One of Scotland’s most senior ministers has pledged to fight for a Scottish City of Culture, following a tour of Perth.
Lord Andrew Dunlop visited the Fair City to discuss its recently launched campaign for the prestigious 2021 title.
He praised work being done to strengthen Perth’s bid and said it was a strong contender in the nationwide contest.
But the senior Tory stopped short of giving Perth his full backing, saying he would also be supporting Paisley, which launched its rival City of Culture campaign in November.
Lord Dunlop said: “I think Perth has some amazing cultural assets and I think what this bid will do is really focus attention on how we can build and develop those assets.
“So the very fact of bidding will have a positive effect in itself.”
He said: “What I hope, and what I will be arguing very strongly for, is a Scottish winner.
“We have two very strong bids here in Scotland and I just desperately want our country to win this one.
“I can’t take sides, but I am very proud that Scotland will be putting two very strong bids together.”
He added: “The bid encourages you to think about how we can make even more of these fantastic cultural assets.
“The history of Perth is indelibly entwined with Scotland’s history. I have been going around Scotland, visiting lots of communities, and what we are looking at is how we can put together that package of attractions that really make people come to a place and dwell there, experiencing the full richness of the area. This bid in Perth will encourage that.”
Perth launched its campaign on Friday with a colourful explosion of live music and entertainment in the city centre.
The fun continued with celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of the Treaty of Perth on Sunday, including a visit from Edinburgh Tattoo performers and a medieval fun day.
The event attracted more than 16,000 people into the city centre, a Perth and Kinross Council study has revealed.
Officials also say city centre footfall has gone up by 7.1% this year, beating the national average increase.
During his visit, Lord Dunlop met with council officials and was shown a short video of the launch party.
He toured sites including the vacant city hall, which Perth and Kinross Council now hopes to turn into a cultural attraction housing the Stone of Destiny.
And he added his mark to a huge mural which has been installed outside St John’s Kirk.
The council will formally submit its bid for City of Culture status early next year and a shortlist will be announced soon after. The winner will revealed at a ceremony in Hull towards the end of 2017.
