Crieff and Pitlochry submit Town of Culture Bids

Council backs both towns

Pitlochry and Crieff will lead Perthshire’s charge for UK Town of Culture, 2028.

Bids by both towns will be developed in conjunction with Perth and Kinross Council for the inaugural nationwide prize, which will see the ultimate winner receive £3m.

Pitlochry Community Action Trust, in tandem with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is co-ordinating the Highland Perthshire town’s effort.

Creative Crieff, which is behind the development of a new Cinema and Visitor Attraction in the town, is piloting the Strathearn capital’s bid.

Development money

Shortlisted pitches from submissions of interest will be granted £60k to develop their full bid, with both Pitlochry and Crieff entering the ‘small town’ category.

The winner will receive £3m, with two runners-up prizes of £250 000 each, to be used to develop the town’s story through its cultural offerings.

Pitlochry Community Action Trust has already canvased local opinion and ideas through a series of gatherings in the town.

A Spokesman said: “We’re very excited about this opportunity to share Pitlochry with the wider world and the potential benefits this award could bring to our town. We believe that, as a town, and as a wider community, we have a great story to tell.”

Strong contenders

Both towns are blessed with a rich history, memorable scenery and wide range of cultural attractions.

Market days in Crieff were once a magnet for Highland cattle drovers, before the town, with its grand Victorian architecture, later became renowned as a place of healing and restoration.

Pitlochry has been a favoured stopping spot for visitors to the Highlands for centuries; its ‘theatre in the hills’ offering something unique for Scotland.

Aberfeldy accolade

The news of the bids comes hot on the heels of Aberfeldy’s recent accolade as ‘one of the best places to live in Scotland, according to the Sunday Times.

Judges said: “This handsome Highland Perthshire market town is within striking distance of just about everywhere in Scotland yet feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.

“For all that, Aberfeldy has an unusually thriving high street and endless opportunities to get involved in everything from delivering prescriptions to maintaining walking paths.”

The art deco Birks Cinema was praised whilst local businesses Fika, Cow and Parrot, the Watermill bookshop, Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters and Grizzly Beards Barber Shop were all name-checked.