We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

The sheer number of individuals and groups who are involved in choirs, bands, music groups, pub gigs and sessions, art clubs, model railway, boat and aircraft making, musical theatre, local history and museums, lively community centres, Friends Of everything from the Unicorn and Barnhill Rock Garden to Balgay Hill and the Caird Hall Organ. Culture? It’s in Dundee’s heart and soul!

<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> The Coldside Community Fun day is an annual festival with Dundee poets, singers, bands, dancers, pipe bands and arts and crafts activities for young people. All organised by community volunteers , it attracts around 500 people each year. Its a great display of community spirit and local talent.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has great coffee shops!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the way they are re-developing the City's waterfront - traffic a serious pain however it will all be worth it in the end. Majority of Dundee citizens are kind and considerate people and are very generous with local charities as well as national ones, particularly Charlie Kean. The culture within the city is growing all the time which makes me proud to be a Dundonian!
<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> I was surprised when the 48hour film competition came along how many extremely talented writers, film makers, photographers, actors, singers, songwriters and musicians were present in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee's legacy of the three Js - jute, jam and journalism. My great grandparents worked in the jute mills until retirement age. My granny is a dab hand at making raspberry jam, and it's well known that the banks of the Tay are the optimum place to cultivate berries in the world. What would the world be without Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan? We also have Dundee to thank for D.C. Thomson &amp; Co.
<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> Dundee is a multicultural city with a wonderful, supportive creative community. It is also the sunniest city in Scotland, which makes it a fantastic place to live, discover and grow in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee feels like the obvious centre point in Scotland - it's within an easy 90 minutes distance from other wonderful cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, but in contrast, you can go to the beach, the countryside, up the Glens, into the Highlands and beyond very easily. Sitting in the evenings watching the Silvery Tay with the hills of Fife behind is a view I never take for granted and the sunsets in the winter months are truly spectacular. We are so fortunate to have the quality of life that we have here in Dundee, I've never found the need to leave for very long!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has inspired me to be everything i can be i live in Fife but attend university. The university of Abertay Dundee has helped me in my career to become a marketer thanks to the outstanding support through mentoring and teaching i have receive from DR Jason Turner the head of the marketing &amp; business programme at Abertay. I have met some tenacious and determined individuals who innovate and bring their business ideas to life with great support from Abertay. Thank you for inspiring me to be all i can be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was there and right in the thick of things when it transformed from a post-apocalyptic dump into a vibrant digital city. I am proud to be associated in some way with this unique, transformational city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee university enriches life thru llunchtime concerts and free Saturday eve lectures with wide ranging speakers. All free. Mcmanus galleries featuring exhibits from V and A. Broughty Ferry Art society classes. DCA featuring National Theatre and opera from the Met.
<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> love all the green open spaces - there is so much to do!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of green spaces available. All on bus routes. For a city this size there are a lot of cultural things on offer as well as varied cost of housing to suit most budgets. Edinburgh and Glasgow are expensive but not tooo far away
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Many people forget that we have a lovely beach on our door step!

I pick up after my dog so people should pick up after themselves and their children.

