We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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Viewing the heavens through the (public) Mills observatory telescope. the sparks of light from the Art College annual show.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> women were appreciated and treated with respect as they were the breadwinners during the war period and after as many worked in the jute mills to earn money for the family.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A history that could compare with any other major city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has deserved City of Culture status for a long time now. In our city we have so much in the way of arts and culture that celebrate our own local history as well as what Dundee has done for Scotland, the UK and the world. A lot of people have worked incredibly hard to get our city to where it is now and the recognition is rightfully deserved.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing. I've always loved the city and the people in it. There's a lot of genuinely nice and helpful people on the city despite the image that is often portrayed by other parts of Scotland. There's nowhere in Scotland that I'd rather live.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's amazing history of artistic talent - for example the Celtic and symbolist movement in the 1890s and 1900s, formed by amazing artists like John Duncan, Stewart Carmichael and George Dutch Davidson, whose work is still staggeringly beautiful and mysterious today. Plus all the great comics artists like Dave Sutherland, a living legend who has drawn The Bash Street Kids every week for 51 years - give him a knighthood now!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is such a friendly city. People will welcome you and help you out in any way they can. I moved here 10 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did - I've made so many wonderful friends. There's such a buzz about Dundee - from great pubs like Clarks and the Phoenix, to the music scene, the university, the literary and creative people - everyone is so proud of what they've got here. Top that with all the sunshine, beautiful Broughty Ferry, the river, beach, parks, views, shops and museums and it's just got everything. I love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a fantastic place! You have to visit to believe it.
<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> Dundee warms my heart. It is the city I fell in love in, made my best friends in and have grown up in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the small grassroots voluntary arts organisations to the organisations, teams and Directors of the city's notable arts venues, to business that invests and sponsors culture in Dundee. Everyone has a voice and space to discuss, join in and start up. Its an inclusive city where art and culture are not out of bounds or highbrow, its open to anyone.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> People often think of Dundee in terms of what it used to be, but come here and have their opinions turned completely around by how awesome our city is now and the wealth of things to do and see.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Only in Dundee can one find such an eclectic choice of specialist shops, in particular specialist food shops
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The remnant stubs of the original Tay road bridge, a reminder of the disaster of 1879; a street named 'Peek-o-day Lane' because of all the smoke from the mills &amp; factories, a nod to the industries of the day; a statue dedicated to William Wallace where he first killed another man as a young boy; and the High School of Dundee, which educated Wallace as a sect of travelling monks (the Monks of Lindores) before it was built here in 1239; all glimmers of Dundee's rich history &amp; colourful past.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view eastwards down the ancient Nethergate, with the spire of St Paul's Cathedral in the distance, is one of the country's most dramatic and under-rated street vistas.
<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> Dundee is situated beside the seaside and the Sidlaw Hills. Take the children to Broughty Ferry, build sandcastles, paddle, spot the dolphins, watch the busy Sand Martins, take a stroll through Barnhill Rock Garden. Take them into the city to sample the wonderful parks, Camperdown with its children's zoo and play area. Dudhope Park with its Castle and Skateboard Park, Baxter Park, Victoria Park, Caird Park the list goes on. Climb the Law and see the magnificent bridges and the views of the Kingdom of Fife. Head into the Sidlaw Hills for rambling. There's plenty to see and do in and around Dundee. Come visit and see for yourself.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Discovery, McManus Galleries, Caird Hall, Law Hill, The Waterfront and so many more things is what makes Dundee such a wonderful place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's the generosity, I help organise the community festival Dundee WestFest and despite having no real budget, the lengths people go to to help us make it a great week of events. Musicians, Performers, Walks and Talks Organisers, Poets, Stall holders, Venue Providers and all the business that help with in kind support and the audience for all the events, all so very generous, a real community effort. Thank you for being Dundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> D'arcy Thompson museum within the University of Dundee. Packed full of beautifully presented gems of the natural world (including Shackelton's Penguin!) and a lovely collection of art inspired by nature. And it's free!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Caird Park - growing up I loved going to Caird Park, we would go to the Carnival when it was there, play in the grounds of the Castle, the old cemetry, at the ponds... it was always a great adventure! Dundee has amazing parks, people from all area's of Dundee have easy access to large parks.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm often astonished by extraordinary architecture in our city centre streets, especially if you look upwards at the rooflines. Dundee has some magnificent buildings evoking earlier periods in our city's long and famous history.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> D'Arcy Thompson Museum, Dundee Botanic Gardens, The Observatory at Balgay Hill are hidden secrets for naturalists and curious people who want to Discover!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> After more than a decade in Cambridge, I moved to Dundee on Sep 2013. I was reluctant at first, however its quirky charm has fascinated me. It is a welcoming place where people on the street greats you when you pass by, where the sharing of arts and human intellect is in the air. The breathtaking views, the DCA, the McManus, the discovery point, the multitude of independent coffees and restaurants, the vibrant atmosphere, the fresh and buzzing confidence of the waterfront redevelopment. Dundee is a unique place, to me culture is all around.
