Once famous for the three J's – jam, jute and journalism – Dundee’s revival began with the homecoming of Captain’s Scott’s ship, the RRS Discovery, and this has been further enhanced with the arrival of the stunning new V&A Dundee museum on the revitalized waterfront.
Discover Dundee’s history
Scott’s ship is moored at Discovery Point, just off the exit from the Tay Road Bridge and opposite the railway station. A fascinating exhibition gives extensive insight into the polar expedition of 1901-04, as well as the ill-fated follow-up on the Terra Nova, when Scott and his team were beaten to the South Pole by Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Afterwards, set aside some time to climb aboard the original ship itself for a guided audio tour which brings the whole experience to life.
Overlooking the Discovery is the striking V&A Dundee, a major cultural coup for the city. Shaped like two vast ship hulls, this is the first ever dedicated design museum in the country, with displays showcasing Scottish creativity side by side with the best of design from around the world.
To the west of the city center, close to the main college campus, is Verdant Works, a beautifully restored former jute mill that tells the story of Dundee’s proud industrial textile heritage in a series of fascinating interactive exhibits. A joint ticket is available for access to both here and the Discovery ship.
Another cultural highlight is the MacManus Art Gallery & Museum, housed in an impressive Gothic revival building in the city center. It features a collection of 19th and 20th century Scottish art as well as displays on local history. Directly opposite stands a monument to one of Dundee’s other ‘J’s’, journalism. DC Thomson’s Meadowside building is home to many of Britain’s best-loved comic characters such as Dennis the Menace and the Bash Street Kids.
Resplendent retail therapy
Dundee’s shopping is excellent and you’ll find most of its big-name stores focused on the pedestrianized Murraygate and High Street. This is bookended by the Wellgate Center shopping mall at the north-east end and the more upmarket Overgate Center mall at the south-western end. In between, running south to the redeveloped waterfront, you’ll find the streets lined with quirky independent stores and cafés.
Great golf, beautiful scenery and lots of history
Dundee is surrounded by gorgeous coastal scenery and some very famous golf courses. Only 13 miles to the east is the lovely seaside suburb of Carnoustie, a notoriously tough course which has claimed many a victim, most notably Jean van de Velde, who threw away his chance at winning The Open in 1999, ankle deep in a water hazard. Across the bridge, in Fife, sits St Andrews, the spiritual home of golf. It boasts a fascinating history, as well asa cathedral, castle and the oldest college in the country.
Some 12 miles north of Dundee stands Glamis Castle, one of Scotland’s finest. Ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372, Glamis was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish play’, as well as being the childhood home of the Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. The extensive and stunningly beautiful grounds are well worth exploring, especially in spring.
With all of this and more to discover, car rental in Dundee is the best way to throw yourself into Scotland and the rest of the UK.