We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

Can’t wait for my son and I to use the New Olympia Swimming facility this summer and very much looking forward to seeing how the new waterfront developments will progress and enrich our city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people,the opportunities, the quality of life and it's creative institutions are some of the greatest in Scotland. Dundee is really starting to show it's obvious potential!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love that Dundee is built on a human scale. I can jump on my bike in the north of the town and within 10 minutes I can be sitting drinking a coffee in a coffee shop, wandering round an art exhibition, doing my grocery shopping, walking along a sandy beach or a forest trail, watching a film, dancing the night away or just getting out into the countryside.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Without the chutzpah of Dundee Scotland would not have a games industry. As Scotland's leading games research publication, we strongly support Dundee's bid!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a deep dark interesting history too it. Having read, 'The Law Killers' by Alexander McGregor I discovered how interesting the history of the city really is. With a Jack The Ripper suspect living here too other fascinating murders and crimes being committed. Some unsolved cases and many strange cases add to the richness and interest of the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> all the little details - benches in the street which are wiggly rather than standard straight ones, arty bollards, dragon wrapped around a street sign etc etc etc, so many
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm constantly surprised by the huge amount of history in such a compact area, and the almost hidden current developments in area like art &amp; technology.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Did you know you can buy the world's best sausages at the West End Butchers on Perth Road? They make their own beef, steak and pork - all awesome, but the pork are my favourite! I came to live in Dundee over 19 years ago and love it here. It's a small, friendly city that has it all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact that Dundee is changing so fast, that no place is safe from the scrutinizing look of whether it deserves to stay or make place for the new. Unloveable buildings are demolished and open spaces are created. Dundee is not in any way decadent or settled, nor is it burdened with too much that needs to be preserved or archived or mummified. It is in this way a place that is on the move, and that makes it an exciting and vibrant place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its labour history and political history is a deep and wonderful vein for a historian to study.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The green spaces, the parks and grassy fields inside the city. The ease of access to open countryside and stunning views. Fife looks great from Dundee! The great variety of shops and cafés in the city. I appreciate the large number of independent coffee-houses as well as the bigger brands. The history of innovation and scientific discovery, coupled with the more well-known comic book element make Dundee unique. The centres of learning do a great job of sending out folks well-prepared for professional life. It's a lovely city with great potential!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best friendships I've had have been those which constantly redefine themselves over a long period of time. That's the way I feel about Dundee. As someone who was born here, Dundee is a place that has meant a variety of different things for me as I have grown older particularly within the arts. The Dundee Schools music programme is a great way to get people involved in music from a young age, giving you the confidence to develop into a talented young adult. The music scene has always been fantastic, with places such as beat generator, putting on local talent and the recent programming of WestFest during the summer months this is something that continues to grow. Music is just one example of how Dundee thrives within the arts, we have the literary Festival, the science festival and a festival of shorts for designed purely for children. This is unique as far as I am aware. The talent is not just imported here from all over the globe, it also nurtured here, in the young which is extremely important.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I cycle into Dundee from Fife I get this feeling... THE BUZZ... When I first visited Dundee in 2007, I couldn't feel the buzz. I now go for regular day trips to return home feeling inspired and creative from the real &amp; lively encounters of the day. Nothing fake about Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not only is Dundee full of culture (museums, eateries, art galleries etc) but it has a great music scene. It boasts 2 fantastic Universities a teaching hospital, dental hospital and a College delivering a vast array of courses. The gem for me is the Castle and beach of Broughty Ferry and our proximity to the Glens.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As visitors, we loved the independent alternative stores like Ozzies and Arkive as well as the lovely Henry's coffee house... Dundee has managed to remain not high-street bland! Great character :) and impossible not to mention Desperate Dan!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful buildings
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What surprises me about Dundee is how little people living outsidethe City realise how much Dundee has changed over the years and what a fantastic place this is to live,work and visit. I have lived in Dundee all my life and have raised my family here and I would never have had it any other way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are so many interesting hidden gems in Dundee. Through hosting a monthly meetup for people in the technology industry we have met people who have worked with NASA on Space Station technology, people from 5 man teams powering software used all over the world, people carrying out pioneering research and student developers creating the next big games. Everyone is so friendly and comes together to share knowledge and experience to continue helping other with problems. It is such a great environment to live and work in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Creative, vibrant &amp; friendly city
<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> I'm looking forward to visiting later this week, up from Yorkshire. Can't wait to visit the most fantastic cafe, Jessie's Kitchen, a real hidden gem. Wonderful cakes and drinks with a wonderful view over the Tay.
