We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

Ever since my wife and I moved to Dundee, we have been delightfully surprised by so many public lectures on various topics in the forms of Saturday Night Lecture Series, Arts Cafe and Science Cafe. I had my favourite book singed by the author in one of the lectures. In addition, the City is full of exciting galleries, restaurants and cafes, many of which are used for the public lectures. Surrounding the City, there are so many breathtaking natural sceneries, which are very much intellectually stimulating and at the same time emotionally comforting.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum! It's hidden away on Dundee University campus but has stuffed animals, skeletons and fossils from all around the world. A fascinating look at the work of a very intersting Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city that boasts two different football teams on opposite sides of the same street.
It has a hill that is the Law &amp; should never be known as both.
The past is remembered &amp; cherished &amp; the future faced as a challenge.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No place can beat Dundee for green space and places to walk. Just begin to list the parks. Walking through cemetery and up to the observatory gives stunning views across Invergowrie bay and then to the North. Having lived in Glasgow for six years, I am continually reminded of what a great job the City does maintaining the parks and keeping the streets and open areas clean. Everyone I encourage to visit, loves it and can't believe they have never thought of coming to Dundee before.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its really come on since I lived there until 2007.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I recently moved here as an intern in the University of Dundee Museum Services. I am delighted to be part of a city with so much culture, and I was surprised at the amount of history and culture Dundee has. Knowing hardly anything about the city, I look forward to learning all there is to know (if that's even possible!)
<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> Dundee is one of the sunniest places in Scotland (when the sun actually shines) and looking out to the Tay, especially from the top of the law, is always breathtaking.
<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> The amazing work our volunteer organisations do with the youth of today – be it Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade, Brownies, Guides or Scouts and not forgetting the many sports teams, community centres, dance or music classes that Dundee volunteers support.  The many volunteers who help the sick, elderly, vulnerable, meals on wheels, support charity shops, fundraising events, support at courts and hospitals and many other tasks not listed.
<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> 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.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a great northern soul scene where people of all ages come together and share their love of brilliant soul music and dance the night away. Everyone who goes dances and its all about the music. Everyone who goes loves it!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amazing move from industry like jute to the sciences and arts. Also the jumping drags at invergowrie house and the red squirrels that can be seen around camperdown. The amazing river Tay sets the city as beautiful as any other.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Such a compact yet diverse city, providing far more for my education than simply getting a degree! The ability to get to know so many students over so many disciplines and meet so many of the local Dundonians over a four year period has been an abiding memory for well over thirty years! An honest,down to earth city with a rich academic and industrial heritage, marvellously blended with it's enchanting outlook over the Tay! Culture without a hint of pretentiousness!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Great quality of life - great little city with great access to countryside, beach, and bigger cities - best of all worlds. And it's the friendliest place I've ever lived. Lovely parks too, can't beat a sunny afternoon on Magdalen Green overlooking the sparkly Tay!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is not a big city, it's maybe not even a well known city. However, what it lacks in size or fame, it makes up for in quality. Aside from the booming arts scene, I believe that it punches well and truly above it's weight in the field of science. Whether it's fighting cancer, investigating diabetes or tackling tropical diseases, scientists from over 62 nationalities work in Dundee- truly the city of discovery!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of sporting alert in Dundee is amazing, hockey is my sport and to see it grow so rapidly since renovation of facilities is wonderful
<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> 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> Great little place with a little bit of everything.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Discovery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I don't think this is classed as a "hidden secret" but it's something I hope will be highlighted as part of Dundee's cultural activity - the annual blues bonanza held at the end of June each year - purported to be the biggest free blues festival in Europe, and hugely popular with the artists and audiences alike.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The mix of old and new, the energy of the place, the huge student population, there are so many hidden surprises here!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am excited by the work of Literary Dundee - the literary festival and book prize, their monthly salons and sundry projects and publications. Literary Dundee celebrates the bright creative talents of writers in the city, and brings exciting literary figures to Dundonian audiences.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Renowned theatre, innovative youth theatre, spectacular dance events, poetry readings, talented local bands, lively music scene, book signings, new writing seminars, unexpected architecture round surprising corners, Hundreds (if not more) of artists in residence. new and original Film makers, comedy nights and comedy acts. Creativity run amok! And beautiful location!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me this is about saying 'thank you' to a city that made me feel so welcome and has become home! And, for me, it's the hidden surprises that make Dundee so special; the enigmatic jute mills awaiting rescue, the seals on the sandbanks under the rail bridge, daffodils in The Howff in the spring; the lovingly tended parks and forestry.... All this and we still have so much to look forward to! The V&amp;A and the whole waterfront redevelopment - I can't wait!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> went to dundee to see the leonardo exhibition. it was wonderful but I was surprised at how wonderful the city was also. go Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm not a Dundonian, but moved here some 28 years ago from the "West Coast" - and would never contemplate moving back.
