Rachael Hamilton MSP has welcomed the expression of interest for the Scottish Borders to be part of the latest round of the UK City of Culture 2025 award.
The ‘Borderlands’ local authorities for Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland have lodged an expression of interest altogether.
The competition, delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in collaboration with the devolved administrations, and uses culture as a catalyst for levelling up areas outside London.
It predominantly aims to put culture at the heart of plans to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
The new winner will take on the baton from Coventry and be at the centre of the UK’s cultural spotlight for a year.
Mrs Hamilton has sent a letter of support to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden MP, urging him to carefully consider the 5 local authorities joint bid for the Borderlands.
In her letter, she touched on the importance of cultural heritage across the Borders, including the legacy of Sir Walter Scott and the St Cuthbert’s Way.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“If the Scottish Borders, alongside the other 4 local authorities, won the bid for the next UK City of Culture, it would be a tremendous boost for the area.
“The Borderlands has so much to offer, from Cumbria, Carlisle and Dumfries and Galloway in the west, to the Borders and Northumberland in the east.
“As we all know, the Borders has a wealth of cultural heritage, events and history, which is all a major selling point for achieving the status.
“I have written to the Culture Secretary urging him to consider our bid given the range of opportunities it would bring to our area, in the post-pandemic economic environment.
“This is potentially a very exciting opportunity and I know the Borders would rise to the occasion if we won this bid”.