Dundee prided itself on its thriving industries, a legacy still celebrated today. No visitor to the city can leave without hearing the term '3 Js' used - referring to the three industries on which the city's heritage was founded: Jute, Jam and Journalism. The association with jute is all around, the mighty 'stacks' tower over you serving as a reminder of those who sweated to keep them stoked. The city's textile heritage provides the inspiration for one of its principal tourist attractions - Verdant Works.
The association with jam started when a Dundee grocer named Keiller bought a cargo of oranges from a ship seeking a port in a storm. They were made into marmalade by his wife and a sweet-tasting success story followed. The city is home to a great tradition of journalism and two of its most famous 'residents' - Desperate Dan and Denis the Menace - were created for Dundee-based DC Thomson's comics and papers.
Dundee's Victorian boom not only created a rich industrial heritage but left the city's public art collections and museums generously endowed with gifts from wealthy citizens.These days Dundee has much to be proud of - a recent quality of life survey among UK cities ranked Dundee head and shoulders above many of the rest. Its clean air renowned to be low in pollution and 'sunshine hours' way up on many areas in the south - providing a breath of fresh air for visitors.
Old and new co-exist in total harmony in this energetic city. The city centre is a shopper's paradise, where major department stores co-exist with specialist shops tucked away in side streets. The aroma from some of the UK's finest bakers, where you can sample delicious bridies, speciality pies, tempting butteries and the famous 'Dundee Cake', wafts out to tempt you in.
With just under 10% of the city's population studying at one of the universities or colleges, Dundee is frequently the first choice for students who want to study in a city where there is plenty going on. The high percentage of students in the city make Dundee a buzzing place to be by night, with a lively pub and club scene.
