City status will be granted to a select few UK towns by the Queen next year as part of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A competition has been launched to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's ascent to the throne.

As the Queen will be the first British monarch to have reached 70 years on the throne much is planned for 2022, with a special four-day bank holiday weekend between June 2 and 5 at the centre of the celebrations.

Scotland currently has seven cities - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling.

Back in 2012, as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, four awards were made to Chelmsford, Perth, St Asaph and Armagh - one for each part of the UK. 

Again, town's will compete from each country so what Scottish town's could be in for the running? 

The competition will close on December 8 but here are the town's bidding for city status that we know so far...

Dunfermline

The Herald:

Fife Council is preparing to make a case for the Auld Grey Toun which was once the ancient capital of Scotland. 

It held royal status and is the final resting place of kings and queens, including Robert the Bruce, and boasts ancient sites such as Dunfermline Abbey and the Palace ruins, both of which are the best part of 1,000-years-old.

Dunfermline is also the home town of the great philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, once the richest man in the world who left Pittencrieff Park to the people, but the bid won't just dwell on past glories.

Dunfermline Councillor Helen Law said: "There's great history, heritage and culture but Dunfermline is also the fastest-growing town in Europe with all the housing development so we've got a lot going for us." 

 

Dumfries

The Herald:

Dumfries and Galloway Council has agreed to back the bid to secure city status for Dumfries. 

 A previous bid in 2011 was dismissed after it emerged it had not come from the council.

If successful it would be the first city in the south of Scotland. The former royal burgh has an interesting history and special connection to Scotland’s National Bard.

Peter Pan author JM Barrie and British Formula One racing driver David Coulthard, have all lived there, but its most famous former resident is Robert Burns who spent his final years here.

 

Greenock

The Herald: Lyle Hill, Greenock. Picture: George Munro/Newsquest

Inverclyde Council has suggested it wants bid for Greenock to become Scotland’s eighth city.
A final decision is yet to be made and the public have been asked for consultation. 
Councillor Robert Moran said going for city status could only be a positive thing for Greenock.
He added: “This is a great opportunity. Even if we don’t win, it will put us on the map.
“It will let people know Inverclyde is alive and vibrant. Greenock has a great story to tell.
“This can only be good for us and we have nothing to lose. Maybe we’ll be successful and maybe we’ll have something to shout about for a change.”

 

Irvine

The Herald: Looking along harbour Street Irvine at low tide with some small craft being attended to..

North Ayrshire councillors will be asked to agree to authorise officers to explore a potential entry for Irvine to seek city status in a boost to Ayrshire’s top town. 

Ian Clarkson, Provost and councillor for Irvine West said: “I think it’s absolutely brilliant – it’s an opportunity for Irvine to put themselves on the map. 
“It’s a good opportunity and we saw it early on so we’re grasping it and lets see where it takes us. 
“It’s an exciting time. We’re really behind it and would love it to happen.”

 

Oban 

The Herald:

Its Gaelic name translates as 'little bay' but there are big ambitions for a scenic town in the Scottish Highlands.

Argyll and Bute Council has also agreed to develop a bid for the town, which has a population of around 8,490.

A report compiled to support the bid argues that Oban is in a strategically important position on the west coast of the Highlands and Islands and is the "gateway" to island communities.

Council leader Robin Currie said they were promoting Oban as a "great place to live work and invest".

He said: "I would encourage everyone to get involved in helping Oban, and Argyll and Bute, win."

What Scottish town do you think should get city status?

 

Vote in our poll below: