Roadmap to the future our nation deserves
The Scotland 2050 conference is an opportunity, writes Barry McKeown
Earlier this month, Shoosmiths (as legal sponsor) proudly hosted the 2026 manifesto launch for the Scotland 2050 conference, 'An ambitious long-term vision for Scotland’. It heralded the countdown to the 2 June event in Edinburgh, that will bring together leading figures in politics and industry to discuss the best means to address current challenges facing the Scottish economy and with the aim of building a more resilient, prosperous future.
Scotland 2050 will shine a spotlight on commercial, legislative and policy issues – and the undoubted opportunities for Scotland to prosper. Themes will include creating a new Scottish industrial and innovation strategy, a revitalised long-term strategy for the NHS and insights to deliver the infrastructure and new homes Scotland needs.
As someone embedded in the UK real estate sector, a key manifesto commitment from my perspective is to ensure proper discourse and engagement on the role of strategic real estate and infrastructure to help shape and futureproof Scotland’s urban and rural landscape.
To achieve a positive step-change in our economy, we must prioritise investment from the private sector and direct foreign investment. Scotland is now well-positioned within the UK and globally to attract more indirect foreign investment to unlock more opportunities in built environments. These include social and affordable housing, traditional private for sale dwellings, Build to Rent and Purpose Build Student Accommodation spaces. Talking up Scotland’s natural and regulatory advantages, and showcasing these investment opportunities are key to delivering Scotland’s much-needed new and improved infrastructure.
Whether a major housebuilding development, later living project or urban mixed use scheme, new sustainable real estate projects can potentially secure additional social investment in new schools and education establishments and create nationwide infrastructure and social environment improvements.
Significantly, Shoosmiths is seeing many such projects being delivered via public and private joint ventures, sophisticated investment vehicles and fund structures. The journey to realise such developments and deals, is delivered jointly by our Scottish real estate and corporate lawyers who consistently bring in-depth sectoral knowledge and a commercial, creative mindset to the table.
With colleagues, I’ll share industry insight at the international MIPIM property and real estate trade show in France next month, but it’s significant that Scotland 2050 is firmly rooted in shaping these shores. For example, considering how public and private sector interests can work to identify funding mechanisms that will incentivise more private investment in the Later Living (care) sector, potentially alleviating the NHS ‘bed blocking’ burden.
Scotland has an acute lack of housing and as recently announced, Scotland’s National Investment Bank will advise on the best means to harness private finance to support an ambitious national building programme. Consequently, housebuilders, developers, planners and investors must all be part of the Scotland 2050 conversation.
The Scottish Government has also recently announced it intends to establish a new national housing agency “with a focus on simplicity, scale and speed to enable the delivery of housing of all types (and) helping to meet housing needs across Scotland”. The More Homes Scotland executive agency will be welcome – subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election!
This latter point underlines that Scotland 2050 is more than an event. It’s a statement of intent. To effectively cement Scotland’s future, we need a roadmap that transcends individual government and party politics. A clear, strategic 20-year+ framework that will deliver the future Scotland needs and deserves.
Barry McKeown is partner and head of Shoosmiths’ Glasgow office