Cultural artists and creators from across the Highlands have gathered at Strathpeffer Pavilion to share their ideas and ambitions for the Inverness-Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029.
The bid, which is being taken forward under the name Beò 2029 - the Gaelic word for living - brought together around 80 creative practitioners from across the region for a cultural conversation exploring what culture means in the Highlands, what stories the region wants to tell, and the legacy for the future.
Participants discussed the strength of the Highlands’ cultural sector, the opportunities and challenges it faces, and how a successful bid could benefit communities and showcase the region on a national and international stage.
The insights gathered at the cultural conversation will help shape the bid proposal, which will be submitted in August.
Bryan Beattie, Beò 2029 bid director, said: “Today’s conversation demonstrated the incredible passion, creativity, and ambition that exists across the Highlands. The ideas, experiences and perspectives shared by these cultural creators will play a vital role in shaping a bid that is modern, authentic and truly reflects the creative energy that exists across the Highlands. I want to personally thank everyone who took the time to join us. This was just the beginning of the conversation, and the bid team will continue to work with artists, communities, and cultural organisations across the region as the bid develops.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner, said: “The Highlands is often underestimated but there is a rich and vibrant culture woven through our communities. It’s not something that is manufactured - it’s a real living culture found across our villages, towns and city every day. The bid is about celebrating our way of life, redefining what people think of when they think of the Highlands, and showcasing the unique character, creativity and welcome that defines our region. No Scottish city or region has ever held this title before and we want to change that, but we will only succeed if the voices of our artistic and creative communities are heard.”
The cultural conversation marks the first steps towards the creation of a Highland Cultural Assembly, which will meet after the summer. Bringing together representatives from different cultural disciplines and geographic areas, the Assembly will play a key role in supporting the ambitions of the cultural sector.
Inverness-Highland is the only Scottish entry to be longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 and the first bid to represent a region.
The bid aims to demonstrate how culture thrives beyond cities and plays a key role in shaping resilient and sustainable rural and island communities. The bid will act as a catalyst to reset and strengthen the region’s cultural strategy, unlock new partnerships, public and private investments, and support long-term social, economic and place-based benefits for communities across the region.
The name Beò 2029 was chosen to reflect the Highlands as a place of living culture - dynamic, welcoming and contemporary, while rooted in the region's rich Gaelic heritage and traditions.
