We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

I was there and right in the thick of things when it transformed from a post-apocalyptic dump into a vibrant digital city. I am proud to be associated in some way with this unique, transformational city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Nairobi via China and Laos, 5 and a bit years ago. What surprised me about Dundee was how it manages to be a big city with numerous hidden surprises and at the same time a small city with a real sense of community and pride. My favorite surprise in Dundee was when I stumbled across a pop up gallery called the guerrilla gallery at the back of the recycling center. This gave me a glimpse into the world of Artists in Dundee and I was amazed!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a bustling, vibrant city but you can still walk down the High Street and expect to see a familiar face. It is a mixture of old and new, exciting and reflective, multi-cultural and friendly. You can sit and stare at the fabulous panoramic view over the river and a stranger will offer you a sweetie and a "bit chat." A wonderful Uni and an art house movie theatre sit next door to an awesome chippy and beautiful church. It's hard to live far from Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has created amazing musicians, scholars and passionate people who have shaped the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Mills Observatory.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was there and right in the thick of things when it transformed from a post-apocalyptic dump into a vibrant digital city. I am proud to be associated in some way with this unique, transformational city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of history and yet is a modern city with a great future and vibrancy. I love the simpicity of going down town and just having an urban adventure and seeing where we end up! The City Centre has wonderful streets, buildings (look up!) and the McManus is great to pop in or linger . The top of Dundee Law is different every visit and I love all the public art that makes Dundee a bit special don't forget the Victorian Parks where we can have fun, nothing beats Baxters Park on Fireworks Night!. We are very lucky to live and work here!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is Scotland's sunniest city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Busy, bustling city with easy access to 20 odd miles of beaches. The surrounding Perthshire countryside is a gateway to the beautiful highlands.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's the Disco capital of the UK!!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the art that is around the city. There are the penguin statues outside the overgate (which have santa hats put on them for Christmas); a scary looking dragon on the high street and of course desperate dan standing in the city center. My favourites are the more modern looking metal sculptures like the paper planes which are found across from the airport.
As for a hidden secret I really like the planet trail at the Mills observatory where you can walk across the beautiful park and walk from the sun to pluto. Each planet is represented by a rock with a plaque giving information about the planet. The distances between each planet is a scaled down model of reality so it can be hard to find Neptune!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Development.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Apart from the friendliness of our people and the sudden impact of some of our treasures - Frigate Unicorn, Morgan Academy, some of the surviving old tenements - I marvel at the strong thread of traditional Scottish dancing here. Dundee's branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society started in 1925 (3rd oldest in the world!); there's dancing all over, if you know where to look! It's going on in school halls and church halls most evenings, but lots of visitors don't know enough about it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love standing under the rail bridge and looking at the magnificent structure. One of my favorite views has always been on the train, when coming in, from down south, it slows over the bridge and you get a chance to take in the stunning City... this is where I show off to visitors about Dundee, its glorious "Silvery Tay", its sunny aspect, point out the Law (hill), the wind machines and tell the story of the Old bridge that collapsed and show the old stumps that are still visible.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many beautiful and interesting places including the DCA centre, Rep theatre and the Law, but above all I love the city for the people I met there and enjoyed all these places with.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me it has everything I'd want in a city, good nightlife, restaurants, culture and shopping. It is also centrally positioned to the big two (Edinburgh and Glasgow) as well as ideally situated for my daily commute to Aberdeen for work. If the estuary could be dredged/lowered to allow easier (non-tidal) access for more offshore vessels and possibly build an offshore business hub on the harbour for oil and gas jobs it would indeed be perfect
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All the different live music styles you can and participate in Dundee. Opportunities for all in different styles of music making, with the massive rock and Indie pop scene to the trad music folk sessions in the Fisherman's along side structured groups like Tayside Young Fiddlers and Dundee Srathspey and Reel society, and all the Wighton Workshops. Classical music buffs can take part in Dundee Symphony Orchestra, there's all the University music groups and there's all the amateur chamber music making that goes in the privacy of some of our own homes. It's been going on for years we're full of talent!!