<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)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the first time I visited Dundee (2010) it felt it had something magical about it. I have lived there since 2010 and it still does have that magic. It still manages to surprise me every time I go for a walk along the riverside. I am a Fine Art student at DJCAD and i can proudly say that student life is great and I love the university of Dundee. I have taken a couple of images that have managed to portray its beauty and at the same time some of its history.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Grandad Mo is a hidden gem: only someone who is 83 could sing The Road and the Miles to Dundee with such understanding and tenderness. When he was a wee boy he used to nip across to Newport on the Fifie and walk to Wormit beach with his dog. He would look out over the Tay, through the railway bridge, to the jute factory chimneys and church steeples of Dundee. He joined the Post Office as a telegram boy when he was 14 and worked there for more than 40 years. Dundee is his home, come and see why!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's old New Year tradition of dressed herrings - which will be celebrated by Duncan of Jordanston graduates Derek and Deirdre Robertson as part of the Cupar arts festival this October
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many hidden treasures; it is steeped in unspoken history, for example 'the walled City'or the many networks of tunnels that still exist around the City. For a city I find it a very calming place to live, with the water and the trees. People are friendly and helpful. The future for Dundee is exciting with an extremely positive vibe.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Literary Festival. Something for all ages and supporting reading.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich amount of history. Walk off any Main Street and find something. Eg. Cemetery in centre of town, law hill, verdant works, unicorn, Tay bridge. Wherever you go there is history shaping the city,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The collaborative and supporting atmosphere of the visual arts scene in Dundee is amazing. I have visited for various exhibitions, projects, fairs and talks and always felt an amazing energy, passion and commitment from everyone involved. Spaces like DCA, Generator Projects and Tin Roof are all doing great things and I'm really excited to see what new things spring up over the next 5 years.
<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 band REVOLVER is the best Beatles tribute band in the world
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> its simplicity! Dundee is amazing, it offers warmth to strangers and absorbs them in its culture. Good luck Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee sits on a beautiful location comparable to some of the most stunning cities in the world. The excitement in the City of how this will be harnessed through the development of the Waterfornt is palpable. Dundonians are already proud people with a rich cultural heritage and we are all backing the changes in the City that will afford us even greater pride in where we live.
<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> it's alive, diverse, has art, history and Scottish dance theatre!! dont let it loose so much from so little and can be huge!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The University's Saturday Evening Lecture Series - where town and gown meet, with no pretensions!
<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> Dundee sunsets are its secret, reflecting off the the river, within the sky and within the summer air enjoyed over a glass of wine enjoying friends company after a busy week in the beer garden at DCA or Dukes Corner or in your own garden. Dundee's a beautiful city with so much to offer but so often overlooked. Time to celebrate this wonderful place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My musical home. I was 15 when I played my first ever gig at The Shore in Dundee. A city with a thriving and diverse music scene like no other.
Su, Panda Su
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of people and culture Dundee city has is amazing. very inspirational for me and my family.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm constantly surprised by the way people in the city have - and respond positively to - good ideas. You would expect this to happen everywhere, but it's not always the way. People here get that it's good to do creative things together.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> little coffee shops with amazing homemade cakes
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee went into an industrial nosedive in the 1970s, which I remember well. After many painful years it has emerged as a vibrant university town humming with energy, youth and ideas. It is wonderful to see old jute mills converted to artists' studios, to visit a refurbished McManus, to eat at the DCA and the Rep. The waterfront project is well under way, as is a physic garden being constructed by volunteers at Ninewells. Energy is the word !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm always impressed by the wealth of creativity shown by the ordinary person in Dundee - from Amateur stage shows to local bands to individual aspiring artists creating interest around the city.
<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> A beautiful city in a beautiful location with a great tradition of industry, education and the arts.

My favourite location is Riverside Drive, the walk between the two bridges is always stunning regardless of the weather
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a Dundonian I love this place , spectacular setting on a river visited by dolphins and seals , small enough to feel like a community, close enough to bigger cities if you want then, filled and surrounded by parks and a host of activities, monikie is my hidden treasure , drive for half and hour and you are in the countryside where you can walk till your hearts content , 40 mins more and you are in glenshee, where you can ski for hours without the queues.... What more can you ask for?