Lets keep in lovely.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the amazing views from Ninewells Hospital - got to be the best views of any hospital in Scotland
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many hidden treasures; it is steeped in unspoken history, for example 'the walled City'or the many networks of tunnels that still exist around the City. For a city I find it a very calming place to live, with the water and the trees. People are friendly and helpful. The future for Dundee is exciting with an extremely positive vibe.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Balgay park in the west end with the Mills observatory and the walks around Balgay hill.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's such a big small place. A magicalwarm place that is such a wonderfully well kept secret. Dundee knows its roots, it isn't afraid to be proud of them, but it won't pretend to be something that it isn't. It is quintessentially Scottish.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Got a lot of love for DCA, fantastic contemporary arts &amp; cultural centre for all x
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The strong community spirit is a key feature of Dundee. I am constantly amazed at how the city has developed creatively building on the legacy of jute, jam, journalism, whaling, ship building etc. Learning from the past ... Looking to the future
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I arrive back at the City i am always blown away by the approach and setting of the City on the Tay Estuary. Simply stunning!
<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 city is beautiful with a rich history. Amongst the lovely sights to see are the ship "Discovery" and the Jute museum. The River Tay is a beautiful sight to see from the Tay bridge especially at night. The people are warm and always offer you the nice scottish hospitality and you often get to see many of the men in traditional Scottish kilt. The University Of Dundee offers a diverse mix of cultures from across the globe which blend with the eclectic mix of the old and the new that is The City Of Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its gorgeous friendly people who are so welcoming. I love the places to visit, so many hidden treasures.
The scenery around the city is so beautiful to visit.
Dining out is an amazing experience, so many culinary delights.
Its simple a great place
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love it when me &amp; my Mum go into town after school, we walk all the way down the brae behind The Wellgate and I can see right over the water, then we go to The Pancake Place, then I get to throw pennies in the water fountains, see the penguins at the Overgate and sometimes the cherry blossoms at the church. Sometimes we go to Broughty Ferry to the beach and the big park then I get an ice cream at Visocchi's. My school's project is Dundee and we did the poem "Eh like baffies, tartan baffies, eh like baffies on meh feet" it was so funny. I love Dundee :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Two aspects of Dundee do it for me. Firstly the youthful feel to the city. Evidenced by the welcome exuberance of the student population of the city; and secondly the architectural gems that are dotted about the city and are chanced upon quite often by accident.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'd only ever driven around Dundee, on the way from Glasgow to Aberdeen, and it wasn't a particularly good impression. But when I took the trouble to stop there, I was amazed at how friendly the people were, how wrong my first impression was, and how much was going on. Dundee values its arts and science in equal measure. Irrespective of anything else, visitors will be assured of a sincere, down-to-earth welcome, as they experience this.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm excited by the excitement change is bringing: Dundee's cultural contribution is yet to be defined. So many parts of a new way of binding a city together are in the froth along the Tay: knowledge, history, clean next-generation energy, sustainability, digital promise and information culture. Dundee is becoming something new, something beyond what each ingredient adds to the soup. It's where a diverse past is becoming a vibrant future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> McManus galleries offer a wonderful insight into the rich history of the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee always surprises me. Each time I visit I seem to discover something new that makes me want to return.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Balgay Park Cemetery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Looking towards Dundee and over to Fife from waterfront at Broughty Ferry, really pretty.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was a student in Dundee many years ago and recently visited the city. The city has changed so much - not in terms of the buildings, but in terms of the vibrancy and the general feel of the place.
Dundee is a compact city with a lively, creative arts scene, with the added benefit of being right next door to beautiful countryside and coast.
Above all else - Dundee is moving forward!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Unlike many cities in the UK, in Dundee something that i can proudly say is i work and study in the creative industry. the vast amount of support and creative industry community in this city is second to none. with the rich creative history and exceptional collages and universities not only for creative's and the arrival of the V&amp;A this creative community and presence will only strengthen and further enrich the city and its people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In face of many negative social &amp; economic factors and compared to all other urban centres in the region, Dundee has a vibrancy and energy about arts and culture that can be felt. It's the pride people have, in themselves and their city that, despite adversity, creates this exciting environment.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's main post office is just like any other - except James Chalmers, the inventor of the stamp, sleeps in the howff cemetry across the road.
Dundee was, and is, seat of innovation in printing, journalism, international adventure (although, as the Discovery shows, one way travel is considered a success!)
Posting or sailing you onwards, Dundee lead the way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's no surprise to me but it is a welcome suprise to film and TV projects that they find intriguing locations, a can-do approach and sunshine even when it's snowing fifty miles away. TayScreen, the screen office for Dundee City Council happily supports Dundee's bid.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is loud and vibrant, full of music, art and science. It has a long and intricate history connected to the whole world. But it has places of solitude rarely visited, like the Fisherman's Graveyard in the Ferry, the University Campus has shady hideaways and tiny ancient pends cutting through the town. Dundee has just about everything...and sweeties!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city looking to the future combining a new dynamism while also maintaining strong links with its cultural heritage. The city offers an excellent quality of life and provides an environment which fosters creative opportunities for both individual and business enterprise.