<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> The beauty of the river surprises me every single time I see it. Especially when it goes completely still, as the tide changes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great live music, lovely art galleries, friendly people, great restaurants, rich history. I love Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the nature around the city and the university integrated with the town
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are no roundabouts in Dundee only circles!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Roseangle gallery, art exhibitions at the Botanic gardens,the paintings in the new gallery on South Tay street, the beautiful jewellery at the DCA shop...the list goes on.So much talent and so much creativity in his town.As an outsider who emigrated toDundee from India in 2001,I have watched the city reinvent itself culturally.I love Dundee and I hope to never leave.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think it's great that the sun shines so much in Dundee. Seeing Dundee from across the Tay with the sun shining on it is a wonderful sight. Every time you look you see something different.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden passageways in Dundee are amazing, it puts you in touch with the living history of the City!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is about to have its first historical anthology of poetry - 'Whaleback City' (from Dundee University Press). The broad sweep of Dundee's history, people and gegraphy has been represented in poetry since the 16th century, and this book will chronicle all of it through the words of Sir Walter Scott, Wiliam McGonagall, Joseph Lee, Don Paterson, Douglas Dunn, W N Herbert and many others.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was surprised when the 48hour film competition came along how many extremely talented writers, film makers, photographers, actors, singers, songwriters and musicians were present in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of Dundee's hidden attractions is Balgay Park. The park itself is lovely with beautiful walks through the trees an stunning views. There is also a Plant Trail walk up Balgay Hill leading to Mills Observatory which holds entertaining Planetarium shows and has several interesting objects related to space.
<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> 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> I love the inscription of McGonagall's poem about the Tay Bridge Disaster, along the pavement on Riverside Drive. It was a joy to literally stumble upon it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing, Dundee can and does it has demonstrated its ability to make the future happen, its a place where you can add value, it treats you as a person, not as a number. Join in and see where you can make your voice heard.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a delightful place to live and work. We have some beautiful sights to see; my favourite is the Howff cemetery in the city centre. No matter how busy the city is the Howff is always quiet and peaceful; it is quite surreal. Dundee Law is also a wonderful place to be. I will never tire of living in Dundee, and I am a very proud Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It surprises me how cosmopolitan the city is considering the lack of transport links
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> River Tay is amazing on any day with its many facets. Dark and gloomy, foggy and mysterious, bright and sunny, and the occasional seals.
The research ongoing in University of Dundee and Ninewells Hospital aiso punches above its weight internationally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> After one year in Dundee, my life has been changed. I discovered myself and the world in new ways. This is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I learned how to communicate across cultures and had chances to see historic monuments and famous arts. Due to my immature thinking, I might have caused some misunderstandings, but the lecturers had a sympathy, they forgave mistakes of mine. I studied on ​​a topic that I love and received invaluable advices from Professor. I believe these experiences would translate into benefits throughout my life &amp; ... I miss the city :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heritage assets that the City has are enviable.Not just the decor of the traditional but magnificent museum but the historic cultural assets of the Verdant works and the football teams which capture the city's own history of immigrant Irish labour in Victorian times.
Dundee's cultural history mirrors much of Scotland's but its "discovery" reveals its own unique ingredients.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of sporting alert in Dundee is amazing, hockey is my sport and to see it grow so rapidly since renovation of facilities is wonderful
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's in the air, Dundee is the perfect size and setting for people to get together and do great things. It's the friendly atmosphere that it creates that leads you to meet people from all walks of life. The result is a meeting of minds and creativity.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Walking along the front at Broughty Ferry or coming into Dundee by train across the rail bridge the views are stunning. The Tay is Dundee's least well kept secret and it's most important feature.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> If there was ever a person which embodied Dundee it would have to be Amanda Lowson from Dundee Rep Theatre. She exudes creativity, joy, resilience and a fiery passion for the city and the people who live here. Through her work at Dundee Rep and her general outlook on life, she unknowingly makes the city a brighter place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creativity and buzz around the University's College of Art &amp; Design, DJCAD
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Grassy Beach is my favourite Dundee secret. I'm sure it has it's own microclimate as when the weather is dire elsewhere, it usually feels much milder there. I also love beachcombing and once picked up a large wooden crucifix wih a silver Christ on it. I decided that there must be more treasure on the beach so continued searching and found a brooch which I pocketed whithout much attention. The crucifix disappeared but when I took the brooch home, I discovered that it was gold with garnets in it - so I did find treasure that day on my magical beach. Twenty years on I'm still searching for the crucifix !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it's not just one place or one person. what always amazes me about dundee is it's great variety of people from different cultural and national backgrounds, whether at university or in the local community.
