We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

There are hidden riches within the University of Dundee – for example the William McTaggart painting in the waiting room at the Dental Hospital. It was gifted by William Boyd, first chairman, a noted art collector who actually sold a Van Gogh to endow our first chair of dental surgery (though at the time he would have got more money if he’d sold the McTaggart!)

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I've been working in Dundee for nearly a year, and living here for less time than that, but in these past few months the thing that has struck me the most is that Dundee has a real, vibrant, rich sense of community and a great spirit. People from all walks of life support each other, working together to make their communities, and the city as a whole, stronger. Dundee's cultural organisations provide a focal point for people, offering platforms and opportunities for creative communities to flourish. Dundee would be a fantastic choice for UK City of Culture 2017!
<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> One of the unique things about Dundee is that, from the middle of this city, you can nearly always enjoy lovely views of the river and open countryside. So you get the benefits of living in a city plus the views you'd get living in a rural environment. To give a couple of my favourite examples, looking north to the Sidlaws from the Brackens Estate, or looking eastwards towards the Ferry and Tentsmuir from Blackness Road.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The scale and variety of world class activity that takes place in Dundee from cutting edge science to advanced digital media activity, from highbrow theatre and arts to community involvement in cultural activity. All that happening in a city where you can be on the beach in ten minutes, in the hills in twenty minutes and, if you must, skiing in around an hour.

I came for three years and now have clocked up a quarter of a century. Why live anywhere else?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My 7 year old took a 'fossil' find from the beach to the McManus Galleries in Dundee. The response of the staff was incredible: thoughtful to my 7 year old and very informative from their investigation, in fact an oyster shell from Mediaeval times. We've lived in Dundee for 7 years and there are lots of places to visit, it's a great place for my young children and for us as parents. We enjoy cycling on the Promenade at Broughty Ferry too.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What surprises me about Dundee is how little people living outsidethe City realise how much Dundee has changed over the years and what a fantastic place this is to live,work and visit. I have lived in Dundee all my life and have raised my family here and I would never have had it any other way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The density of amateur theatrical groups in such a small area is amazing for one of Scotland's smaller cities. The nurturing that young people are given to participate in the performing arts through Dundee Schools Musical Theatre, Dundee Schools Orchestra and Dundee Unuversity Music ensure the continuing breadth of involvement of the people of Dundee in the performing arts.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing place. As someone who has moved here, I have always been made to feel welcome. The city has a great feeling of space, wide skies, large parks and the Tay. My favourite area is Broughty Ferry, with the Fisherman's Tavern live music, Vissochi's ice cream and the beautiful sandy beach.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having spent my past 44 years living around the Tay estuary, I regularly re-discover the incredibly vibrant local music scene with which I first became familiar in 1969. The current crop of young musicians[I recently saw a 14 year old playing Peter green, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix], supported and encouraged by the early 20 + year olds who had themselves been supported and are still supported by earlier generations. The Blues festival is rightly famous but you can go round many venues in Dundee weekly and hear music of the highest calibre.
<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> Its sunshine ! Its safely !
Love Dundee !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact that the city has the feeling of a town, but still has such great amenities. We have museums, universities, shops, restaurants, parks, etc all so close together; for visitors it's an ideal 'no hassle' place to come and explore.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How it changes so much but never really changes at all. I was born in Dundee but now live in Essex. The city changes with various buildings being demolished and new ventures being completed every time I visit. But as you walk through the crowds, you notice that the people don't change and there is a tremendous amount of loyalty that stretches back through generations. Dundonians are proud to be just that and that is something that will never change!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> everything
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not sure about a hidden secret, the secret seems to be the combination of contrasts that enrich each (besides the emerging strengths of "real" culture):
The Tay, different from all heights and angles (foregrounds of beautiful parks (Balgay Hill, Magdalen Green) or industrial heritage or multis or Meggie's Centre);
Buildings old and new of different uses (the Mecca Bingo beside the church, the mosque among the old jute mills, the new university buildings beside old houses, the medieval arches under the pub back exit);
And then the "real" culture as it spreads throughout the city: Scottish Dance Theatre and Dundee Schools Musical Theatre, Community Theatre in the Rep, small scale viewings in the DCA and Hannah Mclure Centre, school competitions (art and music).
Not sure this helps (sorry)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's culture is about diversity. We have an award winning professional theatre company who also involve the people of the city through their outreach programmes, and provide the opportunity for amateurs to perform on the professional stage.

