If you're visiting Dundee for the first time, let me be the first to say congratulations. You'll be visiting Scotland's coolest city, sunniest city, and oldest city! But before you think you know the city off by chance, there are a few things you need to know on your first visit to Dundee!

It’s a circle, not a roundabout

If you're on the Kingsway and call the thing by the junction a "roundabout," be prepared for a Dundonian to correct you. It’s a circle. End of discussion.

The 24-hour bakery is a local legend

Clark’s Bakery is your go-to for a late-night (or early-morning) fix of a peh, a rolling hot dog, or a yum-yum. Never go hungry in Dundee!

The Law isn’t a legal thing

The Dundee Law is the city’s iconic hill, offering the best panoramic views. It’s not a reference to the police or the courts!

Bonus: And it's not called the "Law Hill", when you say that you're basically saying "Hill Hill" because in Scots, "Law" means "Hill!"

It’s "The Ferry", not Broughty Ferry

Locals will refer to the seaside suburb simply as "The Ferry." Adding "Broughty" makes you sound like an outsider.

"Eh’ll eh" is an actual phrase

If someone says this, they’re not malfunctioning – it just means "I will" in proper Dundonian.

The Tay Rail Bridge has a ghost story

If you're crossing the Tay by train, you’re passing over the site of the 1879 disaster where the original bridge collapsed in a storm. Some say you can still hear the spirits of lost passengers…

15 degrees is basically summer

When it hits 15 degrees in Dundee, it's basically summer - or as we Dundonians and Scots love to say "taps aff!" If it is 15 degrees and sunny, then no one will complain - in fact the locals might even take inspiration from you!

You’ll struggle to find a "Dundee cake" in Dundee

Despite its name, Dundee Cake isn’t something you’ll see everywhere in the city. It can be at times, more famous outside of Dundee than within it!

Dundee Uni students have their own language for places

"The Liar" means the student union (The Liar Bar), not someone who tells fibs, and "Maggie’s" is a pub, not a person.

The penguins are everywhere, but they’re not real

You’ll find statues of penguins all over Dundee, thanks to the city’s connection to Antarctic exploration. But if you hear "Check the penguins at Discovery Point," don’t expect live ones!