and there are so many places my heart grew fond of over the years. for example, the view over the tay from balgay park's cemetary, or having a few pints among the locals in dundee's oldest pub (mennies), or even that there are some coffee places where you can simply sit down with a nice wee cuppa and play chess.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The many talented musicians who can be found playing at various bars in and around the city including Clarks on Lindsay Street and Fat Sams Live
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Good place to study and loads of things to do as a family.
<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.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the rich arts and culture scene - i also think that it sits within a microclimate as the weather is always much better there than the rest of scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of creative people in Dundee is amazing. So many creatives of all different disciplines all supporting each other where we can. Art, music, literature, design, architecture, Dundee's got it covered. It rocks.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The daffodils
<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!!
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<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the way that you can escape the bustle when you need too - beautiful, quiet places are sometimes only a walk away.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendly people and all the talks at the science museum there seems to something going on every day!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My mother is a from Dundee, most of mine and my brother's school holidays were spent there as children staying with our much adored Grandpa in the West end of the city. Much time was spent playing on Magdalene Green beside the Railway and the Tay (something we were never allowed to do growing up in London) which gave us a great sense of freedom. A treasured memory is happening to be staying up there when the Discovery was brought back to Dundee and the excitement and pride that people took in that event .It is a wonderful city with a rich and varied past that the city's very friendly and kind people are so much making the best of as regeneration continues very pleasingly to expand throughout it. With so much going on from the Discovery to the fantastic DCA I would recommend it to anyone as somewhere well worth a visit and a stay. I could not be more proud to say this place is where some of my family are from!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Howff - a graveyard in the centre of town where you can relax &amp; chill.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is filled with the best people. Take some time to speak to the people and you will find amazing story tellers.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creative resilience of the people. And how much I still like a peh.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The more I travel away from Dundee the more I appreciate it. It has everything. It is big enough to be busy and small enough to be easily accessible. You really appreciate the scenery, the mix of hills, the Tay, urban areas with a lot of green parks and trees very nearby. You really appreciate that when you travel to flat, landlocked towns in England for example. Dundee has everything.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful Magdalen Green as it pans down on to the banks of the River Tay. A very special place to me as I have had many romantic walks here, a summer BBQ proposal and then my wedding photos in the bandstand. What a peaceful and inspiring space and view!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Access to outdoor activities such as paddlesport, in both kayak and canoe. There are many clubs locally offering access to the sea, rivers and lochs in a number of canoe and kayak disciplines. Many of them on a voluntary basis and at minimal cost.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour, the sky, the clean air.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city full of quirks and quirkiness. I think there are more quirks per head of population than anywhere else I know! Yet its hard to put my finger on it. There's a quirky humour, quirky attitudes, quirky language, quirky culture, quirky history - in fact its just DIFFERENT. There's always a surprise just around the corner waiting to smack you right in the pus (excuse the quirky Dundee vernacular!). And that's what makes Dundee a wee bit special
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have a rich hidden talent in our young people in Dundee. A wealth of Artistic and Musical Talent in the under 18's that needs more opportunity to showcase what it can do. At present only one Art exhibition a year in the city that is council supported, for our S6 pupils, hopefully by 2017 this can be expanded to let these fantastic young people show the city what they can do.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The waterfront itself! Being able to jog along the path at sunrise is really quite something and when the V &amp; A at Dundee building is built the views will be spectacular!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I come back to Dundee it's changed - something new and something different, each &amp; every time. This ability to change, move and adapt is a key link to why Dundee has been responsible for so many discoveries and inventions over the years - we are not stuck in the past and we are not scared of change therefore we can move forward. The future is a very exciting place for Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its the city of discovery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ricky Flynn Memorial Bench on Daisy Hill in Baxter Park. A peaceful place in memoriam of a great kid. Morgan Academy pupil, Ricky Flynn was tragically killed in 2010 when he was struck by a taxi heading west along Kingsway East. His friends and family placed the memorial bench on the top of Daisy Hill which over looks Baxter Park and the Tay. A calm place to rest and reflect.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creativity and diversity. It's wonderful to see different backgrounds all come together to create a positive vibe around the city, not to mention the effect this has on the growing arts scene here. There's a real positive attitude here amongst the people that makes Dundee an attractive city to be in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a perfect sized city, where you can run into friends that you know often, unlike in bigger cities. Is also big enough that you can meet a vast variety of different people. 

