Scottish hopes of securing the 2017 UK City of Culture title rest with Dundee after Aberdeen missed out on a place in the final shortlist.
Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Swansea are the only four cities left in the running for the title.
An independent advisory panel chaired by Phil Redmond considered 11 bids before creating the final shortlist.
Dundee City Council administration leader Ken Guild said: "This is wonderful news for the city and all the organisations and individuals who have passionately backed our case.
"Our's is a people's bid showcasing our strengths, combined with a desire to take forward a new momentum to encourage even more exciting developments for the population of the city.
"Dundee's ambition to be city of culture is based on enthusiastic participation in the arts across our communities.
"Winning City of Culture status would have a huge impact on Dundee and we want to enjoy those benefits for years to come."
VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead said Dundee's inclusion on the shortlist is fantastic news for the city and for Scotland.
"To have reached this stage, in what is a highly competitive process, is testament to the hard work of the team and their dedication to the strong cultural offering of the city," he said.
"Dundee is a city which has invested in cultural-led urban renewal, with the new V&A in particular already attracting significant interest from across the cultural sector.
"The city has a strong cultural reputation, with a number of great organisations and partnerships delivering some hugely exciting projects, events and festivals."
Culture minister Ed Vaizey said: "I want to congratulate the four shortlisted cities who have made it this far, and indeed all 1 cities who put time and great effort into submitting bids.
"The events in Derry-Londonderry over recent weeks highlight just how much of an impact being 'City of Culture' can have. It brings together communities, encourages economic growth, and inspires social change and the shortlisted cities should be very proud of the bids they have put together so far."
Phil Redmond, chair of the independent advisory panel, said: "It was incredibly difficult to decide on a shortlist as all the bids recognised the power of culture to bring about social change and offered innovative and interesting programmes. In the end the panel thought the four shortlisted citires offered plans that were ambitious, realistic and would not only deliver for their communities, but would also maintain the momentum created around the success of Derry-Londonderry."
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