First Minister Alex Salmond has hailed Dundee’s UK City of Culture 2017 bid as “extra special” during a visit to the city.
Speaking exclusively to the Courier, Mr Salmond reiterated that the Scottish Government and its agencies are “fully behind” the city’s efforts to secure the title.
He said: “Dundee has always had a fantastic cultural imprint but what marks Dundee’s bid in my view is two things.
“One is vision for the future. The new waterfront development and the Victoria & Albert at its heart is a real structural, transformational vision for the city.
“Secondly. the engagement of Dundonians. The bid sets out quite deliberately to say this is a people’s bid.”
Mr Salmond recorded a short message of support for the bid team during a visit to St Mary’s Community Centre.
The message is likely to be included in the city’s final presentation, given to the judging panel in Derry in November.
The city of culture team is putting together a proposed programme of events ahead of the final bid deadline on September 30.
These will include submissions from the public on the WeDundee website about what events they would like to see if the city scoops the title.
An eight-person delegation will visit Ireland in mid-November to put across the final case and the winner is expected to be announced within days of the presentations.
Dundee’s competitors for the title are Leicester, Hull and Swansea Bay.