The Scottish Government has been urged to find funding to help cultural events take place in Dundee in the same way it put cash behind a similar strategy in Inverness.
City-based Labour MSP Jenny Marra cited reports saying the area could have benefited from £80 million worth of tourism had it been awarded the UK City of Culture crown that eventually went to Hull as she questioned Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
A meeting has taken place between ministers and the city council, the bid team and representatives from the Dundee Partnership with a view to delivering some tangible results.
In the Scottish Parliament, Ms Marra said: “When the Inverness city of culture bid failed in 2007, the Scottish Government stepped in and committed a substantial amount of money to ensure that some of the events would go ahead.
“Dundee City Council has said that some events will go ahead. Can the cabinet secretary tell me which events will go ahead as a result of her meeting on January 9 and how much money she will commit to make that happen?”
Ms Hyslop: “Clearly, what will go ahead in Dundee is for the council in Dundee with its partners to determine but I can say that I have been absolutely committed to Dundee in terms of its cultural progression and the activities that can take place.
“I have already spoken to our national collections and companies, Creative Scotland and EventScotland, about a series of events to which funding will come from those organisations.
“There are many very good programmes and industries that can still be carried forward.”
Ms Hyslop also listed a number of programmes currently under way in the city which have received public money.
After the exchange, Ms Marra said: “The SNP Government were very keen when Dundee lost the bid to see some of the events go ahead but when I asked them today if they were prepared to commit some cash, it was clear that there was to be no new money coming to Dundee for these events.”