Also the law hill is one of the most amazing places ever.
<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> The 'lets just get on and do it' attitude that has started to happen in Dundee's creative world. From Vanilla Ink to Tin Roof via Fleet Collective, Jam Collective and Rusty Hip - not to mention all the independent shops and cafes that are setting the foundations for the future retail economy of the city. Good work, lets keep it going.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Has anyone mentioned DC Thompson's yet?! The Beano, The Dandy, The Broons... and my fave, Twinkle :) ... spawning the talents of Jacqueline Wilson, Alexander McGregor and Andrew Nicoll.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the amazing academics here within the city, that come from all over the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The ability to visit Broughty Ferry and do the 'Ferry 15', 15 pubs in the space of a 700 by 350 yard area.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Contemporary Arts should be the "Centre of Culture" in the UK! Due to its quaint nature, the workshops and events it runs are very heavily community-oriented, attendants to these events feel the cultural message a lot more personally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fact that we are so central in Scotland and can reach Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen within 90 minutes maximum. We are a city of culture and science and this is improved upon on a daily basis. I am so looking forward to the waterfront being finished and the new V&amp;A building. Love Dundee. Look forward to my 2-year old reaping the benefit.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Overlooking the city is Dundee Law, the plug of a long extinct volcano.

The view from the top is spectacular, reaching at least 20 miles east (to the Bell Rock lighthouse) and south (to Fife's Lomond Hills) as well as up the river westward towards Perth.

It is the perfect place to see just what a perfect position Dundee is in, on the banks of the silvery Tay.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> small city, huge history
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The music. There's a surprising variety. Open mic nights with some talented acoustic musicians, jazz and swing on the HMS unicorn, well known names playing gigs at the dog house or fat sam's and everything in-between. Whether you want a chilled out night, fancy some dancing or want to see your favourite band Dundee has it all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Super Friendly People of Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the site of a Spring full moon at it rises over Fife. The one on the 25th April was spectacular and reflected majestically in the Tay. Ima gonna get that moon.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a strong community which is full of people who are more than willing to embrace change to the city. It has got a great mixture of old and new and plenty of things to do for all ages. Plays, musicals, dance, sport, live bands, art, great restaurants, bars, pubs, shopping, outdoor activities, parks, woodlands, beach, the tay, with plenty more on the doorstep how could you not love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing location of the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The DCA is amazing, we travel there all the way from Perth regularly to see inspiring films and music we'd never otherwise know about.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views from so many angles are amazing. Both looking in and looking outwards. The struggles too, of many people such as my Granny who worked in the Jute Mills and the struggles too, of many today who can't find work, but keep striving despite the setbacks. It's not just the views, but the people. Their determinism to help others, even when they have so little, brings out the best. I've seen it often in the most surprising places.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a wonderful sense of community , people are proud of their city and show this by pulling together to influence change and improvements in their local areas.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creative hub that Dundee has become... What many people still don't know is that Dundee is a hot spot of creative talent waiting to be utilised. From the well known such as Hayley Scanlan, the DCA and Vanilla Ink, to the undergraduates at DJCAD who are always pushing the boundaries and ready for more. This is a clear reason for the V and A choosing Dundee as its scottish venue and a great reason for Dundee to become 2017 city of culture.
