:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Dundee’s industrial history as a centre for textile production is apparent throughout the city. Numerous former jute mills remain standing and while some lay derelict, many have been converted into alternate usages. Of particular note are the Tay Works, built by the Gilroy Brothers c.1850-1865, Camperdown Works in Lochee, which built and owned by Cox Brothers, one of Europe’s largest jute manufacturing companies, and begun in 1849, and Upper Dens Mill and Lower Dens Works, built by the Baxter Brothers in the mid 19th century.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Science Festival which takes place in November reaches over 14,000 people over a two week period. Events are really diverse ranging from people like Ben Miller talking about his book - 'It's not rocket science' to family fun days and community events. This festival is only three years old and is Scotland's fastest growing science festival. Since its inception three years ago, more than 60 partners now join in annually to put on these amazing events and what is really exciting is that it isn't just scientists. Restaurateurs, hairdressers, museum workers, comedians, teachers, pupils, community leaders - to name a few - all come together to celebrate science, innovation and discovery. In a city like Dundee where science is part of Dundee's heritage and culture, I find this truly exciting.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Modern architechture mixes with old, a centre of excellence on so many fronts, new shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, a varied spread of cultural entertainment-what more could anyone ask for. Already very popular with university students and a safe environment for all.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Junior Bike 2012 (&2006) organised and funded by Michelin Tyre. Supporting the young children of the city and encouraging them to be active as well as safe.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Loadsoweemensingin at the Rep Theatre!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived in Dundee 3 times: in the early 70s, the early 80s and now since the early 2000s: physically, the city has been transformed and mostly for the better, with some glaring exceptions. But the people have not really changed - still as friendly, as awkward, as forthright, as loud as ever. They prove you don't have to go to glasgow for these sterling qualities. And the people, not the DCA, the Rep, the bridges, the Tay, the Law - all unique - , are what make the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Discovery.
The McMannus.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A small city maybe but it has everything you need - culture (museums and theatre), shops, universities - and all on your doorstep. Plus it has Dundonians - some of the friendliest people one could ever hope to meet. I love it here!

<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> I discovered my love of independent cinema at the DCA whilst a student in the city. I had been eating dinner with friends and stumbled upon the small cinema in the building. That night opened my eyes to a wealth of thoughtful, original films - British and international - and I have since studied evening film courses and joined film clubs. All thanks to a fun night at the DCA!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee used to be "jam, jute and journalism". Now it is vibrant, with mainstream and arthouse cinemas, live concerts, good theatres, a wide range of restaurants, including those specialising in local cuisine as well as a variety of different ethnic cuisines, and both old and new places to relax and socialise. The fact that the museums and heritage sites are here is just the tip of the iceberg. Dundee offers something for everyone.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> right opposite the DUSA students union exist - down the little road to look out over the water. There is a little bench with te most amazing views out over the tay.

I found out on my garduation day that as we past my grandad proposed to my gran there - a very special place and one of my Dundee Uni memories!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Balgay Hill and the observatory.
The Law hill.
The riverside.
The public parks and good network of path/cycle routes.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Hidden gem of Scotland

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city that is green, warm in the summer and has a good community spirited people. Having moved up from Plymouth 6 years ago and lived here with my wife in Tayside in a multicultural relationship I have been accepted as part of the community and has had few problems.

Dundee is a family orientated city with lots of family activities that are cost effective.
After returning from Plymouth when I see the sign welcome to Dundee, I get that feeling of being at home.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's like Glasgow's wee bruv!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's amazing how much the city is developing, The new waterfront with the V&A will be another outstanding addition to a fabulous city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> People come to the city after often having heard negative comments about it, only to discover a warm welcoming people friendly city with a "small town feeling". It's not just a destination it's the ideal location to base yourself in, being less than two hours public transport from Scotland's three largest city's. As well as other highlights such as Stirling, St Andrews and Glen shee and Braemar. Why not have a homely base instead of packing and unpacking every day, and enjoy a plentiful selection of affordable accommodation.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's forty years since I left Dundee after graduating. I still hold very dear memories of the Deep Sea fish restaurant on the Perth Road. Fifteen years after leaving, on a visit to relatives, my wife and I went to the Deep Sea. It wasn't open so we joined the queue - and got chattinng to the folks in the queue, several of whom knew relatives of mine. And the, the staff remembered us in the restaurant. My wife, who hails from Surrey, still thinks Dundee is the friendliest palce we're been to.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Have lived here for 37 years and the difference in that time is huge - wonderful parks, flowers, tidiness, less litter at streets and beach and the McManus gallery refurbishment. The advent of the V and A and waterfront developments will have a further positive impact on Dundee.
City of Culture status would enhance even further. Good luck!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> DCA and culture generally

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Uplifting views over the river, great galleries, good range of music and theatre and the liveliness of an ever-changing student population married to the tradition and continuity of the long-term residents. All backed with good sport and outstanding opportunites to explore historic sites and a range of beautiful countryside.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is open and welcoming with a diverse and vibrant arts culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Street Art and the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Multicultural people, from many countries and backgrounds, all live happily together without segregation or differentiation. Dundee is a friendly, happy city!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view of the Tay, with the rail bridge and beyond. Every day it's different and every day it is beautiful!

It will comfort and uplift you.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> location, location, location

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having recently started living here (moved from London) I have been struck by the warmth and very welcoming attitude from all those I have met - at work, the bus drivers, shop assistants, various tradesmen to name a few. The compact city has a great history with hidden gems around many corners. The old city walls to the west, a medieval house in the city centre now the Backpackers hostel, the incomparable moodiness of the Tay, RSS Discovery and of course the Unicorn. So understated, so much to shout about.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Born and educated in Dundee from 1946 -1972 I have been astounded by the transformation of the city over the last 40 years. As the transformation continues returning to the city and the University are always a revelation. Dundee continues to be a vibrant visionary city and shall always have a place in my heart.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amasing river and extremely friendly people

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Schools Music Theatre an education as well as friends for life.

<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> I think Broughty Ferry is one of Dundee's little gems, lovely little seaside village, great little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> dundee is real, people from dundee are all real, raw and honest. there is no pretentiousness here. what you see is what you get.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Chicken pilic at The Agacan

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved the museums. Dundee was the home of my ancestors and I found it an amazing place to visit

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is ‘Culture-tastic’. For Art lovers there is the award winning McManus Galleries or the DCA to visit. For music lovers, there are several vibrant pubs offering a diverse selection of music including the annual Blues Bonanza which attracts musicians from all over the world and bring people out in their thousands. Dundee is also steeped in History and provides great attractions like the Discovery and Unicorn ships or the Verdant Works highlighting Dundee’s past involvement as one of the world’s leading cities in the production of jute. Regular markets in the city square also provide a great selection of local and European foods.

<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> Broughty Ferry Beach - minutes from the City Centre

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No matter where one lives in Dundee, a view of the silvery Tay is very close. The river Tay is like a woman - ever interesting, ever questioning, ever fascinating. To see the seals on the sandbanks, when the tide is low, and to watch the bottle-nose dolphins leap and play, early on a summer's evening is an unforgettable joy.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love many things about Dundee, from the Theatre's with something for all ages, the Science centre, the Discovery and Verdant Works to trips to Broughty Ferry and a "donder" down the Perth Road. There is so much variety, you're never stuck for a park, a scenic walk, or a place to eat

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The incredible welcoming I received by all sort of organisations and people during the period of my PhD studies and which made my stay in Dundee an unforgettable time.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Returning to Dundee after a trip down south - crossing the Tay Bridge in the train and marveling at the beauty of the firth on either side of me.

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