:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

That it makes me want to stay and get creative! Having previously lived in a number of bigger cities, including Paris & Glasgow, I moved to Dundee by chance a few years ago. I think what Dundee may lack in quantity when comparing to larger cities, it more than makes up for in quality, accessibility and community. I am inspired by the amount of creative collectives that I have seen develop within the few years I have lived here (Tin Roof Arts Collective, The Vanilla Ink Jewellery Studios, Skillshare Dundee, Fleet Collective and Creative Dundee). I also love the range of creative learning opportunities and events that more established venues such as The McManus and The DCA offer. Ultimately, it is people that make a place and craft a culture and the people I have met since moving here have shown me there is a wealth of forward thinking, creative people in the city that are working hard to make exciting things happen.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Moved from Dundee 15 years ago. However, i will always be a West end Lad. Magdalen Green, the Band Stand, the views across the Tay and McIntosh Patrick.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I always love seeing the McManus galleries especially following all of the restoration that's taken place. My Mum regularly took my sister and I there when we were growing up and we loved seeing the model of old Dundee, a great talking point, and the display about the Tay bridge disaster. I'm glad that we were able to experience some of the history of Dundee as it has connected me to where I'm from and I'm grateful to my Mum for ensuring we had that. Thanks Mum.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The vast cosmopolitanism for one. The combination of Vibrant university atmosphere and a sprawling city combine to make Dundee a pretty special place. Everything from looking at the Tay whilst on Magdalen Green or the sight of The Discovery ship as you get of the train. Awesome

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The music scene is second to none in Dundee. So many versatile and hugely talented bands and individuals who contribute to many artistic streams within the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You turn corner's here and find surprise's. Each street contains a hero, an ambassador. An individual who goes that extra mile every day, helping neighbours and strangers alike, making the city a little brighter each day.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having never stepped foot in the city until my first day at University I had no idea what to expect, but the friendliness and welcoming attitude got me straight away, 11 years later I feel like Dundee is home, and I am very excited about what my future holds living in this ever developing city. The open spaces in Dundee are great, you never feel enclosed. With such easy access to beautiful countryside, beaches, hills and forests, why would you need to live anywhere else?

<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> I'm 10 minutes from town. 10 minutes fyom the beach and 10 minutes from the hills. What more do I need from a city?

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fantastic little city, great energy and richness especially in young artistic community, tremendous sense of history diversity and investment in the future

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Home of the UK's largest generalist Investment Trust, Alliance Trust PLC.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee City Centre doesn't cover a very wide area but it has everything you'd ever need. Lovely and compact but with all the big shops as well as the lovely independent cafes for some variation.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Our young people

Diversity in action

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Our ability to continually innovate, inspire and engage is difficult to beat. From Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, The Rep Theatre and DCA, to computer games, technology and design the City, in its own quiet way, makes a big impact across the world.
The UK should be proud to have Dundee as City of Culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The West Port with some fantastic eating places particularly the Playwright and also the Parlour Cafe. The Dundee rep also located here which is a fantastic theatre bringing a range of diverse productions both local & national

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> fantastic location and ever changing scenery

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> there is so much to do within walking distance of the centre. There are the musems, the parks, the shopping, the variety of places to eat, the Discovery and, of course, the Beano characters in the town centre, to say nothing of the amazing old buildings where people lived and worked that show you Dundee's past. myfavourite place is Templeton Woods where you are always surprised by the wildlife and beauty of the woodland and the number of activities there.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How one can get everything required in the city yet it is so easy to get around, park, eat and get away again. The sea scape is also such a pleasure, too, and a surprise when one is in the midst of a bustling University city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the warmth and welcoming people who made me feel at home when I came 28 years ago and now would never leave.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Saturday lecture series at Dundee University is a fantastic venture which more people should be aware of. Snapshots of diverse and intriguing subjects for a wide-ranging audience

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a great size of city, not too big but but not too small, it's friendly with a fab cultural quarter. Spectacular views over the tay!!!. Great for sight seeing, shopping, a day out or a night out.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> After living in Dundee for over 30years the river continues to delight me. You can see it at the same time every day and it is never the same, weather , tide, time of year and light. It is so much an integral part of the city yet sets the city off. To the landward side of Dundee there are fantastic walks in the Sidlaws. Living in Dundee gives you the advantages of a city yet within 30 minutes drive you are in lovely countryside. An incredible combination.

<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> How since going to university, every time I come home something new has changed; in the last few years Dundee has become confident, and proud of itself! And obviously the all-night bakery is Dundee's biggest hidden secret...