<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 Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, as part of the University of Dundee, is ranked among the top art colleges in the UK for research, and led the country in student satisfaction surveys. As a testament to the quality of Education provided at DJCAD, its students have won more awards at the London New Designers exhibition than students from any other institution in the UK for two consecutive years.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I just love that it's cooler than everyone thinks when you dig a little deeper.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have just arrived in Dundee . I find it to be a beautiful city- in many ways. The views you get over the River Tay are amazing. I enjoy walking around Dundee. The people in Dundeee are so nice and welcoming. I like the theates and the fact that dundee creatively pushes boundaries. I could definitely live here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have a contemporary arts centre, a reportary theatre company, Scottish dance Theatre, The Scottish School fo Contemporary Dance, Duncan of Jordanstone Art's School, a Concert Hall, and a centre of world class journalism and medical research......How much more cultured can you get!?!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> EAST COAST IS THEE BEAST COAST! FLUME BASHING @ LOLYMPIA, ERT @ TINNERS + G-BEAST, TUNES &gt; RHC, PALZ @ DUNDOOM/DUNDIZZLE/D-TOWN.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The thing I love most about Dundee is it's creative culture. Over the years I have seen many wonderful artistic and musical talents thrive within the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Only in my second year in Dundee, after going to the Fireworks display in Baxter Park, did me and my flatmate go for a wonder and found ourselves at the city quay. We had never known about it and were amazed, it was night time and looked amazing by moonlight. So we walked about and explored the ship near by....it's a lovely part of the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has to be the most gorgeous location for a city ever! There is nothing like coming home over the bridge and seeing your city in all its glory. It makes me :-)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's a quiet spirit of determination, generosity and ambition found in Dundee that's positive and uplifting, but hard to find elsewhere.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the individual shops in areas like Broughty Ferry &amp; in the West End. Such a refreshing change from other cities. Also the Cheesery in Exchange Street in the city centre - we need more places like this in every town &amp; city. Dundee sets a great example
<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> Great mix of people.
Good cultural mix.
Set on the silvery tay.
Climb the Law - see for miles.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not just a town. Born and bred there and although I live many miles away now I'm always returning to my home town with its fabulous memories. Structural Dundee has changed dramatically over the years but its the people who make a place and Dundee certainly has a mixture of all sorts.
Great people, great city and great memories!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The mix of the place - professions and creatives mixing to give something greater than the sum of the parts
<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> Dundee offers a richness in cultural activities next to none. And all so close and accessible!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a pupil who is and has been part of many Dundee Schools activities, such as Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, the Youth Music Initiative and Dundee Schools Orchestras, I have been able to perform on stage at the Caird Hall and the Whitehall Theatre, I have made many new friends and I have learned many different skills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Despite being stuck in between oil rich Aberdeen and tourist attraction Edinburgh the people of Dundee continue to forge ahead in transforming the city from an old industrial one to one of high-tech business, excellent education and an arts, and culture scene that is becoming more tourist and citizen friendly every day, regardless of boom and bust economics.
While proud of our heritage, the people of Dundee continue to focus on their future, making it a better and brighter place for tomorrow.
<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> This'll sound silly, but I love the little statues in the city centre, like the Overgate Penguins and the monkey - they're small things but they make me smile whenever I see them
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunshine! Dundee is Scotland's sunniest city. Plus, there's a real buzz about the city city these days. It's a place I choose to live in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Being a past student of UoD, I can honestly say I would have rather gone nowhere else. The best student union in the UK and a strong student culture that is really celebrated by the entire city. Dundee is a city with the best parts of a busy city and a friendly town, the community really gets together and is united through love of their hometown.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A Great Place to live, with stuff always on!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a vibrant music culture, there is a lot of support for local bands that play regularly around the city at various venues. I like the fact that you can go to different bars and coffee shops and there will be open mic nights on where you can sit and listen, get up and play or ask for requests. The jazz and blues festival is a great asset to the city. In addition the botanical gardens is beautiful, I like to go have a coffee and wander through the gardens.
<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> This is such an amazing place to bring up children with so many interesting museums including the science centre and Discovery and a fantastic number of parks with fabulous play equipment across the city including Camperdown Park with its wonderful wildlife centre and brilliant Ranger services.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Bustling atmosphere. Something's always happening.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Fireworks night fireworks! An amazing display and a great place for people to come together. They always mark the start of a special time in the year and I look forward to seeing them again this year.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> for being so small there is loads to see we have done alot with what we have a deserve to win!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Scotland's the home of invention and Dundee's its Scottish home
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There"s a willingness to make things happen; people listen, consider and act and it feels as if the door is open. It's a city which aspires and inspires.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every yeah Dundee's DCA holds a 4 day horror-fest called Dundead (and one day Dundead events all year around) which is where they show double-bills of old and new horror movies. That's how I became the horror movie buff I am today!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The ship Discovery is a great icon in my city let hope more people discover Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Close community and group of friends, a smaller city bringing more of us together.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Being a student at DJCAD the city offers so much in the range of influence and inspiration, that's why I love it here, there's so much to offer for students at the uni. Shame the V&amp;A can't come quicker.