<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> I like how interesting the buildings in the town are when you just look up, it like looking back in time.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much I miss about Dundee - I live near Aberdeen now and there is no comparison. The Rep, Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, vibrant degree shows at Vision, walking thorough the City and feeling the energy and of course the music
<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> I love Dundee my home I grew up its inspire me of education, historys, tourest attractions, museums friendly people and have everything for events all preformance and the pipe bands is my big thing and Broughty Ferry Gala week is great. radio 1 weekend in 2006, waterfront , Science, Jazz and Blues, Discovery ship, Jute Mill, Rep Theatre, lots of activity for the city of cuture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How Broughty Ferry can feel like a quaint seaside resort town but still be only minutes away from the bustling city centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is physically transforming itself at the present. As a centre for so much learning (education, science, medicine, IT.....) it has changed it's face!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I got my PhD degree in Dundee. In that three years, I was surprised about the clear sky, clear water, clear air and wonderful landscape. I also was very enjoyable about the night-life in the bars. I think now it is a traditional culture of Dundee. There are several bars on street which have been existed for more than 100 years. I always went to the 'The counting house' established in 1893 to drink beer, and eat the wonderful steaks in each Tuesday,s night. I also like the ancient church building, like the McManos.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Both born and bred dundonians, and the people who have chosen to live here all have a great outlook and sense of community spirit which is great to be a part of.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee, my home city, always has something new to offer, after 30 years here im still finding new things to do and see. :)
<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> Hidden secret - Broughty Ferry Amateur Operatic Society. The present - our games industry. The future - a cure for cancer, which some believe will be made here, in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ive been away 4 years now, near Glasgow and i have to listen to how great Glasgow is and how Dundee is a' wee toon' with nothing in it, mostly from people who think Dundee is in the highlands!! I love nothing better than bringing weegie pals with me when i come home for a visit, i take them through the town, to the Discovery, across the bridge, up the Law at night (that view stuns them) the McManus and Nicolls for a peh! Weegies now in awe of us, job done. I just let 'meh toon' do the talking!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of fabulous friendly people. Lots of small family run business thriving in these difficult times from coffee shops, young fashion retailers and not forgetting cutting edge hair and beauty salons. Lots of these businesses have won many awards which is a great achievement for our city. Great schools and one of the countries best Universities employing lots of people from all over the world. I have always been very passionate about our city and it deserves to win this award.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> i'm not too far from anything. i can walk to everything i need- university, gym, pub and the shops! improvements are constantly being made to the city which is very exciting.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's commitment to nurturing the talents of our young musicians, dancers and actors through supporting the Dundee Schools' Music Theatre and Orchestras and Bands. The public performances at the Caird Hall and local theatres are widely appreciated.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every year, when spring eventually arrives, the city is taken over by vast expances of daffodils. Driving down the Kingsway, the scenery becomes a yellow blur! I wouldn't be surprised if Dundee has more Daffodils per head of population than any other city in the UK!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Howff Graveyard - given to Dundee by Mary Queen of Scots and now a peaceful place in the heart of the city centre. The inventor of the adhesive postage stamp, Joseph Chalmers is buried here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having recently retired to Dundee from London I have been amazed at the diversity of cultural activities on offer here. The wealth of films shown at the DCA for every type of audience; the excellent repertory company and the brilliant Scottish Dance Company based in Dundee and now gaining an international reputation; the Discovery Centre, the Verdant Works Museum, and the Caird Hall hosting visits from international ballet companies and orchestras,and the V&amp;A coming soon. Dundee is already a city of culture!
<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> Great tourist attractions, museums, parks. Ideal for river walks and views. Interesting places to dine and ideal place to live plus it is easy to get to other Scottish cities from here. Great for shopping and lovely Botanic garden.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City of youth and ambition
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the silvery tay(fish shop)best in britain the law giving amazing views of city the on going improvements every time i come home from plymouth.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Coming from Perth my perception of Dundee was always negative until work brought me here in 2004. Dundee in general has surprised me, continues to evolve and in turn surprises friends who I bring to the city. It is hard to explain but I feel comfortable here. Dundee is home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The great art collection in the McManus Gallery. And the great mixture of Architecture in the city such as the grand old houses.