The city's pubs also provide many local and touring groups the opportunity to play every weekend - the choice and the quality is excellent, especially during Dundee Blues Bonanza.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's status in the world of higher education is rapidly growing, and the world class research in areas such as Medicine and Life Sciences is something all Dundonians should be proud of. The Riverside redevelopment programme will redefine the city, and the new V&amp;A at Dundee will put the city firmly on the culture map!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> With the whole country in what feels like a downward spiral of negativity, Dundee seems to buck that trend just now and there is a real sense of optimism. The physical transformation of the city undoubtedly contributes to a positive mindset, but in this case the mindset seems to be based on more than just bricks and mortar. Open minds, and a belief that things can be better if you are willing to work to make them better are setting the city up nicely for a great future which does justice to its great history.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The stunning views across the Tay River are a delight.
Dundee's south facing sunny aspect - indeed the only city in Scotland to face South- is a secret bonus.
It has a "can do" attitude giving the City an air of quiet confidence, based on a rich and strong cultural heritage and identity, and a present day wealth in Education and Technology.
<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> The local knowledge of the staff at the VisitScotland Information Centre(Tourist Information) is astounding, helped us get our feet in a City with a fantastic amount to DISCOVER!!!!

Discovery Point and RRS Discovery is also very good, built by dundonians for scientific research!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Improvements in schemes
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The location is amazing - surrounded by both inland coastal delights
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Ninewells hospital in Dundee is amazing. It has done so much for myself and my relatives. A huge asset..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Broughty Ferry, having a beach so close is great on a sunny day. I love all the little shops there too.
<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 amazing diversity of music available in Dundee - everything from punk, ska, classical, jazz, blues, indie and pop, there's always something going on!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's resilience - it's been knocked down many times and come back stronger than ever !!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's so much talent in one small city! DJCAD is the finest art school.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Well Dundee is my home city and I just love it! The people are fun and friendly. Eh just love the way we speak! Pure teckle!
There are loads of amazing parks to take the bairns - the swannie ponds is fab in Summer and Winter - I grew up with stories of ice skating on the ponds.
Tannadice is hallowed ground - I grew up there with my uncle and cousins, and now my wee boy is United daft too. And what about the brilliant Michael Marra's song about Hamish McAlpine and Grace Kelly!
The Lochee baths - aye freezing, Victorian splendour and full of characters.
St. Mary's Lochee Catholic Church - absolutely beautiful - and funded by Irish immigrants that helped build the population of Dundee from the 1840s.
Juteopolis - a brilliant book about Dundee and its people.
The Cleppie Road - and the imaginary 'secret tunnel' that goes from Aunty Isabel's bin store on the Cleppie, underground to Tannadice. (Ok - so its not real but its in my imagination).
Lawside Academy - my young days of joy roaming the streets of Downfield and Ardler with my pals - days out up the "Seedlees" (Sidlaws) with picnics, swinging over the Dighty Burn on a rope swing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it is known for its large cultural variance, the achitectural layout ofthe city is one that seems to fascinate. The location of the law hill, providing an enigmatic view of the whole city. The weather is one that is highly intriguing. known to be the sunniest city in the scotland, hail stones in august spices up the flavour of the Dundee life.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am constantly surprised by additional facts about Dundee and Dundonians; from the Neolithic to the space age, Dundee has hidden its light under a bushel, and needs to be recognised for the amazing place it is.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What has struck me is the entrepreneurial culture - from life sciences to art, it can be seen all over the city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is the city I grew up in and it is a fantastic place, and I miss it now I live and work in Glasgow. The language in Dundee is just brilliant; from aninineenanaw to the only sentence in the English language with no consenants, I e' I' a' (I ate it all!).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Whilst I don't claim to know Dundee well enough to comment on the 'hidden secrets', I do plan to move there and find them out. What I like about Dundee is that it is not too big, is walkable in and around, has a lovely waterfront location and is brimming with potential. There are some cracking restaurants and lovely vistas all across the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great musicians, poets and artists working in an exciting environment.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the west end of Dundee, the sun always rises from one 'end' of the the tay, and sets into the other. So it's lovely every day.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The thrill of crossing the Tay never diminishes. Neither does the heart rate when climbing to the top of the Law to look out over a city full of little gems - including the Holy Trinity of a Perfect Night Out: DCA, the Phoenix and the Istanbul.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of diversity and talent within Dundee's creative industries never ceases to amaze.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> City with community/village feel. Very friendly people.
Many lovely parks and open spaces for everyone. Integrated multi national community.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Our ability to preserve our past with respect and at the same time our ability to regenerate and modernise with new developments and projects.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Fantastic, thriving life sciences research at the University
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich legacy of Scottish traditional music being played every week by local musicians at The Fisherman's Tavern in Broughty Ferry (on Thursdays) and Mennies (The Speedwell Bar) on the Perth Road(on Tuesdays). This community of local musicians also supports the Tayside Young Fiddlers and leaders like fiddler, Karen Hannah, and piper Kyle Howie, teach and organize traditional music concerts at The Dundee Library in the beautiful Wighton Heritage Centre http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/library/wighton. Scottish traditional music is strong in Dundee and led by young talented pipers, unusual in Scottish session culture which is often led by fiddlers.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I returned to Dundee in 2000 after many years abroad.
What a fantastic city to live in and to start a business.
Great support, super business colleagues, friends and clients.
