We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

Its contribution to the world at large.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have always loved this city. When outsiders talked it down I always talked it up as they did not know the city as I do. I really enjoy the Blues Festival every year. No matter where you go, you always meet someone you know. Dundee is really a great city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's proximity to the beach at Broughty Ferry and the wildness of the Angus Glens (and mountains!) The friendliness of the people and the number of different things available to do with my children on rainy days. Even though I have never lived there, (my extended family did and still does) every time I visit it feels like a homecoming!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendliness of the people. The Blues Bonanza
Gardyne's Land
Chalmers' adhesive stamp
P53 - identifying what cancer is about
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fantastic parklands in the city itself meand you can experience the great outdoors but still be within the city itself. The views from the Law have to be seen to be believed.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of renovation that has happened over the last 10 years... long may it continue!!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How every day I see the city from a different more beautiful angle.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was proud to be leader of the council during the reopening of the McManus Galleries and also to see the beginnings of the waterfront development, both of which add significantly to Dundee's cultural landscape.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city of Dundee blends the past with the present. Its steeped in history has many iconic places and landmarks from east to west.
One of the advantages is that even being a city the countryside is near by with lovely villages and towns surrounding it.The scenery for most parts is eyecatchíng has historical ships castles and many more appealing things for the visitors to the City
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a mass of hidden creative talent that is slowly coming to the fore. The imminent V&amp;A building is helping build a massive buzz in Dundee. Inspiring all of those talented people to come out and do their own thing, or join up with others to form collectives, enhancing Dundee even further.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee, just look at the view of our city we take for granted every day. Some people moan about our city, lets make a comparison when you compare our city to a lot of other city's throughout the uk and the world. Is it safe to walk our streets ? and we do like a good moan about everything but do we like it when people from other city's moan about us, so lets hear it for Bonnie Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is best viewed from the top of a bus. The rooftops are amazing. Then climb to the top of the Law for wonderful views and aching legs. Approaching Dundee from any side makes you feel as though you are coming home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like the village atmosphere of all the computer games companies in Dundee. We're all part of one team and we're all clearly proud of what Dundee has done and continues to do in this field. There's so much more team spirit than competition here and it only gets better when the students and universities get involved.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich legacy of Scottish traditional music being played every week by local musicians at The Fisherman's Tavern in Broughty Ferry (on Thursdays) and Mennies (The Speedwell Bar) on the Perth Road(on Tuesdays). This community of local musicians also supports the Tayside Young Fiddlers and leaders like fiddler, Karen Hannah, and piper Kyle Howie, teach and organize traditional music concerts at The Dundee Library in the beautiful Wighton Heritage Centre http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/library/wighton. Scottish traditional music is strong in Dundee and led by young talented pipers, unusual in Scottish session culture which is often led by fiddlers.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from the rooftops

From the ground, the city centre is a modern thriving metropolis, but look over the rooftops and you're transported to yesteryear. Intricately carved stone memorials to a time where people, not technology were the workhorses of the city. The courthouse, Tay works, the spires of the many churches, I sit in my fifth floor office, gaze across the unseen cityscape and consider what life must have been like, what's been lost and, more importantly, what's been gained. Dundee a city of history, that's trailblazing into the future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Blue Sky Photo Club is run by an exceptional and inspirational young photographer, Ross Fraser McLean and operates out of DCA. Around 25 digital camera enthusiasts from semi professional to absolute beginners explore the artistic and technical challenges of the medium on a weekly basis. There are regular exhibitions in Roseangle Cafe Arts ( another hidden gem) in which members share and display their best work.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its integrated creative scene, Dundee supports its local makers and has a driven attitude towards reaching an international level of success. The work of Vanilla Ink inspires me and makes me proud to be part of the creative Dundee network.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Best thing about Dundee is the people. It's diverse, constantly changing and welcoming population are what made me want to move to Dundee and why it still feels like home every time I make a trip back
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> First of all Dundee has a wonderful location as it is located on the River Tay estuary, close to the North Sea. Secondly the people are very friendly and co-operative with whom we never felt that we were foreigners. It has several worthwhile places in its vicinity like St Andrews and the Scottish Highlands. You can also very conveniently go to Edinburgh and south to England.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The multitude of events hosted throughout the year - jazz; dance; classical music; talks; comedy; recent major art exhibitions at the McManus; and more. Just wish I had more time to go to them all!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Simonanna weekly art classes for adults held in the wonderful Art Angel are a fabulous resource. Simon Reekie and Anna Orton facilitate a supportive and inspiring environment to enable exploration of the creative process.