<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> Dundee is so diverse. We are a City, surrounded by countryside 5 minutes drive away and sitting on the Firth of Tay, with a beach in Brought Ferry. We are also mad as this picture shows The New Year Dook!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like the penguins in the centre of town and by the Discovery!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Daffoidils every where , beautiful.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee-The place to be! It will astound you the sheer number of the most famous people in the world who have connections with Dundee- some that have been hidden or forgotten about up until recently - you can google them to find out -e.g Ian Fleming(007 Author) and Daley Thompson(Olympic Athlete).... along with the more well-known ones such as Brian Cox,The Average White Band and Winston Churchill.... Not to forget all the other legends from the worlds of Politics, Music,Theatre,Art,Writers and Sport-George Galloway, Brian Cox, MIchael Marra, Ricky Ross, DannyWilson,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The friendly people, the amazing views over the Tay, the Rep, the parks.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From McGonagall to International Book Prize From Science Sensation to Arts Centre From Botanical Garden to Dens Park From yacht racing to ancient warship From Bell Rock Lighthouse to Balgay Observatory From Desperate Dan to Captain Scott From Championship Golf to Championship Curling From aerobatics over the Tay to freezing new year swims across the Tay From seals basking by the old bridge to skeins of geese above it From a visionary Repertory Company to world beating Cancer Researchers Are we A city of culture? No, we are THE City of Culture
<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> 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> It is a very fast developing city. Its place in Scientific discoveries is irreplaceable and the collaborations of creative disciplines! Dundee is a little heaven of Britain and whoever comes here falls in love from the first sight.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Don't let the reputation fool you. It's way out of date. Dundee was my home for 2011 and 2012 and I enjoyed every minute of it. A beautiful setting for a city looking out across the silvery Tay. I met many good people and the town inspired me to be successful. A part of me will always be from Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the perfect sized city. Everything is close and you can walk the distances easily or take a bike. The location is also perfect. It's close to the sea and at the same time close to the bigger cities and the Highlands. A walk along the river Tay when the sun sets is always special!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> broughty ferry beach in all weathers
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are many 'secret' ballrooms in houses in the city with sprung floors.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> ....there's a fabulous zoo with lots of animals including bears, wolves, lemurs and Scottish wildcats. It's called Camperdown Wildlife Centre and, because it's run by Dundee City Council, the entry fee is really low
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For such a small city, Dundee has so much going for it- one of the top art colleges in the UK producing graduates who go on to be Turner prizewinners and scooping most of the awards at the London graduate exhibitions; a multi-cultural society that mixes well; taxi drivers who are full of amazing stories and knowledge; one of the driest, sunniest climates in the UK; gorgeous sunsets!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So much within the city and so much around the city - a diversity of countryside - river, beach, hills etc. - just minutes away. Wonderful!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hugely supportive and inclusive student culture. The West End of Dundee is a hub for all sorts of student activity and promotes a truly welcoming vibe. The number of independent traders and retailers along places such as the Perth Road makes Dundee thrive and elude individuality. It is great to see residents supporting local business and hailing from Derry, the current city of culture, I can see how winning this bid could only boost Dundee's already growing culture sector.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am surprised and reminded on a daily basis just how great this city really is.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The traditional music scene, the Wighton centre monthly concerts and weekly tuition, the Fisherman's open sessions every Thursday in the Ferry and Tuesday in Mennies, the folk night at Clark's every Sunday, to name a few. Dundee's vibrant music scene spans the generations, from Tayside Young Fiddlers to Sheena Wellington. We more than pull our weight in keeping traditional music alive in Britain.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A Dundee local, Jenny Wood-Allen MBE, set the world record for being the oldest female marathon finisher. She walked her last London marathon in 2002 at the age of 90.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The quirky city centre public art embedded in the street furniture and hidden in open view in buildings + Active cultural calendar and venues + People as chatty and open as Glaswegians + what's round the corner ...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the beauty of Dundee, from the Law Hill until the River Tay. Love the poem engraved in stone as you walk by the river and how majestic the Discovery Ship is. I love to live in the city of discoveries and innovation!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sunniest city in UK, in an exquisite setting on the Silvery Tay. Small and compact yet has with a vibrant social and academic environment, including two Universities.