This city has everything, and the ability to evolve with the times. It constantly improves - just as you think it couldn't get much better. There might be bigger cities in Scotland - but none has anything Dundee can't match or indeed - better.
Sometimes thought of as the biggest village in the world - it has everything whilst retaining the special feeling of a small and friendly town. That is the magic of this city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a goldilocks sized city with giant ambitions. It is a melting pot of creativity and the size of the city means that people can really get together and make things happen. Pretty awsome things.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city is making such an effort to modernise with its riverfront plans.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The strong sense of community identity. All over city local people are working together to celebrate and improve their neighbourhoods through local festivals, drama performances, litter picks, mosaics and gardening projects.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> 24*7 open Clarks bakery always attracts me with variuos flavors, tastes of pasteries and pies. I am loving it so much that I started living nearby it &amp; let open my window for the sweet fragnance of cooking.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Language, vibe, situation
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Looking out of my office window on a bright spring day makes me so glad to be Dundonian. The calm, still waters of the beautiful River Tay, beyond Seabraes Gardens with flowers in bloom and benches, invites you to sit and contemplate. I am inspired by the serenity of this City, safe and peaceful. There is an open &amp; honest nature to the people of Dundee reflecting it's surroundings. The University campus in the heart of the City is a hive of learning &amp; activity for many cultures and nations with no barriers. I am proud to be a Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The charity shops up the Perth Road are the bees knees for vintage finds and prescious trinkets! Karen Kelbie from Shelter is always standing out the front of her shop with a cup of tea chatting to people as they walk past. I volunteered there as a student and everytime I walked through the shop door Karen or Liz would say "I'll put the kettle on" Never have I felt so welcomed.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is simply a stunning place to live, with incredible views and access to nature and wilderness on your doorstep, but all the history and vibrancy of an ancient and thriving city. The people are warm and canny with an eye always open for progress they can believe in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its labour history and political history is a deep and wonderful vein for a historian to study.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The availblity of the arts for everyone
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance is based in Dundee and is the only training centre of its kind in Scotland. It is not recognised enough!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity ! and in a really good way . The West end is my home and there is so much going on. I work in the digital sector and what I admire about Dundee is that although it strives forward technologically it is still rich in tradition, but what really surprises and delights me is that you find such a variety of craft, design and culture in Dundee without having to look to find it. Its fantastic
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a fabulously diverse city, with a vibrant arts scene, from great productions at the Rep to outstanding exhibits at DCA, and the newly refurbished McManus galleries. There's always something to entertain, challenge and excite.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Creative, vibrant &amp; friendly city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the small grassroots voluntary arts organisations to the organisations, teams and Directors of the city's notable arts venues, to business that invests and sponsors culture in Dundee. Everyone has a voice and space to discuss, join in and start up. Its an inclusive city where art and culture are not out of bounds or highbrow, its open to anyone.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's public art, it pops up and surprises you when you least expect it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Quite a few things.....Cycling to work and seeing seals on the sandbanks of the Tay! The Howff as a picnic spot and new independent coffee shops. The Cheesery....ok, that's all food related....The view of the river at night with the twinkly lights across the Tay.. Straightforwardness and modesty of the people. Creativity and accessibility. The wonderful research going on and the impact and distinctiveness of our universities.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's under appreciated (and mostly free) music scene showcases a huge array of local talent and really makes me proud of what the people of this city are capable of achieving.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its tenacity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Lovely city with great potential, small but full with its multicultural people, never feel outcast..
I truly liked how people are very proud of Dundee, even if they are not Dundonians .. I am one of them :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is full of wonderful musicians, people and their own humour. The redevelopment that is going on is so overdue and when finished will place Dundee well and truly on the map of culture where it so rightly belongs.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The airport is a treat - 5 minutes from check in to take off - and that's without a private jet.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Templeton Woods, one of many public outdoor spaces in and near Dundee, is a wonderful place with fun artwork
<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> Doesn't matter where you are or how many times you've been in a certain place but if you stop for a minute and have a good look there is always something that will surprise you and catch your eye about Dundee. Whether it be buildings or people it is an amazing city to be in.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's industrial history as a centre for textile production is apparent throughout the city. Numerous former jute mills remain standing and while some lay derelict, many have been converted into alternate usages. Of particular note are the Tay Works, built by the Gilroy Brothers c.1850-1865, Camperdown Works in Lochee, which built and owned by Cox Brothers, one of Europe's largest jute manufacturing companies, and begun in 1849, and Upper Dens Mill and Lower Dens Works, built by the Baxter Brothers in the mid 19th century.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Culture is more than just art, theatre and buildings it is also about history and social morals and I believe Dundee is second to none on these areas.