I'm just checking in, come back soon!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have always loved Dundee. It is welcoming , warm, humorous, and enthusiastic. AN impressive location and important in the history of Scotland
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Despite being a group of amateur musicians, the Dundee Symphony Orchestra is fantastic! Utilizing the Caird Hall's magnificent organ and soloists from around the UK, I think it is a hidden gem!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City Centre doesn't cover a very wide area but it has everything you'd ever need. Lovely and compact but with all the big shops as well as the lovely independent cafes for some variation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I had never visited Dundee before moving here for Art School in 2004. Since then I have made it my home. The best bit about Dundee is that it feels like a big village, you're always bumping into someone you know. Yet, as a city it has lots to do. The thriving cultural scene is rivalling Glasgow and Edinburgh and with all the new developments it will only get better. Once you get used to the Dundonian accent the people are great, so friendly and fun :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm a Dundonian who has been living away for the past 10 years. Next year I am coming home and I couldn't be more excited! During my recent visits I have seen remarkable improvements in Dundee but know this is only the start! Dundonians are the warmest people I have come across, this together with the impressive developments in the City makes Dundee the place to be!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Well Dundee is my home city and I just love it! The people are fun and friendly. Eh just love the way we speak! Pure teckle!
There are loads of amazing parks to take the bairns - the swannie ponds is fab in Summer and Winter - I grew up with stories of ice skating on the ponds.
Tannadice is hallowed ground - I grew up there with my uncle and cousins, and now my wee boy is United daft too. And what about the brilliant Michael Marra's song about Hamish McAlpine and Grace Kelly!
The Lochee baths - aye freezing, Victorian splendour and full of characters.
St. Mary's Lochee Catholic Church - absolutely beautiful - and funded by Irish immigrants that helped build the population of Dundee from the 1840s.
Juteopolis - a brilliant book about Dundee and its people.
The Cleppie Road - and the imaginary 'secret tunnel' that goes from Aunty Isabel's bin store on the Cleppie, underground to Tannadice. (Ok - so its not real but its in my imagination).
Lawside Academy - my young days of joy roaming the streets of Downfield and Ardler with my pals - days out up the "Seedlees" (Sidlaws) with picnics, swinging over the Dighty Burn on a rope swing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> ..the blues bonanza...biggest free blues event in europe...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For such a small city, Dundee offers everything and more than some large cities. As well as great shopping and numerous places to eat and drink, Dundee has many places where you can get away from it all. The many parks, the beach at Broughty Ferry and the Sidlaw Hills, all havens of tranquility when the pace of modern life gets too frantic.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the city I grew up in and it is a fantastic place, and I miss it now I live and work in Glasgow. The language in Dundee is just brilliant; from aninineenanaw to the only sentence in the English language with no consenants, I e' I' a' (I ate it all!).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Museum... Beautiful and mystery... A taxi driver told me, that below the McManus museum is a water... he is one of the city council worker before he retired. I like Dundee very much... a nice place to study.. to live.. a good environment.. nice people..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a city in the country. See deer and squirrels while playing golf at Camperdown, a sparrowhawk in the City Square, seals at Riverside, dolphins in the Tay at the Stannergate, and of course the whale at the MacManus!
And - it's a city with a thirst for learning. Public lectures and exhibitions from a variety of providers draw curious and interested crowds eager to have something more than the football to talk about!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic gaming community. Digital, table top, cards and board. From game shops to pubs you'll find gamers everywhere
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's first woman plumber: Maggie Ellis.

The best pies and bridies.

The friendliest folk.

