Local politicians and a leading business body have sprung to the defence of Aberdeen after it was named the most dismal town in Scotland.
The Granite City saw off competition from Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and Leven to win the dubious accolade in architectural magazine Urban Realm’s annual Carbuncle awards.
Dame Anne Begg, Labour MP for Aberdeen South, was dismissive of the prize, however.
In a statement, she said: “Fit a cheek, Aberdeen is beautiful, especially in the sun.
“I just wonder if anyone making this decision has ever visited our city.”
Ramsay Milne, convener of Aberdeen City Council’s planning development management committee, said: “We are not the most dismal place in Scotland.
“PWC (PricewaterhouseCooper) did a survey which found us the second happiest place in Scotland and the third in the UK.
“We won the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2014, they do not give awards to dismal cities.”
North-east Conservative MSP Nanette Milne said: “Aberdeen has so much going for it architecturally and in recent years we have seen significant investment in some outstanding buildings from the University library to the harbour control tower.”
Read more: Nine reasons why Aberdeen isn’t Scotland’s ugliest city
SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, Kevin Stewart, submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament calling for it to regret what he called “the unwarranted decision” by the magazine.
He cited rich architectural heritage including Marischal College, the Maritime Museum and Provost Skene’s House in defence of the city.
Gary Craig, chief executive of local business body Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is unbelievable that Aberdeen has been given the Carbuncle award, a title it certainly does not deserve and especially given the hugely diverse range of positive action that has been carried out in a bid to boost the city’s aesthetic.”
However, some city residents felt the title may be warranted.
In a snap poll on the Press and Journal website yesterday, eighty percent of about 450 who took part said they agreed with the verdict.
Lorna McHattie, who has been an active campaigner against the Marischal Square development in Aberdeen, said the award could give the city “a wake-up call”.
She said: “We’re not getting any legacy buildings, the buildings we have are bland and poorly designed.
“It’s a great place to bring up family and it is safe but the character of the city is being eroded.”