The new UK Town of Culture prize will see one town with a population size of fewer than 20,000 people given the title and a funding boost of £3million.
Pitlochry has launched a bid to become the UK’s first-ever Town of Culture(Image: Clare McMicking / CraicN Communications.)
Pitlochry has announced its bid to become the first UK Town of Culture.
A partnership between Pitlochry Community Action Trust (PCAT), Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) and Pitlochry Festival Theatre submitted an application to the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition on behalf of the Highland Perthshire town last month.
The UK Town of Culture is a UK Government Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) competition designed to celebrate, invest in and boost local pride in towns. Based on the idea behind the UK City of Culture it is scaled for towns, with Pitlochry falling under the category for small towns with a population size of less than 20,000 people.
Towns from across the UK were invited to apply to take part in the competition, with the deadline for submissions being the end of March.
More than 230 applications are understood to have been submitted, with a shortlist due to be announced in the spring.
Each town on the shortlist will receive £60,000 to support them with developing and strengthening a full application, which is to be submitted in the autumn.
Following assessment by a judging panel, one overall winner will receive £3 million, while two runners-up will each receive £250,000 for a cultural programme of events and activities taking place throughout 2028.
Judith Dingwall is chair of Pitlochry Community Action Trust, which is leading the application.
She said: “Pitlochry may be small but it is punching above its weight in terms of its cultural and heritage offering, and the potential it has to make even more of its rich culture and history.
“Full of life with a warm welcome and a cosmopolitan feel that’s entwined with Scotland’s national cultural story, Pitlochry and the surrounding area is known for dramatic natural scenery, rich heritage, whisky distilleries, and cultural hubs and events – everything from the Festival Theatre to traditional Highland Games, the innovative Enchanted Forest and the popular Heartland music festival.
“We therefore felt it was imperative that Pitlochry entered the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition – even more so when you consider that 2028 is also the 300th anniversary of the building of General Wade’s road, part of which is now Atholl Road, which brought disparate hamlets together to create the town we now know as Pitlochry.
“The excitement, enthusiasm and engagement within the community around the bid has been lovely to see, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute suggestions and ideas, which have been incorporated into Pitlochry’s application.
“We want to use the opportunity provided by the UK Town of Culture 2028 to explore and celebrate connections, aligning the physical connection of Pitlochry to the wider world with the personal, day-to-day human connections that the many groups and organisations in our community offer.”
Perth and Kinross Provost and local councillor for Highland Perthshire, Xander McDade, added: “Pitlochry is unique: where else can you watch salmon leaping up a fish ladder in spectacular autumnal colours, view an impressive feat of hydro-electric engineering, enjoy a walk along the picturesque River Tummel, and watch a show at the acclaimed Pitlochry Festival Theatre – all within a one-mile radius?
“We believe being the first UK Town of Culture would give us a wonderful opportunity to showcase the unique stories, heritage and creativity that makes our town so special, while at the same time bringing real benefits to the community, particularly in terms of highlighting the importance of prioritising social good, fostering an increased sense of pride in our community – particularly amongst young people – and supporting efforts to help leverage funding to improve local infrastructure and amenities.”
Using existing venues and facilities in the town such as the theatre, the recreation ground, the town hall, the Dam Visitor Centre, Pitlochry Station and others, the programme of activities would encompass a variety of disciplines and genres including drama, music, festivals, storytelling, film-making, public art, exhibitions, crafts, walking tours and trails, and talks, delivered by experienced facilitators.
Dougie Cameron from Pitlochry Festival Theatre, commented: “There’s nowhere that embodies the essence of culture quite like Pitlochry – it’s a place for people from all walks of life and a town with a proud history and a bright future.
“Culture has the power to be a force for good and we believe that Pitlochry is in the perfect position to become an exemplar of this.
“Through a combination of established and new events connecting heritage, landscape, a sense of place, wellbeing and contemporary creativity, we would highlight that culture is a vital, living force in our town – it courses through Pitlochry like the Tummel itself.
“For us, it’s all about sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry.”
For further information on Pitlochry Community Action Trust, see www.pitlochryaction.org.uk