<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> The most exciting thing for me recently was discovering all about the law tunnel! It would be amazing to be able to see it and walk through a piece of history that had been shut away for so long.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee - sunniest city in Scotland, fact!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has all the good things of a city, but in seconds you can be in beautiful countryside if you so choose; sandy beaches, balmy days, intense forests, snowy peaks, big skied freedom &amp; beauty.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from the law hill is one of Dundee's hidden gems and allows you to see the evolving story of the changes occurring in Dundee, and still view it's past, it's present and its future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's culture is about diversity. We have an award winning professional theatre company who also involve the people of the city through their outreach programmes, and provide the opportunity for amateurs to perform on the professional stage. The city's pubs also provide many local and touring groups the opportunity to play every weekend - the choice and the quality is excellent, especially during Dundee Blues Bonanza.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is absolutely packed with cute little off the wall cafés and bars, a great art and science scene, and a vibrant and innovative university. For a fairly small city, it packs a lot in! To win the city of culture award would serve to boost all of these things and enhance the city even more.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most stunning waterfront in Europe. Looking towards the west at any time, absolutely incomparable experience.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The incredible contribution to the history of comics is one of the great stories of Dundee. Sure, everyone knows about DC Thomson's The Dandy and The Beano, but who knows about the Amazing Mr X, Britain's first homegrown superhero created by DCT? The lost comics studios of the 1940s? That Grant Morrison, one of the world's most reknowned comics writers, got his start at DCT? I teach the only postgraduate degree in Comics Studies at the University of Dundee, and want to put Dundee on the map as THE centre of Comics study and research! And we need a comics museum in Dundee!
<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 history of the city is fascinating
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We Dundee... A city brimming over with design, creativity and optimism; warm and welcoming people with resilience and determination to succeed; fantastic jewellers, artists and designers (young talent: Scarlett Erskine, Leanne Evans, Hayley Scanlon); creative entrepreneurs like Vanilla Ink and the Fleet Collective where collaboration and talent ignite; the Parlour Cafe and Jessie's Kitchen; so many shows, exhibitions, festivals and events from the universities, the Rep, the DCA, the theatres, the galleries &amp; museums; and a stunning location to live, work and enjoy. My Dundee is fabulous!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The mad amount of creative ideas that come out of a wee city in the North East of Scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Steeped in heritage but with a modern vibe, Dundee is a friendly and cosmoploitan city which somehow manages to maintain a respect for its roots in industry.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You find that the people who put Dundee down have never even been there! I love Dundee and the people of Dundee - they're absolutely straightforward and real. Couthie is the word for it. It's the 'biggest village' in Scotland - you can't walk through Dundee city centre without bumping into somebody you know, or at least seeing a few familiar faces and giving them a wee nod of recognition. Dundee's position on the Tay estuary is also one of the most beautiful settings of any city in Europe - come and see for yourself! (Carol Greig)
I'm just checking in, come back soon!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love RARA and the pretty vacant showrooms and the creativity it encourages through selling vintage and pieces from local designers. It's like a little treasure chest.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Culture is more than just art, theatre and buildings it is also about history and social morals and I believe Dundee is second to none on these areas. 1777 Dundee Joseph Knight a “Negro” slave won his freedom from his master Wedderburn when he successfully argued that “slavery was not recognised by Scots Law and runaway slaves (or 'perpetual servants') could be protected by the courts, if they wished to leave domestic services or were resisting attempts to return them to slavery in the colonies”. This was in effect abolishing slavery 100 years before the UK Parliament. Dundee also has Mary Slessor who moved from Aberdeen to Dundee at the age of 11, Lily walker and many many more who stood up against tyranny and injustice to change the political and moral culture of our city and our country to make it more caring and equal for all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The wealth and diversity of creative individuals all in such a close and accessible proximity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee's green spaces! It is a small place with lots of country parks. I love being in a bustling city but with the choice of seeking a quiet spot, surrounded by nature if I wish.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Traditional Music is kept alive by a small group of musicians, not just from Dundee, but from all over. They perform for free to anyone who listens, keeping traditions arrived. The Fishermans Tavern Session on a Thursday night, is just 1 of Dundee's hidden gems.
