Taking a trip to Dundee
‘One city, many discoveries’ is an apt description for the Scottish city of Dundee. From its history to its famous exports, this city has some tall tales to tell. Old enough to Remember The Beano and The Dandy, for example? The comics were created here, which is why you’ll find larger-than-life statues of Dennis the Menace and co in City Square. Own one of those ubiquitous jute shopping bags? This was once the capital of jute production, no less. Ever taken an Aspirin? That’s right – you guessed it. Dundee lays claim to that bathroom cabinet staple, too. Factor in the pioneering vessel, RSS Discovery, and the name really starts to make sense. Book a coach trip to Dundee, then, and you can discover the city for yourself.
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Dundee: top 3 things to do
1. Step aboard the RRS Discovery
Captain Robert Falcon Scott set sail on the Royal Research Ship Discovery back in 1901, returning home from an epic Antarctic voyage three years later. Now docked at Discovery Point on Dundee’s waterfront, the ship makes a fascinating place to visit any time of the year and for all ages. Also, you can explore the latest addition to the museum - Discovery Dome. You'll be transported to 1901 by an immersive 360-view audiovisual experience over Dundee city and River Tay. Sounds good to us.
2. Go back in time at Verdant Works
There’s a real sense of atmosphere at Verdant Works, which is so much more than a museum. A refurbished former mill, it tells the story of Dundee’s textile heritage, and specifically the production of jute. You’ll never look at your eco-friendly Bag for Life in the same way again. It's a real hidden gem of Dundee city.
3. See the city from a different perspective
Looking for something a bit different? Saltdog Marine offer modern and comfortable boat trips on the River Tay from April to November. if you're lucky, you could spot a dolphin on the way!
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Explore local attractions
Spend a day at Dundee Contemporary Arts. This five-storey building packs in art exhibitions, creative workshops and a working print studio, and entrance is free. Plus, DCA turns into an all-round entertainment venue in the evenings thanks to a first-rate bar and world cinema. It’s open every day from 10am in the city centre.
For panoramic city views, climb to the top of the Dundee Law. The city’s most famous landmark is actually the summit of an extinct volcano, which is now home to an observation tower. It’s well worth the hill-climb to get there – the view from the top is amazing.
Dundee’s art gallery and museum is the place to learn all about the history of this Scottish city. It’s free to get in, open every day of the week, and there are eight galleries to explore. Start with Landscapes and Lives, which takes you 400 million years back, then work your way up to the 20th Century Gallery.
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mega-fun activities
Take a coach to Dundee and you’ll soon see High street shops are in no short supply here. Start at the High Street – the clue is in the name – and pay a visit to Overgate Shopping Centre if you’re here for household names. H&M, Primark and Superdry are just some of the places to flex your spending muscles.
A little further out, Perth Road runs alongside the University of Dundee and is peppered with smaller shops full of one-off finds. The same goes for the circle of roads created by Exchange Street, Dock Street and Lower Commercial Street, which is also known as Downtown Dundee.
During the run up to Christmas, it's worth visiting Dundee to get into the festive spirit. There are typically markets, ice skating, rides, and more.
Travel in style
Taking the coach to Dundee couldn’t be easier with megabus. With many great value fares on offer, travelling to Dundee by coach is the perfect way to make sure your journey is quick and comfortable.
Once you’re there, you can explore Dundee under your own steam. Most of the big attractions are easy to reach on foot, and walking is the best way to get to know the city. You’ll find cobbled lanes and hidden streets ripe for exploring. Start at City Square and you can’t go far wrong – ask someone to point you in the direction of the Desperate Dan statue if you lose your bearings.
Let's get going
From Aberdeen, can get you here in less than 2 hours. If you're travelling from a central city like Glasgow, you can expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
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Image credits:
Kenny Lam / Visit Scotland
Saltdog Marine