Highland misses out on UK City of Culture 2029 shortlist

Inverness and the Highlands have been unsuccessful in securing a place on the shortlist for the UK City of Culture 2029.

Beò! 2029, which means 'alive' or 'living' in Gaelic, was the sole Scottish contender to make the longlist.

Blackpool, Wrexham, Sheffield and Milton Keyes have made the shortlist, with the winner to be announced early next year.

Other bids not to make the shortlist include Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon.

'The journey does not end here'

Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, outlined his disappointment but highlighted achivements.

He said: “While we are naturally disappointed that Beò! 2029 has not been shortlisted for UK City of Culture, we are immensely proud of what we have achieved through this journey and the new partnerships it has created.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported the bid, and committed their time, energy and ideas.

“Through the bid process, we have established the Creative Highland board to lead, strengthen and support the creative industries sector, which is the third largest employer in Highland.

"We have also brought together more than 100 artists, creative practitioners, arts organisations, and cultural bodies through a permanent Highland Cultural Assembly to help shape a shared vision for the future of arts and culture in the Highlands.

“These are important and lasting achievements that will continue beyond the bid process. The momentum generated through the bid will not be lost and the Council remain committed to supporting and working with the Creative Highland board and Highland Cultural Assembly to develop a long-term arts and culture strategy for the Highlands."

Bryan Beattie, Beò! 2029 Bid Director added: "Of course we are disappointed. But the reason we bid has not gone away.

"The Highlands is a place of living, contemporary culture, and putting our Bid together has shown just how much talent, ambition and appetite there is here.

"The partnerships, ideas and confidence this bid has built are too valuable to lose, and we intend to carry them forward."

The bid team plans to seek further feedback from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and collaborate with the Creative Highland board to determine future steps in the coming weeks.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy explained how the "journey does not end here" for those who didn't make the shortlist.

She said: "Every place has a story worth telling of its own unique history, identity and contribution. It has been amazing to see this year’s bidders for UK City of Culture showcase what makes their community claim such a special place in our national story. Great culture is everywhere, but the opportunity to showcase it, to put it on display and to show how it is woven into our national story is not.

“That is the beauty of the UK City of Culture competition, it is an undiluted celebration of what makes our largest towns and cities so brilliant.

“Congratulations to Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham on making the shortlist. They are proud of their incredible culture, and they are right to be. I wish them the best of luck for the final stage of the competition.

“For all those places that have not made the shortlist, your journey does not end here.

"Their energy, enthusiasm and cultural contribution is seen and valued and the bids you have created will open up opportunities for years to come."