For a small city it hits well above its weight and more than deserves the title of City of Culture 2017!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I say the Dundee museum of transport will be a be good for the city hopeful in 2017 Dundee will get city of culture i love my Dundee as a city becuse the past what that city got.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much individuality in Dundee's art scene, it always surprises and amazes me. It's always encouraged, supported and celebrated by a fantastic (art hungry) community.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is ever changing and the positive future and development of Dundee is being heard about throughout the world. The former 3 J's have definitely started to disappear and Dundee is being put out there as a cultural and business centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed by the vibrancy of the arts community in and around Dundee. and feel proud to have many of these artists as my friends. I came to the area to restore a ruined Baronial castle to the north of the city, in an attempt to bring back built heritage from the brink. However. so impressed have I been with the artists in the area, I would love to make the castle a cultural centre as well ... perhaps for 2017?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are so many interesting hidden gems in Dundee. Through hosting a monthly meetup for people in the technology industry we have met people who have worked with NASA on Space Station technology, people from 5 man teams powering software used all over the world, people carrying out pioneering research and student developers creating the next big games. Everyone is so friendly and comes together to share knowledge and experience to continue helping other with problems. It is such a great environment to live and work in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I LOVE DUNDEE !!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is going through a massive cultural shift and it is amazing how much fellow Dundonians are behind this. The people of the City want Dundee to be the best it possibly can be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having lived here for 4 years, I went out for a walk today and discovered a lot of lanes and back streets that I had never seen before. So many locals with great accents packed into little cafes. The city offers much more than this, one only has to look around to see that it a place rapidly changing for the better.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Rep, Yoga studios, community groups, arts and cratfs - it is ALL on the doorstep in Dundee; superb river front walks, country parks and a zoo within the city limits - it's all here
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived away from Dundee for 5 years and every time i go home i see changes.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is that moment when you are on a train coming North when you come round the corner of the track just before the bridge and see the city panorama. Gets me every single time I do it!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is no longer only a city of Discovery, it is a city which has re-invented itself. Like many places, the loss of industry was a severe blow. However, it has developed new industry, new strengths and new pride. Cancer research, arts, computer games; it's a reinvention based around research, creativity and ingenuity.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What doesn't surprise me about Dundee? As an 'incomer' 19 years ago what struck me then and now is the never ending enthusiasm of the people, the fantastic natural surroundings, the long term vision for the place and its proximity to nature, wild places and other cities. The creative talent in the City is amazing from musicians, film makers, dancers, games developers, artists, actors, theatre groups..... I could go on.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee it's everything a city should be but with a friendly village atmosphere. No matter where you are in this city you are never more than 20 mins away from great shops , the beach or the countryside ! We have world class education , amazing facilities , art all around us and the best people. Dundonian women are a true inspiration , lets face it even Winston Churchill refused to take them on !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love when I travel along in Perth road with a double decker and I can see the beautiful river Tay with the clouds and the sun. My original hometown is a big,busy city so I could hardly experience the nature like this. Also I love the green grass.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of people you meet in one day is both astounding and inspiring. Never have I been to a city where you recognize that, probably due to the intimacy of the place (considering it's a city!). I have vowed to return here to live and work in the future, as some who is not from Dundee that is quite a thing! After three years here I have witnessed first-hand the rapidly developing design and craft community, and how it is far outgrowing its Scottish competitors.

