He may not have touched a cow pie since 2005, but Desperate Dan is still Dundee’s most colourful resident – and it has had a few. Scotland’s fourth-largest city is quite extraordinary; its fame fashioned from jute, jam and journalism. Scotland’s City Of Discovery has a remarkable story. Dundee sits on the north bank of the River Tay, close to Scotland’s north-east coast. Its long and elastic history stretches all the way back to the Iron Age, when the city was the preserve of the Picts. In the 16th century, the city’s strategic position on the estuarine Tay saw it enter a bloody period in its history, as it became embroiled in the many battles between Scotland and England that arose out of the dissolution of the Treaty Of Greenwich. Dundee was built from sterner stuff than Anglo-Scottish relations of that time and the city survived. And it was during the overtime of the Industrial Revolution that 19th century Dundee’s fortunes would bloom, interwoven with its buoyant textiles industry; jute, to be exact. Dundee was a major producer of textiles, principally linen, but by the 1830s, jute was the city’s principal industry. The boom in jute production saw, at its height in 1861, almost 50,000 people employed in the mills and hand looms of the city and its suburbs. Dundee became ‘Juteopolis’. But, as with Scotland’s textile industry as a whole, decline was inevitable, and competition from Indian firms in the 1920s closed Dundee’s jute mills. The industry’s legacy lives on. The Verdant Works are a faithfully restored jute mill, complete with an interactive visitor centre, making it an excellent place to visit and learn about the history of the jute industry in Dundee. Jam, or marmalade to be precise, was another pillar in the Dundee economy, after Janet Keiller’s epiphany when faced with the overly-tart Seville oranges. Unpalatable as eating fruit, delectable in marmalade: the Keiller’s soon made their name in transforming Seville oranges into gourmet preserves. In 1797, with her husband, James, Keiller’s Dundee marmalade was made commercially and exported worldwide, livening up many a loaf or a scone and bringing Dundee’s name to breakfast tables the world over. It was publishers D C Thomson and Co that gave Dundee a reputation for journalism. Established in 1905, the publisher’s most famous titles are undoubtedly its comics, The Dandy and The Beano, but its publications also included newspapers and magazines like The People’s Friend and The Sunday Post. With characters like prickly-chinned cowboy Desperate Dan, Dennis The Menace and The Bash Street Kids, D C Thomson’s comics were a lively and integral part of playground life. And in Oor Wullie, published in The Sunday Post, Scotland had an impish anti-hero, whose misadventures along with The Broons, have become an important part of popular culture in Scotland. D C Thomson and Co still produce more than 200 million newspapers, magazines and comics a year. An exhibition of more conventional heroism and adventure, Discovery Point Antarctic Museum, on Dundee’s waterfront, is now home to Scott of the Antarctic’s ship, RRS Discovery. The ship was built in Dundee and now faithfully restored, the Discovery is open to the public, giving visitors a sense of proportion and context when appreciating what Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his crew experienced on their last journey to the South Pole. Remember, this is the ship that spent two consecutive winters imprisoned in the ice, before Scott managed to free her and return home. Discovery Point’s exhibits are a wonderful tribute to the men who braved the world’s most hostile environment and eventually paid the ultimate price. Dundee is a city assured and confident in its own identity; it has an appreciation of its heritage in Scottish culture and is busy setting about building its future. Visitors to Dundee will find a modern city that has plenty to see and do. But after discovering the city’s vibrant past, its shops, its art and its people; you may work up an appetite. But don’t count on locking horns with a cow pie; just ask Dan, they’re off the menu.
Attraction
Broughty Ferry Beach
Camperdown Country Park
Claypotts Castle
Discovery Point/RRS Discovery and Verdant Works
Dundee University Botanic Gardens
Frigate Unicorn
Jungle Kids
McManus Collections Unit
Mills Observatory
Monikie Country Park
The New Duntrune Demonstration Garden
Verdant Works
Budget
Dundee East Premier Lodge *book online*
Premier Inn Dundee Centre *book online*
Premier Inn Dundee East *book online*
Premier Inn Dundee North *book online*
Premier Inn Dundee West *book online*
The New Dundee Carlton Hotel *book online*
Travelodge Dundee *book online*
Travelodge Dundee Central *book online*
Care Home
Forebank Care Home
Rosebank Care Home
Tullideph Care Home
Casino
Cinema
Classes
Dance - The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance
Yoga - Angus Lockhart
Yoga - Margo Romberg Yoga
Yoga Dundee
Club
Deja Vu
Fat Sams
Oasis
Westport Bar
Council
Dentist
Barnhill Dental Practice
Hillclock Dental Surgery
Kingsway Dental Practice
Lochee Road Dental Surgery
Logie & Stanfield Dental Practice
Mrs Avril Aitken & Associates
The Dental Surgery