The best Scottish university.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived in Dundee for over 20 years now and have watched it grown into an exciting cultural city. The city has some fantastic events including Dundee Women's Festival, Community and various music festivals. Hidden secrets ...The strong women from Dundee who have helped shape the wonderful City ;)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an incomer I have discovered so many hidden wonders, from her Industrail Heritage in Jute, Jam and Journalism to the strength and vitality of the women of the city, as Civil Rights and Trade union Leaders as well as religious icons. Dundee's history is a wonderful web of intrigue enriched by her people.
I love that the Universities integrate so well and add to that.
We have much to be proud of! A walk round Balgay Cemetery tells amazing stories.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am Dundee born and bred. The best thing about Dundee is its people - they are so friendly. Where else would most people say hello as you walked or cycled passed them?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Years ago, a guy who (asked to) push beside us in the queue at the Mardi Gras, bought us a drink as soon as we were all inside. He then quoted what has become one of my rules for life - "It's nice to be nice."
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing situation by the Tay
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is packed with culture. You only need to spend 10 minutes in the back of a taxi to hear about its rich history. Despite the destruction that the 60s/70s brought to Dundee, the whole city is buzzing with excitement about the new waterfront. And with gems like Broughty Ferry beach and the Perth Road, and music hitting you from every direction (dundee blues bonanza, westfest, clarks bar, henry's coffee house and the fisherman's on a thursday night, to name a few), it's someties hard to leave the place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was very pleasantly surprised when I moved to Dundee 24 years ago, it is the friendliest city I have ever lived in! I loved the way that people just talk to you at the bus stop or in the queue at the post office. It was a great move for me and confounded the expectations of a lot of friends (especially scottish ones). I love watching the river change before my eyes along Riverside near the rail bridge, I really love Magdalen Green and its battered bandstand and I really really love the view from the Law!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The independent development of resources, supported by local people. Support given to theatre, - professional and amateur {music and drama}. Scots music, song and poetry is endemic - popular,widespread and developing. A strong centre for Art and the Arts and prominent in the sciences (medicine, biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, IT skills,computing and traditional sciences. Dundee is a cultural centre for East and Central Scotland, Britain and the World, with many foreign students and visitors.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are genuine and generous with big spirits and kind souls and I'm proud to be one and need to come home every year from Australia to get my fix! I'm a very proud ambassador for my home town and I love watching Dundee evolve! Good luck! X
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is part of national life-only think of Dundee cake and Dundee marmalade.
But would you have guessed that when it kicked Winston Churchill out after serving as its MP for 14 years,it would elect a temperance candidate?
And who exactly was Bonnie Dundee of the song
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Music, vibrant arts and culture, grassroots self organised cultural activities going on as well as via more established organisations like DCA and other venues
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The old medieval town of Dundee which can still be found in places when walking around the city. This includes old streets and closes, hidden buildings, and an underground network of passages. All of these features of the built environment of the city are completely hidden unless you know where to look but provide an opportunity to witness the hidden past of Dundee prior to Jute when it was a wealthy and successful trading port with the Baltics.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Broughty Ferry, having a beach so close is great on a sunny day. I love all the little shops there too.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We are a world centre for life sciences as well as a world centre for the games industry and animation. We have two top class universities, an excellent college and one of the highest students per head of population ratios in the UK. Dundee has been through hard times but the regeneration that's happening in the city has to be seen to be believed.Without entirely losing sight of its past, the city is thrusting its way into the future. It's an exciting time particularly with the waterfront regeneration to include the V&amp;A as well as the city's first 5*Hotel.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Rich historic city with vibrant cultural and buisness sectors,
has one of the best waterfronts in europe and comes
alive at night with great friendly people - back the bid!! :-))
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friendliness and work by the council on encouraging events and businesses to the city (I organise an event in the city, annually, and am struck by the support for it by the council and staff.)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are very caring and friendly. I was so overwhelmed by the caring of neighbours when my mother developed Vasular Dementia. They were so good at looking out for her before she eventually had to go into care. I nominated one of her neighbours (and she won) a Wave 102 neighbour of the year award a few years back.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The DCA Print studio is a great place to work, they are supportive of all Artists at every stage of their career.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In a work capacity, I was asked the other day for details about Dundee as the lady had not visited before, i.e. accommodation with the city centre. I ended up sending a rather long email, about how accessible Dundee is.