1777 Dundee Joseph Knight a “Negro” slave won his freedom from his master Wedderburn when he successfully argued that “slavery was not recognised by Scots Law and runaway slaves (or 'perpetual servants') could be protected by the courts, if they wished to leave domestic services or were resisting attempts to return them to slavery in the colonies”. This was in effect abolishing slavery 100 years before the UK Parliament.
Dundee also has Mary Slessor who moved from Aberdeen to Dundee at the age of 11, Lily walker and many many more who stood up against tyranny and injustice to change the political and moral culture of our city and our country to make it more caring and equal for all.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> being from Dundee and having travelled and lived out with the city, it is great to see how cultured and cosmopolitan Dundee is!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Reputedly the FINEST WATERFRONT LOCATION in all of Europe. The SUNNIEST city in Scotland. FRIENDLY &amp; WELCOMING locals.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Discovery Point is an amazing visitor attraction in Dundee. A must see for any visitor.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Only in Dundee can one find such an eclectic choice of specialist shops, in particular specialist food shops
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The village community. The length of time we spend playing 'wha d'ye ken?'; a game which involves 2 initially unfamilar Dundonians grilling each other on past schools, jobs, pals, cousins and favoured social locations until a mutual connection is inevitably established (and all is right in the world again).
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> we have been working on an environmental and cultural project linked to the amazing Dighty Burn...oh...so many people interested in so many aspects of this area...
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is outward-looking boasting the Mills observatory, one of the few major public-access observatories in any UK city, as well as having introspective tendencies with high resolution microscopy, and views both inward and outward looking via satellite receiving stations.

The unaided views to the naked eye are also quite stunning from estuarial sunrises to majestic river Tay sunsets, and all the intervening splendour of a cosmopolitan urban landscape. We are also pretty good at ultimate frisbee !
<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> I have always found, throughout my creative life, spanning 30 years, an innate spirit of collaboration. A strong willingness to share, develop, foster belief, and support ideas, pulling together to produce all kinds of wonderful. Dundee is the City of Ideas.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Based in Dundee you can, within a short drive, ski, snowboard, sail, windsurf, shoot, curl, skate, golf and a whole lot more. Not many cities can claim that.
Culturally the REp and DCA are amazing but the surrounding county towns also offer so much.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> From the city's dynamic centre, within 15 minutes you are in beautifully peaceful countryside or at the beach with the waves crashing on the shore. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the ground roots style activism that seems to make the City belong more to the people of the community than any other city I know. The very strong games community is one example. Another is the West End Festival that is organised by some very cool Dundonians!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a beautiful city with a vibrant student community and friendly, community conscious locals.
Each year the local Jazz Festival bring people from all over the UK and further afield. The city comes to life and the atmosphere is fantastic .
The parks and surrounding beaches are great for children and families - and its free!
Dundee is truly a city where People are the cultural centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its stunning location and diversity
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I came to Dundee for a weekend break 39 years ago and never left. All those beautiful green parks with stunning countryside on the doorstep. Four theatres and two museums and a planned Arts Centre( now the DCA) offer plenty to do. The people always were,and still are, welcoming and friendly
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The best Tai Chi sessions are led by Iain Traynor at the Boomerang Hall, Albert Street, Stobswell. You can also volunteer at the Dundee Botanics Gardens, Perth Road - come and join us for lots of weeding, chipping, potting up and planting out - it's great exercise too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich variety of events that go on in the city everyday. The community spirit that prevails no matter what part of the city you are in, and of course the dundonian sense of humour
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> that no matter what high spot you are standing on in Dundee we have the most stunning views surrounding us from the view across the tay to the sidlaws at the back .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> moved to Dundee 2 years ago and love the difference here compared to other cities. Within a 5-10 minute drive you can be shopping in the centre or walking on the beach or one of the many beautiful greenspaces around the city. Camperdown Park and Clatto Reservoir are especially beautiful locations.
<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> AMBITION and LOYALTY

i LOVE that the people of Dundee have HUGE ambitions and are very loyal to the city. I strive to meet my ambitions everyday and for five years have seen a MASSIVE amount of my customers share and live theirs too!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are very welcoming and friendly people, Also the history of Dundee is very interesting.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are wonderful, there is always something to do at the weekend and something to go see. A wonderful place to live and study.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Mills Observatory.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich and dazzling diversity of faiths and cultures which Dundee is home to is truly unexpected and fascinating. Dundee celebrates community better than any city I know and champions traditional and contemporary arts, theatre and dance. The Scottish Dance Theatre, The Rep Theatre, The DCA etc. etc. etc. The Nilupul Centre with it's traditional Buddhist Shrine room and artwork is a real 'hidden gem'.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the art that is around the city. There are the penguin statues outside the overgate (which have santa hats put on them for Christmas); a scary looking dragon on the high street and of course desperate dan standing in the city center. My favourites are the more modern looking metal sculptures like the paper planes which are found across from the airport.
