We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

Baxter Park is an asset which is taken for granted. It’s a complete Joseph Paxton Park with many paths to promenade on, grass to lie on(just ignore the rumblings of victorians turning in their graves!), play parks for the children to climb on and a stunning stone pavilion to get married in. When did you last visit or encourage anyone else to visit?
Friends of Baxter park

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are a number of extremely talented amateur dramatic and musical groups and societies in the city. Dundee Rep boasts an excellent professional repertory company which, I believe, is unique in Scotland and rare in the UK as a whole.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> art24sevenMedia is the newest addition to Dundee's creative and cultural activity .. It is currently a hidden secret but hopefully not for too much longer ... It is set in the heart of the cultural quarter, right opposite the Rep Theatre and a minute from DCA and Q Gallery. It gives artists opportunity .. And art lovers another venue to source quality art!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The site where Mary Shelley stayed, our public observatory (only two in the UK), our incredible views over the Tay from the Law Hill, our parks, our beach, our football teams.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing view of the city as you walk over the bridge
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Huge variety of surprises we can find
<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> I was a wee lassie, living in a Dundee housing scheme, then i got involved in Youth Theatre at Dundee Rep - that was 30yrs ago!! I am still there!! - in my role as a community drama officer, i see daily the impact the arts have on peoples lifes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from The Law, the hub of the City. Each view is like the spokes on a bike with different cultural experiences awaiting in every direction. The South to the city centre the bridges and beyond the Tay to Fife. The South East to the grassy beach and the delights of the Ferry, and the bombs and biodiversity of Buddon ness. The East to Arbroath the birthplace of Scotland and the great beaches and cliffs of the east coast. The North East to the invention of the Bridie ,the Angus Glens and wild adventures, the North to Golden Eagles and the heart of the Highlands, and the North West to Birnham and Macbeth country. Finally the fantastic view to the West of the Tay Estuary of the Tay winding its way to the heart of Scotland.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Take a walk through Balgay Park on a frosty winter night. Wind your way up through the trees till the heavens open up above you. The observatory is there but you won't need it; the stars are close enough to touch.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The accent - no one sounds like us - bales of jute in every sentence!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Half Marathon - friendly and a great atmosphere
<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> I have lived in Dundee for over 20 years now and have watched it grown into an exciting cultural city. The city has some fantastic events including Dundee Women's Festival, Community and various music festivals. Hidden secrets ...The strong women from Dundee who have helped shape the wonderful City ;)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For a city of its size, Dundee has a wealth of cultural activities from the DCA, free lectures at the universities, theatres, an art gallery, to name but a few things - all within easy reach. The two universities and FE college have resulted ina youthful population and plenty of entertainment. Dundee is also ethnically diverse with with Polish, Russian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Philippine supermarkets. I moved here last year and wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is always trying to make things happen with visions and plans that will take years to complete but the passion is clear to see. It is full of innovative and creative businesses and individuals that are putting the City on the map on an international level.

That coupled with an ideal location with access to amazing scenery right on our doorstep just makes Dundee ideal.
<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> There are so many opportunities for everyone in particular children and young people in education, and in the community through clubs and groups. Opportunities to learn to play music in an orchestra, group or band through school and outside school too. Lots of things to see and do from the Rep, DCA, the Dundee Science Centre, the Observatory, to the lovely views from the Law Hill. The history of Dundee told in the Verdant works, Discovery Quay Centre or McManus Galleries. Dundee is the City of Discovery.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the DCA
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City Council&#039;s Housing Support Team.
We are still fairly unknown even by our tenants but can help with a wide range of problems to do with people&#039;s tenancies
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City of Discovery its all in the name so much to discover in and around the city. Lovely cultural area city centre and great park sand open spaces surrounding, so much versatility in a big village!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> With Bonnie Dundee you get Scotland in a nutshell.
Red squirrels in the city parks; beautiful Angus hills and wilderness and dolphins on your doorstep and waterfront: Your universities, art college, film school, theatres; the V&amp;A coming and yet a Sunday morning so quiet you can imagine you are in a village long ago where people still walk to, and dress to, go to church.
<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> Dundee has so many positive attributes from our two universities, burgeoning game industry, our waterfront project is going to be a game changer.

