Scottish cities in the running for culture prize

BOOKIES are tipping Scotland to land the title of UK City of Culture for 2021.

Entries for the money-spinning Government competition closed on Friday with 11 bids on the table.

And McBookie. com are already making Perth 11/4 second favourite and Paisley next best at 7/1 to scoop the prize, with both behind Coventry.

The winner will get a £3 million injection of Lottery funding but also rake in investment and major events worth millions more.

McBookie spokesman Paul Petrie said: “There’s a great chance Scotland will win this.

“Perth already has great venues and events but it’s a gateway to the Highlands too which makes it a unique bid.

“Paisley has made such great strides in shaking off the loss of heavy industry in the past and has that spark of a place that’s blooming all over again.”

A new UK City of Culture is announced every four years.

The first winner in 2013 was Londonderry.