We have a great bus and train service in and out the city, there is plenty of great value for money places to stay from hotels to small B&amp;B. For catering, there are fantastic places to eat (think of a food and you'll probably find you can have it somewhere in the city). Great shopping for us ladies within a 1 mile radius. There are free places to visit such as McManus Galleries, Mills Observatory, Broughty Castle, DCA all within walking distance or a short bus journey. If you have have a love of the outdoors and wish to relax, again only a short distance and accessible there is, Camperdown Park, which includes a Wildlife Centre, Baxter Park, Templeton Woods, a lovely sand Beach at Broughty Ferry (cant visit without stopping off for an ice cream at Vissochi's). There are also many acitivities in and around the city, whether it be via sports development, creative learning workshops, easter hunts and of course not forgetting the Dundee Flower and Food Festival (an annual event), if you visiting Dundee, be well assure Dundee Is Worth It!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the place to be, it is full off up and coming designers and people with many talents. Dundee is a beautiful city especially when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom along the Arbroath Road. It has views to take your braeth away. The night life is good and people as so warm and friendly. Definitely worth a visit if you haven't already done so. You will come back for more.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is a wonderful very early painting hanging in Ninewells Hospital of a Dundee doctor - Dr David Kinloch (1560 - 1617) Written on a document he is holding are the words - "Life is short, Art is long, Opportunity is elusive, Experiment is dangerous, Judgement is difficult." How true!!
&nbsp;
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is so welcoming!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I came to Dundee as a student many years ago and found it to be a real warm, homely, friendly city. One key memory was the 555 celebration in 1991. My son, Roy, was one of the first babies born in Dundee that year and he and I went to the great party for babies at the Caird Hall.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beauty of the Tay.  We have a outstanding feature that most other Scottish cities do not have.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A city where you can go for a walk in the hills in the morning, enjoy the beach in the afternoon, and then recharge yourself with a great meal and drink before catching some live music or a play in the evening. Everything is so accessible!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Always a thrill to drive over the "Silv'ry Tay" on the approach to Dundee-it looks different every time depending on the weather, but "silvery" it always is!  Then there is the "Can Do" attitude which is apparent everywhere in all the building work at the Waterfront, and finally the down to earth friendliness of the people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we have the best variety and good quality eateries of any city in Europe . Lots of places to go on a night out whatever your income and the Caird hall
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a fantastic city with fantastic fowk living in it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not a 'hidden secret' but Dundee is the sunniest city in Scotland and with the Law and a walk along the riverside on a nice day it is beautiful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is an early 16 century brass astrolabe in the McManus galleries. As an object it represents remarkable craftsmanship, it has a story to tell about seamanship, discovery, imagination, and those whose hands it passed through - it is one unique part of the story of this fascinating city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The new McManus Galleries are excellent.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has always been an outward looking city. We care about people and welcome everyone with open arms. My uncle fought in the Spanish civil war for people he had never met because, like many Dundee men, he felt he had to make a stand against evil.

I work all over the world. Everywhere I have ever been, the Scots are respected for their openness and friendliness, and I believe that Dundee personifies these virtues.

I am proud of my city and its culture. But I'm most proud to be one of its citizens.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is home to The Scottish Dance Theatre, The Rep. Theatre, The Gardyne Theatre, The Whitehall Theatre, The McManus Art Gallery and will soon be home to The V&amp;A museum. We have staggeringly beautiful views and incidentally, the only city in Britain where you can still see Red Squirrels. Dundee has nurtured world class medical research, top notch software companies and two universities whose reputations are second to none. We have The Sensation Science Centre, Captain Scott's ship RRS Discovery and The only full-time public observatory in the UK. For a population of 140,000 that's surprising.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's not just one thing but a range of things which makes Dundee stand out. Nestled between the Sidlaw Hills to the North, the River Tay to the South and the North Sea to the East lies a relatively small but compact city built around a extinct volcano. It has an extremely strong history as one of the major contributors to the industrialised world reflected in its architecture and a quietly proud and stoical mindset . It is building on this with growing vibrancy in education, IT, arts, culture and sport. It's a hidden gem waiting to shine.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friendly People
new independant shops opening

Events - Free Dundee Uni lectures on a Saturday
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's biggest secret is... THE PEOPLE!! We have such a varied mix of ethnicities and locals with rich histories going back to the mills, etc.