So many wondeful people/achievements have come from Dundee that winning the City of Culture would help the next generation achieve even more
<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> Beach, parks, forests, mountains within a half hour, brilliant scenes going on all the time. Just bra.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Coming from Edinburgh, I didn't know much about the rich history of industry and the variety in which it came in. But after studying at the university's art college for four years, I have learned a great deal about that history. I imagine a successful bit would help bolster and reignite the city's connection with what once made it a great place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How well Dundee is percieved and people love it after visiting. I have always known that Dundee was a great City and love showing visitors around our lovely City.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A walk up the law never gets old.
<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> The Howff offers a sanctuary in the middle of the city for a quiet conversation, a relaxed sandwich or just a moment of contemplation. Centuries of history offer snapshots of lives and a reminder that what's most important is what you leave behind for others.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a great place to go sailing on the River Tay. You can launch at Broughty Ferry and go to Perth or Norway!
<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 DoJ Art &amp; Design College (where I studied)

It doesn't have a fancy heritage like Glasgow or Edinburgh, therefore the students &amp; the staff have to rely on simply making great work and a lot of it. No sitting back and resting on old glories.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The purple lights in the trees on Perth Road.

The DCA!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a distinctive culture and tradition and is big enough to have at least one of everything, that makes a city worth living in and visiting - and of course there is more to come. It also a view from the top of the Law that takes your breath away - while also looking like a child's picture book of a city. Where else can you watch - all at the same time - a train crossing a bridge, a plane about to land, ships leaving harbour, and a cityscape set in the most beautiful natural surroundings.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from Wormit as the sun sets.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ive been around the world and yet the view entering Dundee from Fife across the Tay Road Bridge still gives me goosebumps.Simply astounding...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of Dundee is very broad and would excite those who are into its study.
<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> Voices in Harmony is a choir operating out of Whitfield Community Centre. Membership is around thirty plus and growing. The choir sings acappella and is led by Sarah Harrop who is very enthusiastic and inspirational.
Gigs are performed across the city including Marryatt Hall. Recently the choir worked in collaboration with Dundee Rep to perform "This Town" in Verdant Works.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You "Discover" it !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was a student here in the early 60's ( we were all StAndrews then! ) . It is so good to see how the University has established itself as a centre of excellence. These lectures demonstrate a willingness to reach out to the community on a very exciting way, attracting all ages on a Saturday evening. That's an achievement to be proud of.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Junior Bike 2012 (&amp;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> Loads of things about Dundee are awesome.

2 European Cup Semi finalists Dundee United FC and Dundee FC.

Some of the UK's top nightlife and fab cultural venues.

dundonians are awesome as well.

I have worked all over the uk and dundee is one of the best cities.

Lets win this thing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The plentiful times I have walked from the bustle of the city, along the waterfront, and spotted a little seal pup sunbathing near the Discovery in the coldest winter weather, have always warmed my heart. I love the contrast of the bustle and buildings with the tranquil nature, the city centre with the waterfront, the observatory and parks with the technology park.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The buzz around all of the cultural events; from fantastic productions at Dundee Rep Theatre to packed lectures on a Saturday night.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum! It's hidden away on Dundee University campus but has stuffed animals, skeletons and fossils from all around the world. A fascinating look at the work of a very intersting Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City Hall, Kinetic Sculpture, beautiful river across the hills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee just does things. No messing around. If they want something to happen they just make it so.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How we've grown up to be a city once again capable of inspiring, educating and encouraging our own, and those who become our own; proud of our past and confident about our future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Camperdown parkrun started 15 months ago, and since then has built a community from accross the city, of people who show up every week to run or volunteer, and enjoy being in the great outdoors of Camperdown park. The generosity and welcoming atmosphere created every week is the highlight of my week in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunshine, and endless summer days of digging our allotment up on the Law, enjoying a BBQ and the amazing view over to Fife...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history, the art and the science that hides round every corner. From the Gormley in the hospital to the modern architecture, to the statues and memories of Dundee's greatinventors, scientists and statesmen
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Brilliant city set in the most beautiful Scottish countryside. A large enough city to meet every need with a 'small town community'. I've lived in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee - Dundee by far is the best.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a technical educator at Dundee University's DJCAD, I'm amazed by the undergraduate student body who are - uniquely in the UK - so comfortable and adept at blending Art and Design skills with bleeding edge technologies. A great source of pride to those of us who guide them.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Small city, big influence
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sitting in Mennies bar and looking down on the beautiful curves of the Tay Bridge, nice.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Is the passion for creativity involving people from many different walks of life and situations.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think the city deserves this time in the sun (fingers crossed and not just a the UK's sunniest city) as so much more to Dundee than jam and jute. It is a city with swagger and one of Scotland's best kept secrets
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Duncan of Jordanston College of Art and Design is always a fantastic exhibition. I have to go at least 3 times each year because I dont want to miss anything!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Such a friendly city and also so much great music groups about. Choirs, Orchestras, bands etc.
<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> Surprises:
Delicious food served in excellent restaurants
Uninterupted views from the top of the Law Hill
Never a dull moment with Theatres, Cinemas and skating
Discovering the beauty and history of The Discovery
Entertainment to suit all tastes in Nightclubs and Pubs
Enviable position on the banks of the stunning Silvery Tay

From a Glaswegian living happily in Dundee for over 30 years.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best Tai Chi sessions are led by Iain Traynor at the Boomerang Hall, Albert Street, Stobswell. You can also volunteer at the Dundee Botanics Gardens, Perth Road - come and join us for lots of weeding, chipping, potting up and planting out - it's great exercise too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people, beaches, the Tay, its location, gateway to the countryside, Perth rd pubs, cafes, students and multi-culturalism.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Goldilocks analogy definitely fits Dundee juuust right! It's a cheeky chappy of a city with lots of surprises to keep you smiling (SPOILER: mosaic waiters will greet you outside Agacan, a fierce dragon rules the high street and penguins waddle around a triple whammy mega church, which faces Mecca)...

