Dundee: Attractions and information

Dundee, in the east of Scotland, is considered one of the sunniest places in the country. You can find out about the city’s attractions, restaurants and boutiques here.

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Dundee is buzzing with excitement. The new Design Museum is giving the city’s former docks a new lease of life, art students are transforming Dundee into a hub of creativity, and the restaurants are outdoing one another with their intriguing menus. So it’s high time to plan a visit – after all, even the Lonely Planet travel guide has ranked Dundee sixth in its ‘Best in Europe 2018’ list.

Dundee, in the east of Scotland, also lies at the junction between the regions of Fife and Angus. It therefore serves as an ideal base for excursions into these regions or can be included in a tour along their coastlines.

You should allow a whole day, or better still two or even three, to explore Dundee and its immediate surroundings. This article shows you everything there is to experience there.

About Dundee: What awaits visitors to the city

In 2011, the city had a population of around 150,000 – one in seven of whom was a student, which is why Dundee’s average age is significantly lower than Scotland’s. Dundee is a young city with a vibrant scene and a creative fashion sense.

In the past, Dundee was known as the city of the three ‘Js’: Jute, Jam, Journalism. The jute mills, which mainly produced sacks, were the economic driving force in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jam was first commercially produced in Dundee around 1760 by the Keiller family (though it was not invented there, as is sometimes claimed). And journalism is still held in high regard in Dundee today. The publishing house DC Thomson employs some 2,000 people.

Comics found their place in the symbiosis of newspapers and art. “Dennis and Gnasher” are famous characters who rose to fame with “The Sunday Post”, as did their counterparts, the Bash Street Kids. That is why you keep coming across comic characters in the city. “Oor Wullie” is certainly one of Scotland’s most famous characters; his statue stands in front of the McManus Galleries.

Dundee produced something else too: whaling ships. Where the RRS Discovery is moored today, the city’s harbour once stood – today its docks have been filled in, and a park, amongst other things, stands on the site. Incidentally, whaling was what made the jute industry possible in the first place, as whale oil was what softened the fibres for processing.

For years now, the city has been a hub for students wishing to study game design and production. Games such as Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto were invented in Dundee. Design is the city’s defining theme anyway, and not least the V&A Dundee museum sends a clear signal as to where it should be heading: into the future, but with style and design.

The museum is merely an interim stage in the redevelopment. Several billion pounds are still to be invested, and the banks of the Tay are set to be further enhanced. Dundee’s transformation is therefore far from complete. Almost every year there is something new to discover here, such as the water features, which are impressively illuminated at night.

The Dundee Waterfront also features a small city beach and a metal sculpture of a whale, beneath which there is a children’s playground.

Climate in Dundee: Mostly sunny, but sometimes the rain comes

Dundee is one of the sunniest places in Scotland. As it lies on the east coast, but the damp air comes from the west across the Atlantic, most of the rainfall is left behind as it travels inland. Furthermore, the nearby Cairngorms provide additional protection from bad weather.

Just as an example: Dundee has 1,426 hours of sunshine a year and 722 millimetres of rainfall, whilst Glasgow has 1,203 hours of sunshine and 1,124 millimetres of rainfall.

The best months to visit Dundee are – as is usually the case with Scotland’s climate – the summer months. However, statistically speaking, April is a dry month and therefore something of an insider’s tip. May is the golden month. But September is still a warm month too.

A special phenomenon sometimes occurs in Dundee: the ‘Haar’. This is a cold coastal fog that creeps in from the sea towards the city. Haar forms when warm, moist air settles over the cooler sea. The water vapour then condenses and turns into fog. The wind carries the Haar to the coast.

The best sights in Dundee

Here is an overview of the most interesting sights in and around the city.

V&A Dundee: Scotland’s first design museum

The new star in Dundee’s sky is the V&A Dundee. V&A stands for ‘Victoria and Albert’; Dundee has teamed up here with the art museum of the same name in London. Scotland’s first design museum has thus been created in Dundee – and this is already evident in its new building. The form and materials are deliberately reminiscent of the cliffs of the nearby east coast. The architect is the Japanese Kengo Kuma.

The interior of the building is very spacious. There is a restaurant and a café area next to the shop. The permanent exhibition showcases key stages in the history of Scottish design. This area is free of charge. In addition, there are changing special exhibitions, for which admission is usually around £10.

RRS Discovery: The ship of the Antarctic expedition

The fact that the Design Museum begins with shipbuilding is fitting given its immediate neighbour. The RRS Discovery is moored alongside the V&A Dundee and was once built in the city’s docks. It is a masterpiece of naval engineering, having been built to withstand the Antarctic ice. Before visitors board the sailing ship, they pass through the Museum of Polar Exploration. The entertaining and beautifully designed exhibition traces the history of the ship’s construction and the explorers’ voyages. Admission around £12.