Our places of education speak for themselves too.
To not acquaint yourself with the riches of local culture, places of beauty and interest in Dundee would be a big miss.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The laid-back attitude and warmth of the city is my favourite aspect of Dundee. The city is going through an amazing change and with it brings an excitement, sense of opportunity &amp; open-mindedness that is really refreshing when national and global economic depression can result in an often depressive outlook. Here you find an unusual resilience.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Literary festival brings a terrific selection of authors to the city every October.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of diversity and talent within Dundee's creative industries never ceases to amaze.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee city is very nice because of firth also there are a lot of parks. What is more there are lot of places to have fun with friends such as Dundee Law Hill where you can meet sunset and sunrise. People are awesome, so kind and always ready to help. I have never met such a nice people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The castle in Broughty Ferry. It houses a surprisingly strong collection of Scottish art - not what you'd expect from a pretty random tower by the beach!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Unlike many cities in the UK, in Dundee something that i can proudly say is i work and study in the creative industry. the vast amount of support and creative industry community in this city is second to none. with the rich creative history and exceptional collages and universities not only for creative's and the arrival of the V&amp;A this creative community and presence will only strengthen and further enrich the city and its people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Climbing the monkey puzzle tree in Camperdown, 40 years ago and now watching my children do the same
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The language. A man called, rather shouted, snow - "SNA!". Amazing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing work our volunteer organisations do with the youth of today – be it Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade, Brownies, Guides or Scouts and not forgetting the many sports teams, community centres, dance or music classes that Dundee volunteers support.  The many volunteers who help the sick, elderly, vulnerable, meals on wheels, support charity shops, fundraising events, support at courts and hospitals and many other tasks not listed.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a non Dundonian I find the people very friendly to newcomers
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people, the city, its only 1hour away form the mountains, glens etc
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> a beautiful city with great attitudes amongst the people
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved the atmosphere in the new Caird square on a cold crisp winter evening after listening to the Dundee Symphony Orchesta in the Caird hall, coming down the steps and looking at the Christmas lights and the tree and the people in Henry's coffee house enjoying the view. I love Braithwaite's coffee shop and the Cheesery on Exchange street. Drouthy's and the jute cafe and Dukes corner, the art bar. The macmanus Gallery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has THE BEST 26 mile green circular cycle route! It passes through Camperdown Park, down to Riverside, along the docks through Broughty Ferry and Monifieth then back up to Camperdown taking in gorgeous parks and green spaces!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I came to Dundee it was quite a sad place, burdened by the disappointments of the past. Today it is a new city with a new and much more confident view of itself and its place in the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Anyone lucky enough to see Gardyne's Land before it was turned into a Youth Hostel will know that Dundee was, once upon a time, a very influential city, not only in Scotland but Britain.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sheer welcoming atmosphere from the people who live there. I'm not a resident - in fact I live on the other side of the globe. But I visit frequently to see family. Every time I visit everybody I meet in the city is extremely friendly and welcoming and eager to chat it up. The people are amazing and I have yet to be received the same elsewhere in Scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My parents lived in Dundee just before I was born, but they still took me to the wonderful city often to visit old friends and enjoy the culture. My best memories are from the Contemporary Arts centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's a city of innovation and culture, a great place for a graduating student! All this and its only ten minutes to the countryside or beach, what more could you ask for?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You can be in stunning countryside within 15 minutes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The accent!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of many surprises, including our museums, our landscape, and our hidden gems like the howff graveyard. A medieval graveyard in beautiful condition.
