Inverness - Highland Bid Director for UK City of Culture appointed

15th May 2026

Highly respected cultural leader and strategist Bryan Beattie has been appointed by The Highland Council as Bid Director of the Inverness - Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029.

He was recently creative director for the Inverness Castle Experience and interim Chief Executive at Eden Court, and a former Chair of Fèis Rois and Scottish Youth Theatre.

Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “I congratulate Bryan Beattie on his appointment to direct this once in a generation opportunity to celebrate the strength and diversity of culture across the region and reshape how Inverness and the Highlands are seen, through a year-long programme rooted in contemporary creativity, energy, landscape, language and welcome.”

With over 30 years’ experience as Director of a Black Isle-based cultural consultancy, Bryan was a previous expert adviser to two Ministers of Culture and strategic adviser to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Originally from Dundee, Bryan led that city’s 2013 bid to become UK City of Culture, and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with key partners in the area and nationally to create the Inverness - Highland Bid.

Bryan said: "The UK Capital of Culture designation is transformational for winners and would be a catalyst for investment in culture, community and connectivity across the whole region. We’ll tell a very different kind of Capital of Culture story, one rooted in place and community, in Gaelic and in the land, in the creative energy that already exists here rather than something imported from outside.”

"As Director, my role will be to bring together the ideas and enthusiasm from as many people and organisations as possible, and to build a bid that local communities feel proud of and part of; as well as making the strongest possible case to the judges that the Highlands has the vision, the people, and the stories to make 2029 a landmark year for UK culture."

Inverness-Highland is the first region-wide City of Culture Bid. It will demonstrate how culture thrives beyond urban centres and plays a key role in contributing to long-term resilient, 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 Highlands.

Highland Council bid support

In addition to appointing Mr Beattie as Bid Director, Members of The Highland Council today (Thursday 14 May) agreed that The Highland Council will act as accountable body, with oversight and funding responsibility for the Inverness - Highland UK City of Culture 2029 bid.

A Bid Partnership Board will be formed to provide strategic direction, bringing together senior representatives from the Council alongside voices from the cultural sector, local communities, education, business and other key partners.

The creation of a dedicated bid team for day-to-day delivery, led by the Bid Director and supported by a Council officer group chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive, was also approved.

A cultural assembly of local voices to support bid development will now be convened.

Members also noted the intention to form national reference group of key agencies is formed to help guide the bid.

Next key stages

The next key stages will now progress as bid planning gets underway to establish the engagement and governance arrangements. In early summer a cultural assembly will be held, and work will continue on the bid application throughout June and July with submission of the full bid in August. A shortlist will be announced in Autumn, with the City of Culture announced in late 2026.