Dundee

A Historical Mecca

Dundee has undergone major regeneration since the decline of its jute manufacturing industry and is now a vibrant city with a lively cultural life, interesting historical attractions and a variety of leisure facilities. The main visitor attraction is the three-masted RHS Discovery, built in 1900 for Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition, which visitors can board. There are interesting audiovisual displays and exhibitions about Scott's expedition, sited at Discovery Point.

RHS Discovery

Northeast of the Tay Bridge is the 1824 46 cannon HMS Frigate Unicorn, the oldest British warship afloat, which was superseded by steam frigates in the mid-19th century and used as a training ship. Verdant Works is an interesting museum about the local jute industry showing the harvesting of the raw material in India, its processing operations and the production of a range of goods, with working machinery on display.

The McManus Art Galleries and Museum has many fascinating exhibits including information about the Tay Rail Bridge disaster in 1879 when it collapsed during a storm. Dundee Contemporary Arts exhibits work by UK and international contemporary artists, is a centre for artists and craftspeople and has a cinema featuring art-house and classic films.

A climb up the 174 metre Dundee Law provides great views of Dundee, the bridges and across to Fife and a walk up Balgay Hill is rewarded by a visit to the Mills Observatory. There is also an airport not far from the city, as well as regular trains and buses to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

From Dundee, road and rail bridges cross the Tay providing convenient links to places like St Andrews, Falkland and the fishing villages of the East Neuk, while the A90 dual carriageway will take you to Perth in under half an hour.