The reputation of Dundee as a superpower of jute, jam, and journalism is not legally binding. Scotland’s fourth-largest city, situated by the stunning Tay waters, is a dynamic hub of charm and imagination. It is also the first-ever City of Design in the UK. Explore the area off the usual road to find out what the hubbub is about.
1. The only V&A Museum outside of London is located there.
The V&A Museum of Design Dundee, a masterpiece of ultra-modern architecture, holds the distinction of being Scotland’s first design museum. The already beloved Dundee V&A paid homage to Dundee and Scotland’s position as a nation of creativity and design when it opened in 2018. It was created by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who describes it as a “living room for the city” and is the sole location of the venerable institution outside of London.
2. The Desperate Dan Statue
Dundee wears its renowned Desperate Dan monument like a total badass, a tribute to its hipster vibe and comic design roots! Whether you’re an Instagram star or a self-professed nerd, you can’t pass up such a fantastic photo opportunity.
3. The video game industry in Scotland is also led by Dundee.
The international success of Scottish video game developer Rockstar North, the designers and inventors of hit video game Lemmings and the cult series Grand Theft Auto add to Dundee’s already illustrious design profile. The company was established in Dundee as Acme Software in 1984 before it changed its name to DMA Design Limited and moved its headquarters to Edinburgh.
4. There are so many popular attractions here.
Dundee boasts a wide range of sights that are worth exploring, including Scotland’s only official jute museum, the RRS Discovery, The MacManus, the soon-to-be V&A, and the HM Frigate Unicorn (named after Scotland’s national animal, the unicorn). Take advantage of your imagination!
5. The Tay Bridge is a beautiful sight, thus
The Tay Road Bridge, one of the biggest road bridges in Europe, has 42 spans and river-emerging concrete piers. Between Dundee and Newport-on-Tay, this eye-catching structure flies over the River Tay estuary. Crossing the bridge always offers stunning vistas, no matter the weather.
6. Adventurers should visit Broughty Ferry.
This hidden gem of a suburb, located 4 miles from the city centre, is home to fantastic eateries and old fishermen’s homes. The adjacent Broughty Castle and Museum, Claypotts Castle, and Monikie Country Park all add to the attractiveness.
7. And who doesn’t enjoy marmalade with tea and toast?
Dundee and Marmalade have a long history together, a tie that is forever sealed. Locals experimented by incorporating little pieces of Seville orange rind into this particular jam preserve, giving it a distinctively Dundodian flavour.
As a result, a brand-new variety of Scottish marmalade was created, with Dundee emerging as its primary production hub. According to legend, it was only accidentally created when locals took advantage of a ship that had broken down in Dundee harbour and was carrying these unique oranges!
- Post for you 10 Awesome Things To Do and See in Dundee, Scotland