White Pearl Dental Practice
Whitehall Street Dental Surgery
Doctor
Ancrum Medical Centre
Hawkhill Medical Centre
Lochee Health Centre
Ryehill Health Centre
Westgate Health Centre
Estate Agent
Alan J Baillie Solicitors & Estate Agents
Anderson Paul R
Brown Michael A
Carlton Gilruth Property Services
Keiller James Estates
Miller Hendry
Tayside Solicitors Property Centre
Thorntons Property Services
Farmers Market
Golf Club
DownfieldHealth and Fitness Club
Fitness First Dundee
Just Fitness Health Club
LivingWell Dundee
Next Generation Club
Retreat Dundee
Holiday Park
Kingennie Lodges
Piperdam Park
Inn
Market
Dens Road Market
Dundee Farmers Market
Performing Arts
Activate Scotland
Dundee Choral Union
Dundee Repertory Theatre
Dundee Symphony Orchestra
Stagecoach Theatre Arts
Star Ballroom
Tayside Symphony Orchestra
Whitehall Theatre
Pub and Bar
Bush BarCask
Glen Livit
Inveraldie Inn
Ladywell Tavern
Main Spot
Riverside Inn
Sinatras
Strath Bar
Thomson Bar
Wallace Arms
Whip Inn
Restaurant
Antonio's
Balaka
Bar Rio
Benazir
Cafe Boun Giono
Deep Sea Restaurant
Dil Se
Don Michelle Restaurant
Italian (The)
Kennedy's New York Deli
Laings Bar & Grill
Mercury Maia Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Metro Brasserie Dundee
Number 25
Number 25
Papa Joes
Rama
Rancho Pancho
Riverside Inn
Shehzad Restaurant
Sinatras
Spice In The City
School
Activate Scotland
High School of Dundee
Stagecoach Theatre Arts
Star Ballroom
The University of Abertay
Solicitor
Anika Jethwa & Co
Blackadders Solicitors
Ogilvie Cowan & Co
Shields & Kydd
Thorntons
W G Boyle & Co
Taxi
505050
City Cabs (Dundee) Ltd
Computer Cabs Co
Dundee Mini Bus Hire
Dundee Taxi Co Ltd
Handy Taxis
Mitchells Taxis Dundee Ltd
Premier Taxis
Theatre
Dundee Repertory Theatre
Whitehall Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Broughty Ferry LTC (Tennis)
Craigmuir TC (Tennis)
Dundee HSFP CC (Cricket)
Dundee Ippon Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Dundee Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Dundee United Football Club (Football)
Dundee University Boat Club (Rowing)
Westend Boys ABC (Boxing)
Shops
Debenhams
Owen Wesley
Bargain Books
Can-Am II
Hoppys Hockey Locker
Scotia Floral Supplies Ltd
Studio
Boots
G & B Grossett Ltd
Early Learning Centre
La Senza
Dobbies Garden Centre
Lochee Pet Store
Unique Holistic & Beauty Therapies
Morgan Tower Pharmacy
Lindsay & Johnson
Cooper & Mckenzie
Keith Scott
Evans
The Tranquility Zone
Staples
Carphone Warehouse
BodyShop
Reid Furniture
PC World
Wickes
3 Counties Hydroponics
Baird JS & Sons
Skea Organics
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Peacocks
Gamestation
Millets
Goldsmiths
Dreams
Rowlands Pharmacy
Specsavers
Julian Graves
Disney Store
T K Maxx
Hallmark Cards
J J B Sports
Lush
Pets At Home
The Retreat
Freedom Beauty
Victoria Carpets (Dundee) Ltd
Acanthus
Fire Surround Centre
Hair by Lesley Geddes
David Winter & Son Ltd
OTC Ltd
Aitken's Wine Cellar
River Island
Topman
Topshop
BHS
Office
Antiques
Jamieson Alastair
Angus Antiques
Angus Violin Studio
Activities
Auchterhouse Country Sports(Adventure)
Avertical World(Climbing)
Charles Star CC(Cycling)
Dundee Thistle(Cycling)
Factory Skatepark(Cycling)
Ancrum Outdoor Eduction Centre(Snow Sports)
Places to Stay near Dundee
Dundee Hilton (0.29 miles)
Set up on the banks of the River Tay, this centrally located modern hotel boasts a fully equipped Living Well Health Club, 129 bedrooms and an informal restaurant offering a superb ... More
Westport Serviced Apartments (0.31 miles)
The ... More | visit website
Queens Hotel (0.40 miles)
The Queens Hotel is situated in the up and coming west end of Dundee. For leisure we are hard to beat with 25 golf courses located nearby, for business we offer 1st ... More
Premier Inn Dundee Centre (0.48 miles)
Located within easy reach of the A9(M), conveniently situated across from Dundee train station. This Premier Inn boasts a great waterfront location next to Discovery Point. For shops and local amenities Dundee city centre is ... More | visit websiteCraigtay Hotel (0.92 miles)
The Craigtay Hotel is superbly situated close to Dundee city centre, and also close to Dundee Airport. The hotel is surrounded by numerous world famous Scottish links and championship golf courses including St Andrews. Renowned by ... More | visit website
Your Hotel (1.14 miles)
Conveniently positioned off the A90 Kingsway, this hotel offers value for money accommodation with easy access to the city centre and local attractions. The recently refurbished Your Hotel offers comfortable ... More
Alcorn Guest House (1.20 miles)
Shaftesbury Lodge (1.20 miles)
The Shaftesbury is situated in the quiet west-end of Dundee. It is ideally located, close to the vibrant city centre, Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee airport, Dundee Botanic Garden,BMI Fernbrae Hospital and the Riverside Technology ... More | visit website
The New Dundee Carlton Hotel (1.44 miles)
This new 3-star hotel has en suite rooms, some of which have picturesque views of the River Tay and Broughty Ferry Castle. The New Dundee Carlton Hotel is home to Mercury Maia ... More
Errolbank Guest House (1.47 miles)
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