Holiday Ideas - Dundee

yesscotland - says:

Originally famous for the three J’s (ie Jute, Jam & Journalism), Dundee is a fairly small city compared to the likes of Edinburgh or Glasgow. However, just because it’s small it doesn’t mean Dundee doesn’t have a lot to offer the potential visitor.

Verdant Works is a fully restored 19th century jute mill in the centre of the city. The history of Dundee’s jute can be seen here.

When trying to find a use for bitter Seville oranges in the 1700’s a Dundee woman discovered Marmalade, her son opened Keillor’s factory and produced the breakfast essential.

The publishers of The Beano, The Dandy, The Sunday Post and People’s Friend, DC Thomson opened in 1905 and still employs about 2,000 people.

The Tay Rail and road bridges are a prominent feature of Dundee. The rail bridge was opened in 1878 and at the time was the longest bridge in the world. However later the same year the bridge collapsed during a storm with a train crossing, 75 people were killed. You can still see parts of the old bridge next to the new bridge (which was built in 1887). The road bridge was opened much later, in fact by the Queen Mother in 1966, currently a car crossing the bridge costs 80p.

Dundee used to be a major port for the whaling industry, and using the cities expertise the National Antarctic Expedition Committee commission the Dundee Shipbuilding Company to build the Royal Research Ship, Discovery. Captain Scott launched the ship in 1901 and made his first voyage to the Antarctic. The ship still sits in the city at Discovery Point, where you can see a story of the ship and Captain Scott. A must if you’re in the city.

Today the city is very highly geared towards students. There are 2 universities in Dundee. The University of Dundee still holds strong links with St Andrews University, and some courses are catered in each others campuses. Of course with any high student concentrated area you will find pubs and clubs. Mostly on campus but there are a few to check out around the city. Most places will offer good food.

Break up your day by going for some recreational activities. High on the list of course is shopping! Dundee has a good shopping area in the main city. Start out at the Overgate shopping centre, where you will find many high street stores, and within a very short walk from the Overgate you will find the Wellgate and Murraygate shopping areas. If shopping isn’t your thing, you could always take a short trip up the well known ‘Kingsway’ and stop off at Camperdown Park. Here you can go on walks, play pitch and putt, or maybe a quick 18 holes (while others in your party continue to shop!). Also in the area is Dundee’s well known Ice Arena, a good place to go skating, try Ice Hockey or even a good Scottish sport i.e. Curling!

At the end of the day when you want somewhere to rest your head in the hay, there are a few hotels on offer in Dundee. Hilton’s Hotel in Dundee and the fairly recently opened Apex City Quay Hotel are defiantly amongst some of the best.

Dundee is a very good staging ground if you want to explore - St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife is just over the bridge, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are all within driving distance of the city. Although not liked by all, I would defiantly recommend a trip to the City of Discovery – Dundee!!