The Secretary of State for Scotland has hailed Dundee’s UK City of Culture 2017 bid as a “very serious proposition.”
Michael Moore praised the “excitement and real determination” of the team behind the push for the title on a visit to the city on Tuesday.
Mr Moore also met a number of local games developers who he said were putting Dundee on the international map.
The minister met around a dozen members of the bid team at the city’s contemporary arts centre, where he was briefed on Dundee’s progress as a shortlisted competitor.
Mr Moore said: “I don’t think anyone could look at this and say it is anything less than a very serious proposition.
“The excitement and real determination amongst the very different members of the bid team shows that this is a city putting every effort behind the bid.
“The very fact that it is into this last round shows that.”
Mr Moore was told at the meeting that the bid had “galvanised the city”.
Earlier in the day Mr Moore addressed business leaders at the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce on next year’s independence referendum, saying that he was relishing a “damn good rammy” in the lead-up debates.
For full coverage of Mr Moore’s visit, see Wednesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.