The natural surpise; feeling like you can see the Tay everywhere you go.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a way of sneeking up on you. I should know..i came on a 2 year contract and am still here almost 30 years later (despite having had several opportunities to leave) Whilst it may have deserved some of the criticism it used to receive(it was very insular), I believe it has evolved far more than any other city in the last 25 years. The change came when they brought the Discovery ship, the waterfront has finally changed and will be amazing when we get the V&amp;A . The V&amp;A in Dundee? They would never have believed it possible 25 years ago
I rest my case
<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> 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> Dundee is a city with a lot of character,friendly and helpful people and the thing that stands out for me is the view we have on any route into Dundee and the silvery Tay,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the amazing academics here within the city, that come from all over the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's full of creative people from a variety of disciplines
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I lived in Dundee for years - in good times and in bad times. I have seen people struggle through periods of immense poverty and deprivation and yet been amazed at the way they have helped to change and rejuvenate the city - through their belief in the place and their determination . I remember the singer/songwriter Michael Marra as an inspirational voice of the people and "Witch's Blood" as an incredible example of a life changing community arts project that is still remember 26 years after it was produced'
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 1. its beautiful setting
2. its unique society - it is/was the stronget matriarchal group in Scotland
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry on a sunny day, the views of the Tay are spectacular and it's always nice having a castle!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich heritage of the city represented in its buildings, museums and archival collections and the significant cultural renaissance in Dundee since the 1990s (perhaps best articulated by the creation of the DCA and the development of the city's 'cultural quarter').
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness and depth of the student scene in Dundee that exists alongside a city that has a long and illustrious history but continues to be modern and vibrant and will continue to be a great city for the future.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of the jute trade
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A Dundee local, Jenny Wood-Allen MBE, set the world record for being the oldest female marathon finisher. She walked her last London marathon in 2002 at the age of 90.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the wide variety of culture from ancient history like the Discovery to the new V and A coming to the city.....the Hutton Institute does some wonderful work across the world. The McManus Gallery has Picasso coming to it shortly...where else could you find such diversity.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The bars and pubs are ace! My two favourites are The Art Bar and The Speedwell Bar (AKA Mennie's) - quite different from one another but both very friendly, unique and wonderful.
The fact that 20 minutes drive in any direction takes you into fantastic countryside. Dundee is surrounded by beautiful hills, glens, lochs..... Great for outdoor activities. Hill walking in summer and snowboarding / skiing in winter (or spring this year!).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's a hidden secret fae the west end o dundee, a man wa goes by the name alfie, the mans been entertaining fowk ah eez days wi eez patter and eez always dressed ti impress.
<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> As a relative newcomer to Dundee, I had no idea there was so much going on here. There are so many creative people, so many exciting new projects, and there's so much to explore. Quite inspiring for a small place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of the city is fascinating
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden work being done to support young people with no hidden agenda except to see the young people develop and reach their potential. The work being done at St Andrews church with the young mother, Hot Chocolate Trust are to name two. Working with these young people are people who believe in the young people of Dundee. The are attempting to play a part in changing the future of Dundee from 'the inside' believing that any sustainable change must be done now to affect the future, and must be done in people not wholly by policies and procedures.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Blues Bonanza is almost the highlight of my year.........every year !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry beach, rock gardens, high street, castle are places worth visiting
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has its own Gaelic Choir! Under the baton of Wilma Kennedy it meets every Monday night and represents the city at The Royal National Mod each year.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians never cease to amaze me with their talent and innovation in all fields of art, science and industry. Dundee is the ideal size city - big enough to have a thriving culture, but small enough to have a strong community spirit and identity. The visionary Waterfront proposals are becoming a reality and will begin a new renaissance of the city and surrounding region. Nick Day
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's aspect, the river, its bridges, the weather, but most of all its friendly and talented people.....
<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> Dundee is transforming itself in to a modern bright city for future generations to enjoy.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's all about the people! They just get up, rise to the challenge and make stuff happen, the city has a long history of innovators, creators and game changers who adapt, shift and change to advance technology, industry, the arts and more. We are well known for our international trade and commerce links and that has influenced our cultural scene over the years (eg. I love that Timex/NCR back of the lorry spectrums kick-started Dundee's games industry!). The number of jute factories and trade buildings now repurposed by creative collectives/artists is really interesting i.e. Wasps, Tin Roof, Generator Projects, Fleet Collective and of course the DCA.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most vital about the town is the local people, that are the most wonderful and calm staying people Ive ever seen in my life. Just imagine how much things could be done in a small place but with such variety of people - thousands of students all over the world have an opportunity to do whatever they want and they do so, local people is so reach by their culture and education always ready to help.
The Dundee Top is the most beautiful place just cause of the view from it to the city, two bridges and the sea.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is no better place to find culture than in Lochee with its diverse range of people for a whole host of different backgrounds. Walking down the high street you will find a strong community built up on local cafes and independent shops. It has been such a privilege to represent that community and an honour to know the community activists within Lochee and wider Dundee who through a shared Dundee heritage and culture strive to make a real difference.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> infinite laughter, sunny days, dundee pies, culture, science, education, the silvery Tay, character, vibrancy, art, cycling over the Road Bridge at night..... Dundee is great! :D
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the whale oil an' the stoor