Looking forward to the fantastic city developments in the next 13 years!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a girl who moved around all my life, from the middle east, to scandinavia, to Africa and only came to Dundee for uni, I am constantly amazed that the 1000th time walking down Perth Road I can fall in love with Dundee over and over again. The sunshine, the buildings, the Uni,the people, the city. I think it's amazing that Dundee can be a home to a girl who come's from nowhere!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The closeness of everything, the view of dundee from the bridge, the beautiful mansions along the perth road &amp; the large renovated former jute mills
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What I like in Dundee? Its weather, not too hot, not too cold. Just perfect!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people of Dundee never stop surprising me. One of our biggest assets are our people. Our people are friendly, kind, caring, funny and adaptable. x
<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> The incredible contribution to the history of comics is one of the great stories of Dundee. Sure, everyone knows about DC Thomson's The Dandy and The Beano, but who knows about the Amazing Mr X, Britain's first homegrown superhero created by DCT? The lost comics studios of the 1940s? That Grant Morrison, one of the world's most reknowned comics writers, got his start at DCT? I teach the only postgraduate degree in Comics Studies at the University of Dundee, and want to put Dundee on the map as THE centre of Comics study and research! And we need a comics museum in Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Growing up rather poor and with some nasty experiences I came to the point in 6th year of highschool where I was ready to leave my hometown and pursue my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. I had some outstanding achievements- sporting and otherwise- but I feared that my studying had been very much inhibited by my circumstances. The University of Dundee uniquely offered me the opportunity of summer school as a condition, having sent out an email asking of any outstanding circumstances. This holistic view and kindheartedness shone out above the other universities and I excitedly accepted.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Charles McKean - his lectures about Dundee are always an inspiration.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Walking along the front at Broughty Ferry or coming into Dundee by train across the rail bridge the views are stunning. The Tay is Dundee's least well kept secret and it's most important feature.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sunshine, the things to do and see, the people
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The resilience of the city and the people - we keep geting knocked down and we still show a unity to keep going until we succeed.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> i love the peace in dundee
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The brilliant Macmanus Galleries to the Blues Festival. Always plenty to do. Really looking forward to the V and A. its all going on in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee people are peaceful and loving people
<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> Dundee Backpackers' Hostel, Gardyne's Land, is a medieval building situated in the heart of the city centre, and operates as a youth hostel to date. Dundee is often underrated for its architecture and it is not just a Victorian city: the subtle incorporation of the city's past is there for all to see.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has emerged from it's dark past like an ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan. Those who knock the place tend to never have been here. They need to visit and open their eyes to our wonderful, vibrant, buzzing reborn city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its approachability;
-the folks that inhabit it have warm, open &amp; unaffected persona's
-its the perfect size...big enough to have everything, small enough to be touchable
-its architecture spans the great &amp; noble, the honest &amp; solid, the shiny &amp; new, all softened by an accessible layer of lush green
-accessible yet edgy design &amp; art scene
-beauty and serene calm of its water is enjoyed by us all; its not exclusive nor for the priveledged...it reflects the persona of our city.
I am proud to witness Dundee begin to realise its full potential.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A real sense of community and a buzz about the wealth of creativity in all areas - there are so many opportunities for all to be involved in the many exciting events, festivals and new developments in the city. It has a fabulous waterfront setting with glorious sunsets to inspire you - and a cracking cafe culture too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Friends and relatives who have visited us and who have never seen Dundee before have been quite surprised at what Dundee has to offer when we have taken them around the City.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has been through many recessions and hard times but it always manages to re-invent itself and this latest chapter will prove what we Dundonians already know - this is a fantastic city with a truly creative gene in its DNA.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The students are super uber friendly and engaging. They will always be the first to inject energy and spirit into any and all projects within the Dundee community which only strengthens the bond between the people of Dundee and its connection to its fine educational institutes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is eternally encouraging towards the cultivation of new groups and ideas no matter what the subject matter is. I make cartoons &amp; comics, a big part of that comes from Dundee's comic publications I read when I was young!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My son Don Nicolson and daughter Cindy Nicolson were both born in the city. Don is a singer songwriter who won Dougie McCleans songwriter of the year award a few years back, and plays solo gigs all over the place. Cindy is also a singer songwriter who sings solo and is a vocalist/guitarist/songwriter with the group Mamasbaby which plays all over Perth and dundee, the highlands and toured europe as did Don. They are very talented people and come from a long line of musicians. My father who died at the age of 37 from cancer was a singer song writer too and he was the trainer for the under 21s Osborne team in Dundee back in the 40`s.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From my time studying here, I have found that their are lots of friendly people. Chilling at the law hill with the amazing views. Wondering round an exhibition at DCA/McManus.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a student at the University of Dundee I was really impressed by the strong link the City has with her students. The vibrant and diverse social scene has really provided me with an excellent student experience. From Dundee you are well placed to visit many exciting parts of Scotland but still return to your "home" city in a matter of hours. I am proud to have been a part of the city's expansion over the past 5 years.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A city where I have lived three exciting years as a PhD student. Cutting-edge science work, multinational friends, delicious christmas puddings, amazing landscape!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved back to Dundee 5 years ago after living across the world.