<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> 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> World-class music events like the Jazz Festival where I saw the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, by far one of the best concerts of my life.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Living out with the city, I find it very uplifting travelling over the bridge to what I consider my hometown. There is a great creative buzz floating around in all that friendliness. DCA, SDT, the Rep to name only a few, have together raised the profile and given us a city to be proud of - Dundonians are proud people and now they have a lot to be proud about!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Aberdeen &amp; Grampian Chamber of Commerce wish Dundee the best of luck in becoming the UK City of Culture. The City of Dundee has our full support as the only Scottish representative.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I've come to this place to learn new skills and never planned to stay. That was about 8 years ago. Ever since then this city has kept me fed, happy, working, learning, experiencing amazing new things, meeting great new people and not wanting to leave.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The reinvention! I am in Australia, where the 'History Cold Case' series was recently shown on SBS, one of our free-to-air public broadcasters. And it was uplifting to see the work of Professor Sue Black and her colleagues. It really put Dundee onto the map!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was always very fond of the rich offering of non-high-street-chain shops in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have grown not to be surprised but to relish the amount of creativity this city fosters. From the art school and far beyond. The initiatives, artist run spaces, music, collectives and individual driving forces who make this city their home and make it amazing.
<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> It has everything we need in terms of culture: we have the DCA with it's exhibitions and workshops and the cinema which brings films not always shown at Cineworld. Both cinema's have regular showings of live opera from the Met, and cineworld had regular showings of big rock bands. Soon we will have the V&amp;A which I'm so looking forward to. In terms of leisure we have a brand new swimming pool opening soon, and Dundee has two major league football clubs and several amatuer clubs. There are many great places to eat like Marco Polo in the centre of town and several Indian and Turkish restaraunt up the Perth Road. There are many places to drop in for coffee and home made food like the wonderful T An Cake (not sure I've spelled that right) There is also a wide variety of shops including tradtional shops like Braithwaites who are sellers of teas and coffees from around the world. Last, but not least, is the setting of the city itself: there are many green spaces with Camperdown Park as the main place to go for a picnic and a stroll, there are the walks along the Riverside, and there are the beautiful beaches at Broughty Ferry....and beyond, the coastal scenery going toward Monifeith and Carnoustie. I came to Dundee 25 years ago to College and much has changed in the city since, except it's friendliness and welcome of the outsider. With the two universities and colleges and the Duncan of Jordanston School of Art, Dundee is a cosmapolitan city, with students from around the world and Indian, Pakistani, Polish and Romanian folk settling in the city and rubbing along together very well. Dundee has many churches; a beautiful mosque and a Sihk Gudwarra. This melting pot gives the city it's richness and expansiveness. I now live across the water in Fife but feel Dundee is my city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is vibrant with a historic combination of post-industrial feel coupled with an exciting new and positive outlook. The cultural heritage of the Tay, the UKs largest river by volume, and its gateway to the iconic mountains of scotland give it a unique feel. Being new to Dundee and having fresh eyes, the thing that strikes me most is the friendliness and desire to get things right. This includes ambitious plans for sustainable futures, and a University that is at the heart of ideals for transformation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its tenacity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> One of the great hidden secrets of Dundee is tin roof. Its an new art studio which has hosted a few great gigs which, I was lucky enough to attend. Just the once. I really hope to pop along again soon. The atmosphere was brilliant. Everyone enjoying the music with a nice cold beer (there was no fridge it was just freezing!). Not to worry though, there was a nice fire out the back and when the music got a bit intense you could take a break and stroll through their gallery. It was some pretty funny cartoon sketches when i was there. The music was everything from metal to folk. Whatever your into you'll enjoy tin roofs' events. Unless you don't like art or music of course. In that case get off the bid for city of culture. Swine!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Highland cattle beside Riverside Drive! Seals in the Tay! But most of all, to a long transplanted Canadian, the people of Dundee. I'm proud to say I live here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A small city with a big image: Universities, hospitals, museums, music, films, sport, hotels, restaurants, shopping, transport, bingo, discos, nightclubs, theatres, workshops, Dundee holds its own with other cities. But there are also beautiful flowerbeds and gardens, beaches and castles. Dolphins and seals swim before us and the Aurora Borealis lights the skies. Dundee has produced too many famous people to list here. Visitors are always surprised at the diversity of culture in this warm-hearted and generous city. I love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its ability to adapt and reinvent itself in terms of hardship
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived out of this great City for 25 years, visit as often as I can, and now I'm heading home. It's Dundee's time and I for one don't want to miss it. If any City deserves it's place in the world and recognition for it's contribution, for all manner of wonderful reasons, then here's my vote. 'Dundee is like a light across my heart' - Michael Marra. This covers it for me. Good luck Dundee. You deserve it.

See All Backers

:)

×