it's in the blood - way down
in the depth and the darkness of our river
you can feel it coming in
like a distant whispering in the wind
blowing in wi' the haar from the north east

it's in the sweep of the girders that cross the Tay
over the wide expanse of water

it's in the re built bridge that took us forward
to the re discovery

it's deep down
with the feeling of pride
in the building of ships
for the whalers
in the hard grey dockyards along the water's edge

the ships that connected us
with the world beyond
and reached out
to the furthest away places on earth
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heart of the city to me is the university of Dundee and the Duncan of Jordanstone. Even before I was a student I was impressed by how it was a self-contained area and I enjoyed the atmosphere and diversity of life all along the Perth Road. In the summertime there are always new faces and this breathes new life into the city. It's a creative, buzzing place.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The well in the Botanic Garden that never runs dry!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That there is so much in such a condensed place, and that so many people don't even notice it
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A brand new MLitt in Theatre Studies in collaboration with Dundee University and The Rep launched with a flying start - the enthusiasm of everyone involved has been spectacular, and I'm so happy to have chosen to study here!
<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> Dundee "law" provides a spectacular view to the whole city center and from which you can enjoy the amazing view of Tay River. The Law itself has a very old history whereby it was used as Iron Age hillfort and prehistoric graves dating to about 1500 BC have been uncovered on its slopes. Roman pottery dating from the 1st century AD has also been discovered (see http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/supportservs/dundeelaw).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> River Tay is amazing on any day with its many facets. Dark and gloomy, foggy and mysterious, bright and sunny, and the occasional seals.
The research ongoing in University of Dundee and Ninewells Hospital aiso punches above its weight internationally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Since having my son who is 2 I've rediscovered Dundee, in particular some of the incredible green spaces we have.Balgay and Magdalen are within walking distance for us, however the Botanic Gardens (or the jungle as my son refers to it) is a little haven full of surprises. Perfect for picnics, playtime and public art. They've hosted some incredible events over the years, N_ILK at the Botanics being one of my favourites.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a pupil who is and has been part of many Dundee Schools activities, such as Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, the Youth Music Initiative and Dundee Schools Orchestras, I have been able to perform on stage at the Caird Hall and the Whitehall Theatre, I have made many new friends and I have learned many different skills.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 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> That you're never more than 6 feet away from a game developer.

And that there are so many opportunities for them to develop and flourish here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Local bands make the city what it is. Energy, Excitement and Dedication. What more can you give?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Not only does Dundee host internationally touring dance company SDT, but it also home to the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance. The people within this school are incredible. They hold there own against the likes of those training at Laban and the London Contemporary Dance School in terms of technique, and stand out as being a highly artistic bunch.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Art bar. DCA. The people.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Continually evolving and re-inventing itself whilst celebrating its past, Dundee is renowned for its multi-cultural tolerance and embraces its diversity more than any city I've experienced in the UK.
Civic pride has seen a long overdue resurgence in a city often overshadowed, unjustly, by its neighbours.
A keen eye will also detect a subtly unique architectural style not witnessed elsewhere in Scotland.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Beautiful green spaces especially Baxter Park in the middle if a city.
Friendly people and great amenities.
Always sunny.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The miniature bandstand on the Perth Road
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the Darcy Thompson museum. The university has a wonderful collection of art as well. The breadth and volume of cultural events in the city is amazing. Dundee's siting is handsome being on the river and its parks are a wonderful asset - areas like Balgay and Magdalen Yard, Camperdown, etc.

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