When the sun is shining and the water's sparkling, life feels pretty darn Dandy here, sprawled out on Magdalene Green or Baxter Park with some good tunes and funny people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's Parks are the nicest and most varied in any city I have been to. Magdalen Green has wonderful charm and is full of friendly people on a sunny day
<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> The beautiful sunrises when i walk to work looking over the river towards Fife, the daffs when they are out in bloom, the lovely parks and open spaces, the friendliness of the people, I have lived here all my life and I love it here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The historical nuggets that are under our noses every day are amazing we just dont recognise them.. Dundee is steeped in history which is not only important to the local area but Scotland, Uk and internationally. It is about time the City was recognised for its cultural diversity and its potential as an international focus for artistic and industrial development.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Tay, at any time of day. Sunrise, sunset, night-time... I can't count the number of times I've stopped, in awe, to look at it.
It's totally under-rated; and absolutely beautiful.

DJCAD, too. I'm having the best time of my life at art school in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Planning student at the University of Dundee. The city has changed so much in the space of less than a century from industrial to culturally-orientation. V&amp;A, DCA, The Waterfront, Discovery, McManus are only tips of a very large iceberg.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's hidden secrets are the people that live in it. I studied and lived in dundee for a long while and what amazes me most is the sincere smiles that resonates all around you, their willingness to help you settle in as a foreigner. Dundee boasts of a ground filled with enormous cultural heritage and art And I'm proud to be be associated with IT.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City of nature. Lush green, fantastic landscapes, stunning views of Tay from every corner of city. A city for nature lovers.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> W.A.S.P.S studio, kate pickering @vanillainkuk, mike press, djcad
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a small city...and yet full of surprises! It is a city of culture with culture hidden in every nook and cranny of the city. A hidden secret is the Dudhope Centre, Bharatiya Ashram which holds cultural events from around the world. They have the only Indian classical and Bollywood music and dance classes in the city and the group have performances all around the UK, particularly in Dundee. There are also Chinese and Indian lunch clubs, Bellydance and Martial arts classes which transform the Centre into a place where the creative buds are constantly buzzing!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Compared to other cities Dundee is very clean and litter free. The crocuses that come up in the middle of the roundabouts as well as all the daffodils on Magdalen Green and the Marie Curie Field of Hope (among other places) mean that Dundee always looks nice and well cared for. The fact that the people are friendly as well means that Dundee is a great place to visit.
<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> 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> The law hill is a fantastic place to see the whole City
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views of the estuary from the city, every time I see them, blow me away. Dundee is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The seals and dolphins don't hurt either (unless you are trying to windsail, in which case they can get in the way).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Anytime i think i would rather live in a bigger more 'cosmopolitan' place, i visit The Ferry. Changes my mind every time.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From it's unique cultural diversity to the well balanced synthesis between large-city and small community living, Dundee offers a unique balance which caters for everyone. Developed with environmental aesthetics in mind, the myriad of green spaces and waterways combine contemporary urban landscapes with more naturalised ones. The small hidden gems are plentiful with many unique shops, cafes, pubs and entertainment venues, representative of the eclectic nature of the city and it's residents.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its modernisation at last along with the growth in the student community which has started to increase the cafe culture in the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a friendly village feel with all the benfits of a big city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is a hub of Indian culture at Heart Space Dundee offering Yoga. There are AMAZING practitioners capable of the impossible!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Two closest football stadia in the world. Smallest city to have had both clubs reach semi final of both European competitions.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee FC and Dundee United FC. Two senior football clubs situated only a couple of hundred yards apart. A rare football derby where supporters of both football clubs can meet in the pub both before and after the match without any trouble.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Proud to be from Dundee. A city with not only a rich past for creativity and culture but a vibrant future through 2017 and beyond.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Dundee Science Festival and the Dundee Literary Festival are two events that I look forward to. The fact that eminent scientists and authors want to come to the City to share their experiences is fantastic.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The breathtaking views from the law, from Newport across the river, when driving along Riverside Drive, the constant surprise of small planes coming in to land or taking off, the DCA, buzzing with life and Magdalen Green with its backdrop of the tay and the rail bridge.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Even after 10 years of living in the city I seem to stumble onto new things in and around the area of Dundee. :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city has a rich, diverse and vibrant arts scene and with its broad international population through the two universities, the pool of talented individuals adding to Dundee's culture keeps growing. The Blues Bonanza, Science Week and the University of Dundee's freshers week are some of my favorites!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the people are rapidly believing in both themselves and the City. The future is very promising as we create the 'New Dundee' for our children and their children. Old meets Modern meets Old ans we rebuild Dundee. Also sunniest and driest place in Scotland.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dawson Park ~ where everyone can go thru out the day and do their thang ~ dog walkers, ,joggers, runners, schoolchildren doing sports with their school, dog walkers, keen gardeners, after school hanging out, dog walkers, sports clubs ~ a great green place with good facilitles for everyone
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved away from Dundee 12 years ago but I have so many fond memories of the city. The education I received in the city didn't just come from being at the University of Abertay, it came from living within and enjoying all that the city has to over. I've watched world-class plays at the Rep Theatre, listened to some great concerts at the Caird Hall and seen some fantastic art at the galleries.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's so much going on in such a relatively small city. You just have to know where to look. There's always an Art opening or gig to check out.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Anyone lucky enough to see Gardyne's Land before it was turned into a Youth Hostel will know that Dundee was, once upon a time, a very influential city, not only in Scotland but Britain.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great industrial legacy, wonderful thriving city full of creative and vibrant people. Downtown Dundee is great, artisan shops and cafe's, DCA wonderful arthouse cinema and gallery. Wonderful musicians - The View, Hazy Janes and my absolute favourite St Andrew (Andy Pelc) famous amongst those "in the know" he has talent in abundance!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Twenty odd years ago I was first acquainted with Dundee as a part of the design team for the Discovery project and I now have a home just outside of the city. My main responsibility was the design of things on-board the ship itself which included the flock of sheep (not as big as it could have been) on the shore, etc. It was a period of great energy and creativity, but was grounded in solid research.
At that time there was a lot of talk about how good things in the city could be, and most of it has happened plus a lot more. The later things such as the V&amp;A are an extension of that vision for culture whilst not loosing sight of the past. This is the core of Dundee.
The whole place has a 'life' to it and all of its attractions are not only for visitors, but are of relevance to all who live there.
I am thinking in particular of the McManus, the DCA &amp; the Rep'. It has a dynamic student population and a world class Art &amp; Design School in The Duncan of Jordanstone.