What I love about this city is it's ability to evolve, to change with the times and to reinvent itself.

Above all it's home to me and my family and will always be home no matter where we are in the world
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The evolution and growth of the last 10 years.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee 14 years ago. I love the vibrancy, the events scene, the bars, the people, the overall creativity of this fantastic city. It has brought me life, family, friends and love.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the views
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You can cycle from one end to the other along the coast using very little road..
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A very strong artist-led community, with events at Tin Roof, Generator and WASPS studios.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's WONDERFUL!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its so friendly and the people are helpful and welcoming. beautiful location with lovely parks and beaches.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sometimes you have to look a little closer or a look at a city from a different angle to discover the hidden gems of arcitecture or urban archeology that may be there but never seen. Dundee is a facinating plave for this. The grand gateway to the Howfe that has never been opened for decades, The 1/4 mile long aquaduct over the Dichty burn at Fintry ....
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the rich arts and culture scene - i also think that it sits within a microclimate as the weather is always much better there than the rest of scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It has the best and most progressive Medical School I have come across.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Grants the butcher does the best mince.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The 'lets just get on and do it' attitude that has started to happen in Dundee's creative world. From Vanilla Ink to Tin Roof via Fleet Collective, Jam Collective and Rusty Hip - not to mention all the independent shops and cafes that are setting the foundations for the future retail economy of the city. Good work, lets keep it going.
<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 my city Dundee my home
it's the city where I belong
from the Ferry to Lochee
it's the place for me
Dundee the city of Discovery.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fantastic gaming community. Digital, table top, cards and board. From game shops to pubs you'll find gamers everywhere
<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> Dundee is a city waiting to be discovered, situated between the dolphins in the river Tay and the magnificent mountain 'The Law' behind, it holds a rich history of Jam, Journalism and Jute and an exciting future of biomedical discoveries, computer game inventions and the 'city makeover' with a new V&amp;A museum and a new train station.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Being among the first to see amazing new children's films at Discovery Film Festival, eating fudge donuts from Fisher &amp; Donaldson and meeting so many welcoming, funny, inspiring people. Every time I get a funny look from someone outside of the city when I tell them I live in Dundee it makes me proud to say it's a truly great place to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My strongest memories from growing up in Dundee are tangled in the city's wildlife, and the spaces that allow it to thrive.

