Dundee

Coming to study for my Postgraduate Masters at Abertay University has also, of course, involved moving to Dundee. Over the past few years, I have studied in Glasgow, which I love (I don't know anybody who hasn't fallen for Glasgow, after a few years spent living there - there are even Facebook groups about it!) I have worked in Glasgow, worked in Edinburgh and then spent a little while living in Manchester which for some reason seemed very foreign. But perhaps that was because I was working long hours in Cheshire, was living in a very cold house, with very little money, and hardly saw anything of the real city at all!

Dundee has an odd reputation in Scotland. People seem to drive round it on the way to other places - on the way from Aberdeen or the Highlands, to the Central Belt - but they don't always visit it. And yet, perhaps of all the cities in Scotland, Dundee is the place that is undergoing the most stunning transformation. It is, of course, an old industrial city, with a complex waterfront, amazing views across the Firth of Tay to Fife, two universities, one old and distinguished, one new and equally distinguished! The waterfront is graced by the beautiful old ship, Captain Scott's ship, The Discovery, with a fascinating interpretation centre alongside.There are museums, galleries, and now the V and A is also coming to Dundee (and follow the link for a sight of some truly stunning designs!) In short, for a small and manageable city - it's possible to walk almost anywhere within the central area - there is a lot to see and do, and a real sense of excitement and possibilities for the future. Maybe I should be working for the local tourist board! But sometimes, when students are applying for courses, they forget that they will actually have to live in a city or town for a long time. Dundee has a lot to recommend it.