<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> Dundee's maritime heritage often overshadowed by Glasgow but non the less ust as important. The Discovery,Unicorn and North Carr.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having moved from Aberdeen I say the people are much more grounded and friendy. The streets are clean and there is a huge amount of creativity going on with the Waterfront project.

So glad I moved to Dundee.........
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I first moved hear 12 years ago and was warned about Dundee's reputation. I have been constantly surprised and delighted by Dundee, it's setting, the buzz, whats available to do but for me the hidden gem of Dundee is the Dundonians - friendly and with a quick wit. I love this city for so many reasons but mainly for the people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I meet many international people who are living in Dundee and they impress me by finding out about the extraordinary range of activities which people can get involved with, so many of which draw international participation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> there is a great vibe from up and coming designer makers in the city which is wonderful to see. i love the little independent shops that have managed to survive the recession and the new ones opening up recently - keep up the good work of reclaiming the high street !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the beauty of the Tay
the people's pride in their city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Enjoying the views from the Top of the Tower Building cafe, (University of Dundee, main campus) and see how changes of the weather are reflected upon the city, the rooftops, the parks, the bridges and the river. And if you are lucky, this is prime location for spotting rainbows in the distance.
<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> How friendly the people are.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee for me will always be the place where I found love as my future husband hails from is glorious shores!

As an American who moved to Scotland 6 years ago, choosing to live in Dundee will always be one of my greatest decisions! Loved the university experience I got while there and the city will always have a place in my heart. It is a place that has seen so many changes over the years and is constantly working to improve and rejuvenate itself.

Little city with a big personality!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a unique feel to it, it has a tradition of accessible culture much of which comes from the working people of the city. It has always been enriched by people moving to the city, many of whom came to visit and decided to stay. Dundee is waking up to its potential future, recognising the value of it past and embracing the changes happening to the city which are occurring now!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The quality of light around our city is amazing. The combination of a huge estuary and big sky means Scotland's sunniest city has a unique quality of light. Not exactly hidden; but perhaps not always noticed and appreciated. It took a spell of 5 years working in Oban Monday to Friday to make me fully appreciate this natural feature of our beautiful city. It lifted my spirit when I drove back into the city every Friday night...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed by the vibrancy of the arts community in and around Dundee. and feel proud to have many of these artists as my friends. I came to the area to restore a ruined Baronial castle to the north of the city, in an attempt to bring back built heritage from the brink. However. so impressed have I been with the artists in the area, I would love to make the castle a cultural centre as well ... perhaps for 2017?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It sounds daft, but often when I'm in the queue at Tesco on Riverside, I'll have a look out the window across the Tay and think just how lucky I am to live in Dundee – with the sun streaming down the Tay, it really is a gorgeous view. The river has been underutilised in the past, but with the V&amp;A opening, and the redevelopment of the centre, hopefully that will be addressed. And while Dundee has a great view across the river, those on the other side have a great view of Dundee’s skyline.
<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> Dundee has always been a fantastic location. Within no time you are either at the sea or in the hills. The law, parks and museums are great places to visit and with the waterfront development well under way Dundee will be a great city of culture.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Some beautiful old buildings, an exciting waterfront, good shopping streets, plans for new V&amp;A gallery.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Cofaidh 's Ceilidh (Coffee and a blether)
This is a group of gaelic speaking people, both learners and fluent, who meet fortnightly in the Dundee Repertory Theatre on a Saturday afternoon. It is an opportunity for fluent/native speakers to keep their language alive and to help learners use the language which they feel is part of their heritage. It also attracts those in the surrounding area who have an interest in the gaelic language.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of wonderful musicians, people and their own humour. The redevelopment that is going on is so overdue and when finished will place Dundee well and truly on the map of culture where it so rightly belongs.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the city's dynamic centre, within 15 minutes you are in beautifully peaceful countryside or at the beach with the waves crashing on the shore. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
<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> Since returning to Dundee after an absence of 30 years I have been truly amazed at the can do attitude of the people here and the extraordinary determination to transform the city, which despite all the challenges, is bearing fruit. What is being achieved by Dundee is an example for all to follow and if awarded UK City of Culture status will fully merit the honour and Dundee will do justice to it benefiting not just Dundee and its surrounds but all of the UK. I've worked in cities round the world but none have the spirit of Dundee.

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