Professor Nikolai Zhelev who is the honorary Bulgarian consul to Dundee, Scotland, is also professor of biotechnology at the School of Contemporary Science at the University of Abertay Dundee. He has spent nine years in Scotland which has made him fall in love with Scotland's people, countryside and culture. As a result of this he has beome head of the Bulgarian Consulate in Dundee.

In 1999, Nikolai and a few friends set up the Bulgarian consulate on a voluntary basis. Dundee was chosen as there are approximately 500 Bulgarians living in Dundee. Dundee is home to a Bulgarian church, and has links with all official institutions. Among the leading activities of the consulate is organising Bulgarian exhibitions in Scotland one of these included a photo exhibition by the young Bulgarian photographer Vera Raycheva. The exhibition was called Crossworlds which compared Scotland with Bulgaria.

The City of Edinburgh Council recently hosted a Civic Reception in the European Room of Edinburgh City Cambers on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria and the accession of Bulgaria to the EU. At this celebration Professor Nikolai Zhelev along with Dirina Darpatova secretary, and Zhivko Gulaboff Chairman of the Scottish Bulgarian Association officiated. You can see in the picture opposite James MacDonald, who played Hungarian music on a very special set of Hungarian Bagpipes. It was indicated at the event that the local Scottish Bulgarian Association intend to create a Culture Centre in or near Dundee and are currently seeking funding from the National Lottery and other organisations. The centre will help Bulgarian and Slavak people. It would have facilities to enhance trade relations and have resources to assist Bulgarian migrant workers. The concept is to support active citizenship. This being achieved through the use of a supporting library and creche along with a lunch club for like minded Bulgarians. www.bulgarianconsulatescotland.org.uk.