Planning Aid Scotland’s Chief Executive Cherie Morgan attended a ministerial visit to Heriot-Watt University on 5 November 2026, joining students, university staff and representatives from the planning sector to discuss the future of town planning in Scotland. 

The event, held ahead of World Town Planning Day on 8 November, welcomed Minister for Public Finance Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP and highlighted Heriot-Watt University’s work to widen access to planning careers and address skills shortages across the profession. 

During the visit, our Chief Executive, Cherie Morgan, met planning students and heard what had inspired them to pursue careers in planning, as well as areas they were most looking forward to working in. 

Reflecting on the visit, Cherie said:  

“It was a pleasure to meet future planners at Heriot-Watt University and hear what attracted them to the profession, as well as what they are most looking forward to being involved in. It was encouraging to see their enthusiasm.”

The Minister also spoke about the importance of the planning profession and its role in shaping Scotland’s communities: 

“There is nothing more important than the places we call home and the places and spaces that we spend most of our time in.

Our planners have a hugely important role in shaping and creating how Scotland looks and how our places and homes feel.”

Opening new opportunities in planning 

The visit showcased Heriot-Watt University’s efforts to create more routes into the profession. These include a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, which allows individuals to combine work and study, specialist learning opportunities in Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, and student placements with the Planning Improvement Service. 

The Minister also met with recipients of the Scottish Government’s Future Planners Bursary, which supports students pursuing careers in planning. 

Read more about the visit on Heriot-Watt University’s website