<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 has an amazingly vibrant and creative visual art community, buzzing with talented artists, designers and makers and sustaining an exciting range of creative activities and events. It is home to fantastic arts organisations and institutions including Dundee Contemporary Arts, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art &amp; Design, Generator Projects, Wasps Artists' Studios and McManus Galleries. Dundee also has a wonderful open feeling – you can see views of the sky and the River Tay from all over the city, and there are beautiful beaches and countryside just a hop, skip and a jump away!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What makes Dundee special to me aside from it being home, is its people, its unique history, its diversity, creativity, our resilience and our pride. That to me is what makes our culture, the richness and depth of experience those things bring never fails.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I enjoy the fact that the supporters of both big teams in the city get along so well before and after the Derby's in the local pubs. Both sets of fans want their team to win with a passion, but after the game they enjoy a pint and a chat together win,lose or draw.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Cafes, shops and an eclectic mix of people from every walk of life. Dundee has a whole lot to offer and is the ideal place for students. I have lived here for 4 years now and have had the privilege of seeing Dundee grow up and mature to be recognised as one of the leading cities in Scotland.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has got so many tourist attractions such as the Whitfield shops and the job centre and a new Victoria and Albert Design Centre, and the homeless unit.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The observatory on Balgay Hill- its a gem and free to visit!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved here when I was 17 to go to DOJ and I thought I would move straight home after i got my degree. 4 years later I am still in Dundee, and can truely call it home. There is loads going on and the people are 'braw'!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Getting to know Dundees creative scene is a rich journey of discovery. It's not a city to wear its cultural heart on its sleeve but once you start to squirrel in on what's keeping the artistic pulse beating it turns out the heartbeat is strong, varied, hard hitting and rich. And most of all friendly and welcoming. Come investigate under the skin of the city too...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I adore lochee library. Beautiful building and a great atmosphere .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Moving from York to Dundee for university I was surprised at the city's natural beauty! everywhere you go there is a diverse set of buildings all telling the history of the city, how it has grown and been developed. From student bars and clubs, art spaces and good food, Dundee represents the world in a city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A wealth of characters who can get along with anyone.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I first was considering studying art at Dundee I took a train journey up for the open day. The conductor was horrible refused to accept my card and was very unhelpful when I asked what I could do as I had no money on me. A stranger sitting next to me offered to pay my fare and I could repay her when we got off at Dundee. Once we were in Dundee and I had given the money back she turned out to be an art student and took me to the art college! Dundee's friendliness inspires me!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not only does Dundee host internationally touring dance company SDT, but it also home to the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance. The people within this school are incredible. They hold there own against the likes of those training at Laban and the London Contemporary Dance School in terms of technique, and stand out as being a highly artistic bunch.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Well for such a small city, I personally think it is a great and fun place to live. I love the city centre, it might be minute compared to other cities but it is continuing to grow and develop into a place that could possibly rival the bigger cities centres. I think that the water front project, once it is finished, will look great and will bring more people down to Dundee. Also, the seating area outside the caird hall is being changed around, which will also make the town centre look better. There are some great looking buildings in Dundee right now and more on their way, such as the new olympia. There is no denying that Dundee has a lot to offer.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is ready for change - despite the economic issues it faces, despite the impact of a difficult history and despite the outdated perception of some people outside the City. It is in the process of positive change and achieving UK City of Culture status would accelerate that process.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of the city is fascinating
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Art Gallery is a hidden gem. The history and culture of Dundee all one one place. Very interesting.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The transformation! The huge amount of creative talent in the city is amazing &amp; really, still to be fully discovered!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a qualities that it doesn't boast about. It doesn't boast about the beautiful river, parks, buildings, people and even the wonderful weather. The people of Dundee are amazing and every day you meet someone interesting and talented. We ned to blow our own trumpets more.
As you walk around Dundee you see the most amazing buildings and art which you miss because they are a bit tired - give Dundee a polish.
Dundee has so many famous and talented artists show them off.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee was Scotland's second city for over 200 years and by area had Scotland's largest medieval city centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an "immigrant" to Dundee I am continually boosted by its determination to develop and improve what it offers to the community. So small a city but with amazing museums, science centre, galleries, parks, forests, beaches ...

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