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The observatory on Balgay Hill- its a gem and free to visit!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duke's Corner Beer Garden, The Blues Bonanza, The Botanic Gardens, The Continental Market on a summer's day, the cycle route, the City Square, the generousity and enthusiasm of people like Charlie Kean, the DCA, the live music scene, the Rep, the warmth of the people!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The public art. The monkeys, the squirrel, car, penguins, dragon, dan and minnie, and now the lemmings, its all great.

Design the dundee public street art trail. Perth rd to nethergate, to grassmarket to high st to murraygate . . .

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We moved here from Lancashire 18 months ago because my stepson had been studying at Abertay University and during the many visits to see him, we fell in love with Dundee and the surrounding area.

We decided that when my husband retired, we would move here permanently. So we did! We have definitely not regretted one second of it.

It is a lovely area, the people are very friendly, the city is buzzing with lots of events. The money which is being spent on developing the waterfront area will make the city more attractive to tourists and residents.

I am probably looking at the city with a fresh pair of eyes, but we absolutely love it here. We in one of the outlying villages but I work in the centre of Dundee and we would never go back to where we moved from because it is just so much better here!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty ferry is a lovely wee town with nice pubs and restaurants! Something for everybody.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a young Fifer, I rarely visited Dundee except to shop. Now I live and work in Dundee and feel part of the whole cultural environment

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The long history of the Trades of Dundee - the Three United Trades of Dundee and the Nine Incorporated Trades and their link with St Andrews Parish Church. The beautiful stained glass windows in that Church commemorating that link and the stained glass at the entrance to Ninewells Hospital again displaying the City's links with its historic Trades.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Years ago, a guy who (asked to) push beside us in the queue at the Mardi Gras, bought us a drink as soon as we were all inside. He then quoted what has become one of my rules for life - "It's nice to be nice."

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is forward thinking in their ideas about what is best for the city. The work on the river front has been a great change for the aesthetics of the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people - I've never met friendlier people in my entire life. Walks down by the Tay and afternoons spent on Magdalen green on a sunny day are unbeatable!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It surprised be to learn that the roots of some of the biggest games within the video games industry started in Dundee over two decades ago.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved Dundee's people and their accent. It took getting used to but I soon came to love it and the many words I never knew exsited.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A small city where everything is happening! Dundee got strong roots, but also keep an eye on the future! Friendly people everywhere, nice wee places to eat! (I really love Lily and Stone caffe!) The waterfront is beautiful!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the view of the stunning sunrises over the Tay, to sunset sitting on Magdalen Green with friends, to drinking tea in one of the many cute coffee shops on the Perth Road, to the vibrant university student life, to the welcoming nature of the city. Dundee is home.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Just love my home town. No matter where I go, it doesn't live up to Dundee!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city seems to surprise other Scots who visit our city , who did not realise what a beautiful city we have. The location next to the river tay is very special.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I left Dundee around 8 years ago and when I returned I barely recognised the place, what a transformation!! It makes me even more proud to be a Dundonian!! Well done and good luck.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I've been surprised by the amount of community arts activity that goes on. Also by the long-term thinking that's gone into the Waterfront development. Dundee is a city on the up!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How, nearly twenty years since it changed beyond recognition, I can still hear the noises, smell the smells and feel the atmosphere of The Shed at Tannadice.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duncan of jordanstone college - just a wonderful place to learn

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The famous Dundee FC.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The University Gardens

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love it when visitors to the city tell you how much they have enjoyed themselves being here and how friendly we all are.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What it has to offer. Dundee is steeped in history and has a more diverse cultural population split today than it ever has. DUNDEE womens festivalis hugely successful......local people recognise their city as somewhere with a depth of commitment to put dundee on the map ascan internationally recognised tourist destination.........the support for V&A at Dundee....redevelopment of the waterfront....Malmaison coming to dundee...Icould go on!!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I lived in the city until the early 1990s and still enjoy visiting regularly. Now there's a much more diverse cultural life, great restaurants, good retention of the city's heritage alongside all the amenities required for modern urban living.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> "The Speedwell Bar ( Ma Mennies'), Perth Road, Dundee
is one Edwardian public house that has retained its original shopfront and fittings, due to their exceptional craftsmanship.

One of the very few pubs in Scotland and the only pub in Dundee having been listed for the quality of its interior"
Adam Swan, Chartered Town Planner, Dundee District Council"

Built in 1903 on the site of a well for the Lord Provost James Speed the Speedwell is acclaimed in the Daily Telegraph (3/4/09) asone of the Uk's best 70 pubs.

Home of Dundee's William McGonagall Appreciation Society

See All Backers