Find out more about the RRS Discovery and Discovery Point here.

The McManus: Art and History

If you’re not into art, you should at least take a look at the McManus from the outside. The Victorian building was constructed over 150 years ago in memory of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s late husband at the time. Admission is free, so you can also take a look at the wonderful vaulted gallery. And while you’re there: on the ground floor hangs the skeleton of a giant whale, and you can learn all sorts about Dundee’s history – such as the story behind the famous computer game “Lemmings”. The floors above are dedicated to old and new paintings and sculptures.

Verdant Works: A weaving mill that has survived

There used to be so many of them in Dundee. Today, Verdant Works Mill still demonstrates how flax and jute were processed almost 200 years ago. The multimedia exhibition tells the story of the rise and fall of jute production in Dundee. It shows the lives of the workers and the wealthy owners, as well as the impact on the city. Of course, there are also large machines on display. A genuine piece of Dundee.

Street Art Trail Open/Close: The painted doors of Dundee

Ugly backstreets? No problem, we’ll turn them into art. Sponsored by the city and organised by Russell Pepper, various street artists have turned a number of doors in Dundee’s backstreets into canvases.

And an entire alleyway has been set aside for graffiti.

The locations of the street art doors are marked on this map of the open/close Dundee project, each with information and images.

Desperate Dan and Caird Hall

The character “Desperate Dan” was the mascot of the comic book series “The Dandy”, also published by DC Thomson. As a statue, he strides proudly through Dundee’s pedestrian zone, past Caird Hall. Caird Hall dates from the 1920s and hosts large classical concerts. University graduation ceremonies are also held here.

Old Steeple: A church tower defies the elements

In the centre of the city stands a church building known as “City Churches”, which houses several parishes. At its end stands an old tower from the Middle Ages, known as “The Old Steeple”. It is over 500 years old and has witnessed the church beside it being destroyed several times by armies or during the Reformation. The interior was used as a fortress, but also as a prison. Today, the McManus occasionally holds exhibitions in these rooms.

The Howff: A cemetery in the heart of Dundee

Also situated in the heart of the city is “The Howff” cemetery. Its history dates back to the 16th century, and the gravestones here are among the most beautiful in Scotland. Incidentally, it is not only the dead who find peace here today; living residents of Dundee also enjoy sitting on one of the park benches to take a break from the noise of the city.

Taybridge: The disaster that made the Forth Bridge possible

Visitors arriving from the south reach Dundee via two bridges spanning the Firth of Tay: the road bridge or the Tay Rail Bridge. The railway bridge dates back to 1877, when the first locomotive crossed the Tay. At 3.5 kilometres in length, it held the record at the time for the longest railway bridge. Unfortunately, however, it became more famous for the disaster that occurred on 28 December 1879. The bridge collapsed under a train. All 75 people on board perished in the waters of the Tay. The bridge was quickly rebuilt, but the disaster had a significant impact on bridge construction. It was one of the reasons for the distinctive design of the Forth Bridge today.

HMS Unicorn: The last sailing warship

In the city’s Victoria Docks, behind Dundee Harbour, lies the sailing ship HMS Unicorn. Built in 1824, she was one of the kingdom’s last sailing warships. However, after completion, she was never put into active service. That is why the ship lacks all its rigging. Instead, she has been fitted with a peculiar roof. This roof protected the Unicorn from the weather and today makes her a museum of a special kind: gun decks, a captain’s cabin, crew quarters and much more can be seen here in their original state. However, the Unicorn will soon be entering dry dock to repair the damage to her hull.

A few metres further on, incidentally, lies another ‘highlight’ – the North Carr Lighthouse Ship. The last surviving lighthouse ship, which once warned of dangerous rocks. It is, however, in poor condition and awaiting refurbishment.

Dundee Law: Magnificent view over the city

Behind Dundee rises an ancient volcanic cone. This is Dundee Law. At 174 metres high, the hill offers a wonderful view over the city. There is also a memorial here to the city’s citizens who fell in the First World War.

From the city centre, Dundee Law can be climbed on foot in just over half an hour. Those who are not so steady on their feet can simply drive up by car.

Broughty Castle: Watchtower on the Tay

On a headland in Dundee’s suburb of Broughty Ferry stands a 15th-century castle. At the time, it controlled the entrance to the Firth of Tay and thus also the onward journey up the river into the heart of Scotland. Today, however, its purpose has changed. At the very top is a viewing platform. Below, an exhibition recounts the military history not only of Broughty Castle. Another floor showcases the diversity of nature at the mouth of the Tay. Art lovers will also find parts of the Orchar Collection, featuring over twenty Victorian paintings. One of the hidden treasures is on the ground floor: a 4,000-year-old clay cup that is still completely intact. And all this is free of charge. A donation towards the castle’s upkeep would, however, be appreciated.

