:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Dundee is such a friendly city. People will welcome you and help you out in any way they can. I moved here 10 years ago and it’s the best thing I ever did – I’ve made so many wonderful friends. There’s such a buzz about Dundee – from great pubs like Clarks and the Phoenix, to the music scene, the university, the literary and creative people – everyone is so proud of what they’ve got here. Top that with all the sunshine, beautiful Broughty Ferry, the river, beach, parks, views, shops and museums and it’s just got everything. I love it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having studied at the University of Dundee for almost three years now, the way in which the university runs itself in relation to the city is incredible. I have really enjoyed the uni bringing in all aspects of Dundee to uni campus. It makes me feel like I not only belong at uni but I belong in Dundee itself.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Lively city minutes from sea, sand, hills and glens.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design continues to 'fleh heh' as one of Britain's Top 5 art schools, but paradoxically remains a hidden gem, both locally and nationally.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Unassuming. Despite the magnificent setting, the wonderful cultural quarter and being the gateway to some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery.

The courage and vision of the Council which have led to so many changes in recent years, have created confidence but lost none of that lovely unassuming and quietly courteous quality which characterises Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's a growing swing dance scene spurred on by the Universities swing dance society.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are wonderful and the place is absolutely smashing

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm always struck by how good it feels to see so much going on all around me. Just last night I was walking up the Queen's steps from the Greenmarket to the Perth Road amongst people just leaving Dundee Science Centre, excitedly discussing the Cafe Science talk they had just seen. They all soon merged with people gathered outside the DCA who were themselves indistinguishable from the theatre goers all heading towards the Rep to begin their evening's entertainment. Great to see.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> You can just go 1 mile outside of dundee,
then you are suddenly in the countryside,
with veiws which are amazing.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a brilliant place to live. Not only does it have a vibrant student population (of which I am part of), it is populated by fun, friendly and extremely proud natives. The Dundee dialect can be particularly amusing and the city's history is magnificent.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour and resilience of the people from Dundee. A sometimes self-depreciating fondness and pride of where we are from, despite the fact it has gone through some hard times Coming into Dundee from Fife, the city has a presence about it. Left 10 years ago, and would move back tomorrow if I could. And Goodfellows chocolate violets are my favourite thing in the world!

<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 architecture! Some of the most gorgeous gothic and 18th century buildings, completely hidden. So much more rewarding and arguably beautiful when they are hidden amongst or disguised as houses/shops.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee annual half marathon - great value and great race!
Bridgeview Restaurant and T Ann Cake - definitely hidden gems.
Cycling along riverside drive - invigorating and wonderful views
Dundee Law - what a view!
Dundee parkrun - almost a year old and a Saturday morning challenge at Camperdown

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most exciting thing for me recently was discovering all about the law tunnel! It would be amazing to be able to see it and walk through a piece of history that had been shut away for so long.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The abundance of hope, positivity and generosity of spirit apparent across every part of this city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's micro climate. All around it can be snowing heavily and you get to Dundee and the streets are clear. We also have more sunshine than other Scottish cities--which must help us be a more cheerful city !

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We are so fortunate to live here - we have the river, the hills, and best of all, good people!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a lovely wee city and an obvious choice for the UK City of Culture 2017! The view of the bridges driving along Riverside Drive are breathtaking. There are lots of lovely independant wee cafes and shops making it unique and there is so many exciting new developments taking place it really is the place to be!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like that Dundee has culture without pretentiousness;
that we have bands who play big festivals but still play in local pubs, and world class classical musicians playing in community centres and day centres for older people; and that I can be entertained on the way home from seeing Scottish Dance Theatre by a homeless guy dancing joyfully in the aisle of the bus while his mate plays a mouth organ.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived abroad on several occasions but always return home. I love the fact that I can walk everywhere, that it is a safe city especially for females and that with the new impetus of the V&A and investment Dundonians of all ages are supporting this bid.
I believe we have medico-science facilities second to none. An innovative Games industry.
As I am now a senior Dundee looks after me very well with marvellous fitness facilities.
The Dundee Rep Theatre is one of Scotland's best and the DCA offers a wide range of films, displays, workshops etc. Dundee to win.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I stay in Tayport which is over the Tay and in Fife, but I have worked in the City of Dundee for nearly 30 years.
I love cycling in to work along the Tay taking in the beauty of Dundee. From the beach and Castle at Broughty Ferry, the changing skyline and heart of the City, the twin peaks of Balgay Hill and the Law Hill, the Discovery in its dock.
The new V&A will be a new wonder to look at along with the rest of the waterfront changes.
City of discovery and worthy of this accolade!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a friendly city, and everything is easy to reach, as it is a small city. the Kingsway is a lovely road with all the flowers and plants. Dundee also has a lot of open park areas, and lots of trees.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city of many surprises, including our museums, our landscape, and our hidden gems like the howff graveyard. A medieval graveyard in beautiful condition.
Everyone here is incredibly friendly, and we merge the past and the future, only in Dundee do you find a university leading the way in technology and gaming, and one of the oldest universities in Scotland!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How friendly the people are.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Spent four amazing years at the duncan of jordanstone. Met some amazing people. Dundee is an inspiring and creative city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I was born and bred in Dundee and no matter where I have gone in the world I have always been pulled back. Dundee has a magical quality which my father kept alive for us through tales of glass staircases and worthies! As a nurse in Dundee I have had the privilege to have met and looked after a diverse and colourful cast of characters! I love our city and the people in it!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The mcManus and beautiful views along riverside.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Art bar, Reading Rooms and DCA!