The proposed long term plan for the waterfront looks as though it should work well, and take advantage of the truly wonderful river aspect. But whilst I am glad to see the back of the Council Tower, various blocks of flats &amp; the Olympia pool, the Railway station &amp; the ex Stakis/Hilton might be a loss in terms of architectural progression - not all '70ies was bad.

The Unicorn needs to be integrated much more into the scheme of things, it is a gem, and perhaps a museum of transport and the docks, should be considered, in particular as unlike at a lot of other places, the docks still work.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city has grown beyond the small university town it was just a couple of decades ago. The diversity and inclusiveness as well as the industry that has expanded Dundee into a city is just amazing and makes me proud of my Alma Mater.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Always a thrill to drive over the "Silv'ry Tay" on the approach to Dundee-it looks different every time depending on the weather, but "silvery" it always is!  Then there is the "Can Do" attitude which is apparent everywhere in all the building work at the Waterfront, and finally the down to earth friendliness of the people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What surprises me about Dundee is how much there is going on beyond the city centre - art exhibitions at Generator Projects and Tin Roof, gigs at Beat Generator and the Art Bar amongst other places and many other things. Dundee has a really vibrant up-and-coming art scene beyond the DCA. There is always something going on, and then you can walk to somewhere like Magdalen Green or the Law for some calm and to relaz with your friends. Dundee is just a special city of its own.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Discovery Point is an amazing visitor attraction in Dundee. A must see for any visitor.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is gorgeous!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness of the history and the culture... jute, jam and journalism... The Beano... The Verdant Works... The DCA... The Dundee Science Centre... The Universities... The restaurants and pubs... The new Waterfront project... the people!! Dundee is amazing, fun, entertaining, beautiful and interesting.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a great place with interesting little pockets of history from the Howff graveyard to the Mcmanus gallery and surprising little art deco details of some forgotten old buildings. I like looking out for all the little bits of public sculpture as well - I think the penguins heading for Discovery are my favourite!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Some of the best assets of Dundee is it's small bars and cafe's. They are very inviting and have a great atmosphere. Due to Dundee's landscape there is many hills which give you tremendous views over the city centre and the Tay. Dundee also has many fabulous parks such as Baxter park. The best thing of all though is that everything is very central, so it's easy to get everywhere.

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