objectives and have any chance of s

Employment law specialist Catriona Aldridge suggests how employers in Scotland’s construction industry could best tackle the issue of ethnicity pay gap reporting. The UK Government’s publication of voluntary guidance for employers on ethnicity pay reporting is a welcome step forward. App

SCN is delighted to introduce a three-part series taking place over the next month that will take a closer look at inflation and other challenges currently facing construction companies as well as what the industry can do to be best prepared. The series is compiled by Julie Scott-Gilroy, legal direc

Caroline Maciver and Lynda Ross from Burness Paull round up the developers that have signed up for the Scottish Safer Buildings Accord and what the commitments entail. Eight large developers have signed letters to Scottish Ministers expressing their support for the Scottish Gover

Gordon Nelson, Scotland director of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), reflects on the past 30 years as the trade federation looks forward to the 30th Anniversary of FMB Scotland. Whilst the FMB was established in 1941 and has had members based in Scotland since the 1970s (at least as far as I

Graduate architect Quita Hynd shares her final year project which considered whether to retrofit the recently demolished 219-245 Blackness Road tenements in Dundee. One module available for final year 5th year Architecture students, entitled Macro Micro, explored ‘deep retrofit&

Following National Grid's announcement of the largest grid overhaul in generations, Forster Group chair John Forster shares his own commentary on the news. Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported strong headwinds in favour of investment in renewable energy technologies across the g

Scott Hogan discusses the recent changes to Scotland's business rates regime, with a focus on the devolution of power to alter empty property relief to local authorities, and the varied impact of these changes on commercial property owners and occupiers across different regions. April brought in a w