SALTDOG MARINE: A trip on the Tay

Visitors can explore the Tay on an excursion boat from Saltdog Marine. The fast-paced trip on a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) takes you to the V&A Dundee to view it from the water’s edge, then heads out towards the sea, where, with a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins. Of particular interest is the disused lighthouse, which now stands as a ruin in the water. The trips depart opposite Broughty Castle.

Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA): Modern art and good food

Art is simply everywhere in this city. Dundee Contemporary Arts opened in 1999 and showcases contemporary works in two galleries and through changing exhibitions. There is also a cinema and a café/bar/restaurant with a beautiful outdoor area. Art lovers will find interesting prints and books in the museum shop.

Accommodation in Dundee

You’ll find a selection of accommodation options in Dundee on the map. The links and the map are affiliate links; if you book through them, I’ll receive a small commission. (Advertisement)

We stayed at the Malmaison Dundee and particularly loved the historic staircase there. The food is also good. You can book the Malmaison here (advertising link).

Eating, drinking and going out in Dundee: restaurants, breweries and distilleries

Like the city as a whole, Dundee’s food scene is in a state of renewal. A vibrant scene of interesting restaurants and bars has established itself, offering much more than the traditional dishes of haggis and black pudding. These restaurants are often linked to the local arts scene and exhibit artists’ works.

Take Avery & Co., for example, which serves vegan hummus as well as pulled pork in Korean sauce. Tip: Ask for the Mojito cocktail with Dundee Jam. It’s served in a jam jar.

Gallery 48, on the other hand, specialises in tapas. The walls are adorned with changing exhibitions by students from the College of Art and Design – visitors can even buy them on the spot.

Even closer to the art is the Jute Café and Bar, located on the ground floor of Dundee Contemporary Arts. It serves both hearty and light meals, complemented by a cocktail. Those who prefer something more down-to-earth and enjoy a good beer can treat themselves to a burger, a schnitzel or even a vegetarian option at Duke’s Corner. There’s also a huge selection of craft beers. At the weekend, Duke’s Corner is even open until 2.30 am.

The locations of the restaurants mentioned are marked here:



You can round off the night in style at Draffens, a speakeasy cocktail bar reminiscent of the Prohibition era in the 1920s. Complete with music and the bar staff’s outfits. And there’s one more thing it’s taken from the Prohibition era: you have to know where it is. It has no website, no door sign, nothing. To find it, turn off Nethergate into Couttie’s Wynd and open one of the doors on the left that looks like a back door. If you’re greeted by music from the 1920s, you’ve found the right one. Down the stairs and back in time.

These were, of course, just a few of the restaurants and bars in Dundee, which, incidentally, very often source their food and drink from the city and the region. Beer, for example, is supplied by 71Brewing, and spirits come from Dundee Gin.

And of course, we mustn’t forget to mention Dundee cake. Dundee cake is a fruit cake topped with almonds.

Shopping in Dundee: Design in the shops too

Students, the creative scene… it goes without saying that Dundee also has plenty to offer when it comes to shopping. Hayley Scanlan ’s boutique on the corner of Perth Road and Westfield Place has become well-known. Hayley has already won the Scottish fashion award “Young Scottish Designer of the Year” twice. Unlike many university graduates, she didn’t head out into the world after her studies, but decided to open her shop in Dundee.

A real feast for the eyes (pardon the pun) is the Spex Pistols shop, which is entirely dedicated to glasses. Tucked away in the small side street of Johnston’s Lane, the “Optical Boutique” stocks designer frames of all kinds, both second-hand and new.

If you need something a bit bigger, head to the Debenhams department store in the city centre. Otherwise, there are plenty of small boutiques to discover in Dundee, such as Dock Street Studios on Dock Street.

Accommodation in Dundee: Hotels and B&Bs

I’ve stayed here before

Malmaison Dundee

During renovation work, the hotel’s owners discovered a hidden staircase. Today, this staircase with its skylight is the centrepiece of the building. Positioned in the mid-range price bracket, the Malmaison is centrally located. There is also a restaurant and a bar here.
Click here for Malmaison Dundee (advertisement)

Getting around Dundee: Public transport

The city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere of the city.

Longer distances can easily be covered by taxi – the costs are actually quite low. Incidentally, Dundee is home to one of the first Tesla taxis in Scotland.

Of course, there are also bus routes that will take you to Victoria Docks or Broughty Ferry, for example. Up-to-date route information and prices can be found on the National Express website.

Disclosure: Travel, accommodation and meals for the trip to Dundee were provided by VisitScotland.