I loved feeding the ducks, and netting for stickle-backs at Stobsmuir Ponds, watching the annual transformation of tadpoles into frogs in Baxter Park, catching crickets in the long grass at the Den O'Mains, seeing lazy seals basking on the sand banks under the rail bridge over the Tay, watching peaceful herons resting in low branches over the Dighty Burn and visiting the stately swans at Broughty Ferry beach.

The many beautiful parks and waterways in the city, and the beaches and walkways along our incredible river, provide spaces for wildlife to thrive and for our communities to come together.

I think all Dundonians share a strong connection to the Tay, the Law, Camperdown and the parklands across the city. These places are woven into our group identity. While they aren't always stumbled upon by outsiders, they are an important part of our cultural heritage and yet another reason why Dundee is a brilliant place to live!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Outsiders may be surprised to know that William Wallace was educated at the Grammar School of Dundee, and was outlawed for killing the son of the English Governor of Dundee, setting him on the path that would see him become the central figure in the Wars of Independence.
KT Tunstall and Andrew Marr attended the same school, now known as the High School of Dundee, more recently. There is no suggestion either committed any heinous crimes that brought the wrath of the English authorities upon them.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having lived all my life here there is little that surprises me anymore. It's when I visit other cities that I appreciate the relative calm and lack of awful traffic in Dundee all the more.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus Galleries - a great treasure trove!
<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 views are superb from everywhere especially from the top of Ninewells Avenue !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The walks along the waterfront is beautiful in all seasons, and the view from the top of the Law Hill is amazing. These natural places bring genuine richness to the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That we have such a great history of science and research which has taken Dundonians to all ends of the earth.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What we like best about Dundee:

Me, my wife and two boys simply love the Grassy Beach Walk from Stannergate to Broughty Ferry. The walk coupled with the views of the sun glistening off the River Tay are simply breathtaking.

Ample reward is to be had at the end of the long pleasant walk with a cold drink or two (alfresco I might add) at the all too inviting Ship Inn by the side of the river.

Where else in the UK can you spot dolphins bobbing in and out of the Silvery Tay and also catch a glimpse of Bob Servant's extension!

Now thats what I call a family walk on a Sunday!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I absolutely love Dundee and I wouldn't live anywhere else. I have everything I would want in a city and I love that within 5 minutes from my house I am in the countryside cycling in some of the most amazing surroundings.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Women's History Walk taught me about Dundee women's long history of innovation, creativity and political struggle.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> History, warmth, calm and nice
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> "eh"; how under-rated it is; the people; buildings; how green it is; great local produce; steak pies; universities, great city yet how modest it is - from an Edinburgh man !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved Dundee ever since my girlfriend went there for Uni.
I love the city people are lovely and I love a good walk along the Tay.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The magnificent views from the Law Hill of the river and the surrounding hills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There was a bookshop once, new to Dundee, but boy was that place embraced. Attracted a really varied cross section of the region &amp; everybody got involved. It was only as it was closing that it really hit home how much it had become part of the cultural fabric of the city - in reality it was only bricks &amp; mortar, it was the PEOPLE who made it such a great hub.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The thing that surprised me most when i moved here was the number of independent shops and restaurants, there are some hidden gems like Dukes corner for music and food. Just walking down Perth road there is hardly a chain store on show, with numerous independent coffee shops and small art stores. Its not all bad in Dundee at all.
<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.

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