As for a hidden secret I really like the planet trail at the Mills observatory where you can walk across the beautiful park and walk from the sun to pluto. Each planet is represented by a rock with a plaque giving information about the planet. The distances between each planet is a scaled down model of reality so it can be hard to find Neptune!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Perth rd for drinks and food on a Friday after work. Taxi home at 10.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee - sunniest city in Scotland, fact!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the absolute electricity that flows through Dundee's music scene is one that will never be matched for authenticity.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is so diverse. We are a City, surrounded by countryside 5 minutes drive away and sitting on the Firth of Tay, with a beach in Brought Ferry. We are also mad as this picture shows The New Year Dook!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Everything surprises me about Dundee. The resilience of the people, the beauty of the surroundings, the quality of the current vision for the City - Mostly though its the talent of the people; the music makers, artists, film makers, web designers, game designers, dancers, actors.....the list goes on and on. We produce, we create, we watch, we enable, we educate, we enjoy, we interact, we dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a city in the middle of the most beautiful countryside. I love going my business about the city and suddenly getting a glimpse of the snow capped Sidlaws, the sun sparkling on the Tay, or the green hills of Fife. And in what other city can you spot red squirrels or watch seals sunbathing on a sandbank just metres away?
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are very honest and there is no falseness around them, no pretense
Oh and did I forget to mention the CAHID centre, the best in its field in the uk by far
<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> The Buzz around the city and the combined excitment about the waterfront no matter who people are.
<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> Friendly People
new independant shops opening

Events - Free Dundee Uni lectures on a Saturday
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Davy's ice-cream parlour in Lochee was where my parents courted in the 1950s - they introduced me and my brother to the unique delicious flavour in the 1970s and 1980s.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Hotchpotch! An open mic night for writers every month in Braes pub on the Perth road!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people are its best asset - witty, genuine and friendly.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The great art collection in the McManus Gallery. And the great mixture of Architecture in the city such as the grand old houses.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me it's the presence of cultural opportunity - as a musician, I'm forever finding new openings within the city, where I can express myself and be creative with scores of others like me.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an amazing city which deserves to be recognised as the UK city of culture. There are various reasons for it including the various interpretations of the term 'culture'. In terms of cultural capital, there is a lot of cultural diversity within our communities, which come together through public fora and work of the organisations such as our primary and secondary schools, two universities, college, Dundee Rep, DCA, McManus Galleries etc. One has to just google 'what is on in Dundee' to realise that we have various cultural events everyday and every individual in the city directly or indirectly plays a part in making this city so culturally rich. The arrival of V&amp;A is going to put us even more prominently on the world map as the cultural city of not only UK but the world. We strongly believe that Dundee is THE UK city of culture!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Blues Bonanza! Europe's largest blues festival, now expanded and showcases many different genres, the city center is buzzing for two days. One of my favorite things in Dundee of many - Degree show, west fest, the ferry, many parks, views from the law, water front, DCA, Mcmanus, reading rooms, Dundee oldest pub pillars, the SALTY DOG for one of the most unusual pub experiences unlikely to be found anywhere else in the UK. And best of all the people!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Barnhill Rockgarden, great fun and very beautiful, pools and waterfalls, secret paths, a myriad of different leaves and flowers, wildlife and plenty of bushes and trees for hide and seek!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> something for every age group
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> such a lovely variety of things to see and do, indoors and outdoors - something for everyone!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing is "normal" about Dundee. Having lived there for 4 years at university, the thing that most surprises me is the notion so many Scottish people have of the place: "Dundee? That's a dump" being the consensus of nearly 100% of those who've never been. The lovely secret held by those who have is that it is one of the most wonderfully inviting, absorbing, positive, encouraging, resourceful and accepting small cities in the world. Do we really want to share that secret? Oh, go on then!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> No Body's Fool..... Dundee is the peoples city. Bordering now on all sides by Dundee relocaters Inclduing heading up the coast to Monifieth and beyond....invergowrie and Inchture and beyond including Newport, Tayport and St Andrews. Dundee has a great surrounding of People offering artisan, cultural and musical ideas and delivering something special for and too our City.
To me Dundee has it all .....too small to be a big shot and so different that you canna forget her!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The warmth and friendliness of the Dundonians always makes me smile. I love the sense of history, the hidden gems, the cafe culture and the great selection of shops. Everyone you meet has a tale to tell, or a joke to share. I love walking down the Perth Road either past the university into the bustle of the town or out towards the Botanical Gardens, a special place of peace and tranquillity. I love to walk in Dudhope Park, especially when the leaves are changing in the Autumn or sit looking out over the Tay in the evening when the light is changing. There is hope and potential in it's people and it's places.
<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 people are the best - real and down to earth. The art scene and music scene is fantastic. I wouldn't be working in film and doing what I do - if I didn't know where I come from - Dundee.

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