Everyone here is incredibly friendly, and we merge the past and the future, only in Dundee do you find a university leading the way in technology and gaming, and one of the oldest universities in Scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> This is my home town. It always has been since I was born here. I left in the 60's to go to London but returned in the 70's after I married &amp; lived in London. I was desperate to leave Dundee when I was young but when I returned I really appreciated how much standards of living had improved, especially compared to London and the accesibility to the countyside wihout a queue of traffic.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a Dundonian who has lived in most of Scotland's cities, I've never understood the negativity I've encountered about Dundee. It is an incredibly rich, diverse and vibrant place (set in the most amazing surroundings compared with anywhere in the UK). So, whilst Dundonians are generally modest, we also possess a quiet, knowing pride about our city (and ourselves). Rightfully so.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The historical nuggets that are under our noses every day are amazing we just dont recognise them.. Dundee is steeped in history which is not only important to the local area but Scotland, Uk and internationally. It is about time the City was recognised for its cultural diversity and its potential as an international focus for artistic and industrial development.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a city with a creative spirit, and a many promising, developing creative industry. But I think that the most important 'hidden secret'of this city is the V&amp;A museum and the configuration of the waterftont
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> SCUMDEE they said, don't go there. But I did.
This is a city with ambition and guts, somewhere to watch. So much has changed in the last 10 years, I can't wait to watch in awe as the city expands into it's beautiful setting, stretching it's legs and showing the world what it is all about.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sunniest city in Scotland with people with the biggest hearts and friendliest natures
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is home to the Camperdownii Elm or Ulmus Glabra, of which I have two in my garden. This rare tree was first discovered as a mutant hybrid in Dundee's Camperdown Park around 1840. Every Camperdownii Elm in the world is descended from cuttings from that original tree, since the tree does not seed. I have never seen another tree quite like it. Their twisted, spiraling branches and umbrella of weeping leaves are truly unique and every one who visits my home comments on how amazing they look and are always surprised to learn Dundee has its own tree.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an Australian who has lived in Dundee for 17 years I have always been impressed by the multi culteral atmosphere that the Universities , Colleges and Ninewells Hospital. Dundonians don't brag about their city, its not their style. But that is not to say that they don't have something to shout about, the arts are alive in Dundee, inspired perhaps by the beautiful sunsets up the Tay, of the diamonds that shine on the Tay on a summer's day.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Tin Roof studios and others like it are a little known asset to the city. It is an example of one of the many collectives to be found in Dundee which exist because like-minded people want to get together and share their interests.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> With the V&amp;A, the DCA, the Rep, the Whitehall Theatre, our indoor and outdoor sports teams, our shops, music venues, our pubs, our cafes and bustling city centre with a rich heritage of history - why not Dundee for City of Culture 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people - having spent over half my life in Scotland and been in Dundee since 2000 I have to say that the folk of Dundee are a constant source of surprise and cheeriness. They are the most down to earth and genuine folk you could meet. Everyone smiles at one another and Dundee is the most welcoming of places. Folk are engaged and love where they live and where they are from. Dundonians are a truly passionate bunch and make the city what it is.....one of the most dynamic and extraordinary cities I have ever been.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved back to Dundee because of the emerging visual art scene. It is fresh and different from anything I have encountered elsewhere - guaranteed humour and good times! Brilliant live art has emerged from this city - including Gammamoth Institute, Pester + Rossi and Ganghut
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendliness of the locals has got to be listed as one of Dundee's best assets. Anytime I come home from Australia the welcome mat is rolled out. Good luck with your bid!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of great poets both famous and as yet undiscovered. From the Wedderburns in the Reformation to renowned contemporary writers like Don Paterson, John Glenday and Tracy Herd. I would very much include McGonagall in that list! It's also a place where the Scots language has been celebrated, in the work of Ellie McDonald, Matthew Fitt, and the late Harvey Holton.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's very rich cafe culture. Dundee has a surprisingly large number of traditional coffees and modern coffee shops.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has some hidden gems of delightful restaurants and cafes that are original and varied. Having lived in Dundee for 6 years now I am still amazed at all the new places I am discovering. This on the backdrop of amazing surroundings and scenery is just one of the things that makes Dundee amazing!

:)

×