<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> Spex pistols.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The dogs in the Campbeltown Bar, secret gigs at the Tin Roof Art studio or the recycling center, the stenciled graffiti that pops up every now and again.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are immensely proud of their city and the know how to celebrate its achievements. When Dundee United clinched the Premier League title back in '83 by beating their local rivals, Dundee FC, it was no surprise that both sets of fans celebrated into the small hours.
In what other city would this have happenned?

<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> The hidden gems of architecture scattered around the city along with the green spaces as your drive into Dundee along the river.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> it is a much more vibrant place to live and work than people expect and is full of wonderful surprises

<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> A history that could compare with any other major city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has something for everyone. For those quiet reflective moments when you can sit & listen to the waves lapping and look at the beautiful view of the Tay, the view changing depending on the weather. There are lots of places to visit like the McManus & DCA, there's retail therapy to be had, a quiet pint in the pub or a night out at a gig. I was brought up in Dundee but haven't lived there for many years. I visit family there regularly and am always struck by the friendliness of the people, and also how the city is always evolving and changing.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have always been surprised by the richness, diversity and quality of the Dundee music scene. I was brought up in Arbroath so when I was a young teenager, it was difficult to get to Glasgow and Edinburgh for gigs. However, I was never deprived of music as a result of this. I was always just a short bus ride away from experiencing my favourite bands or hearing incredible new live music, be it in small pubs or larger venues. I eventually went on to study in the city, and although I will graduate and leave Dundee this year, it will always hold a special place in my heart as the city that nurtured my love of music.

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

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

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great buildings - Gardyne's Land - original elements 1560, now preserved as a backpackers' hostel. St David's Rooms, - original elements early 1600's. 2 cathedrals - St Paul's and St Andrew's.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Braithwaites coffee shop. It's like stepping back in time!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee in 1990 from England. Immediately I was immersed in the culture, the language, the people - wonderful. One of my colleagues gave me a sheet full of Dundee-isms and a whole new language opened up to me. My all time favourite was seeing a warning sign in the old Overgate: wet pent. It's a unique place, full of history, strong women and working class-ness.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All Dundonians have time for you, even if, and, maybe, especially if, you are a stranger.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From McGonagall to International Book Prize
From Science Sensation to Arts Centre
From Botanical Garden to Dens Park
From yacht racing to ancient warship
From Bell Rock Lighthouse to Balgay Observatory
From Desperate Dan to Captain Scott
From Championship Golf to Championship Curling
From aerobatics over the Tay to freezing new year swims across the Tay
From seals basking by the old bridge to skeins of geese above it
From a visionary Repertory Company to world beating Cancer Researchers
Are we A city of culture?
No, we are THE City of Culture

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 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> As an 'honorary' Dundonian who has proudly worked here for nearly 20 years I feel sometimes that to the outside world the whole city is a hidden secret. From the beauty of the setting to the wealth of internationally sigificant heritage to the vibrancy of the cultural scene - all are waiting to be discovered. And when you add in the warm and welcoming people with their irrerevant sense of humour - a winning combination!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> we have the closest 2 football teams in the world. and dundee united are the only team in europe to have beaten barcelona everytime that we have played them in europe

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

<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> 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&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 & the Rep'. It has a dynamic student population and a world class Art & 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 & the Olympia pool, the Railway station & 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> I loved the atmosphere in the new Caird square on a cold crisp winter evening after listening to the Dundee Symphony Orchesta in the Caird hall, coming down the steps and looking at the Christmas lights and the tree and the people in Henry's coffee house enjoying the view. I love Braithwaite's coffee shop and the Cheesery on Exchange street. Drouthy's and the jute cafe and Dukes corner, the art bar. The macmanus Gallery

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland is probably the greatest place and family in the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Bustling atmosphere. Something's always happening.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Central Library is quite the best public library I have come across. Wonderful view over the Tay as well.

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