A view of Dundee from Dundee Law
The fourth largest of the Scottish cities, Dundee is a thriving and picturesque location set on the Firth of Tay. The City Council area has a population of 148,170 and sustains many businesses; the city currently enjoys a reputation for its role in the UK digital entertainment, biomedical and technological industries. A popular destination for tourists, Dundee has been branded ‘one city for many discoveries’ and is home to numerous historical sites, as well as being the focus for new projects and regeneration.
Historic Dundee
The Dundee area has been inhabited for many thousands of years, with relics from occupation by the Picts having been discovered in several locations. In the eras following Viking and Roman invasions, history continued to be made as ongoing conflict saw the city change hands between the Scots and the English more than once during the wars of Scottish Independence. The nearby town of Arbroath is famed for having been the location where the famous Declaration of Arbroath was signed – proclaiming Scotland to be an independent sovereign state in 1320.
Dundee itself began to grow from the twelfth century onwards, becoming well known as a trading centre. Over the years it became known for its wool exports, for whaling and for linen production. The discovery that whale oil could be used to enable the mechanical processing of jute saw a boom in Dundee’s already successful textile export industry in the 1830s. Jute soon became the city’s main industry, employing vast numbers of people, over 70% of whom were women – a highly unusual statistic for the time. What with the discovery of marmalade in Dundee in 1797 and the introduction of the now famous publishers D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. in 1905, it is little wonder that the city is said to have been built on ‘The Three Js’ – jam, jute and journalism.
Today, visitors to Dundee can admire a number of historic sites – although the jute and whaling industries are gone, there are numerous historic sites to see and visit, including the 1887 Tay Rail Bridge and explorer Captain Scott’s ship RRS Discovery, which is docked at Discovery Point.
Popular Culture
Film & TV
An Englishman Abroad (1983)
In this intriguing BBC series, which combined fact and function whilst exploring the meeting between actress Coral Brown and spy Guy Burgess, Dundee in wintertime had to double as Moscow. The city’s Whitehall theatre and Caird Hall auditorium were also used during filming to represent Moscow Theatre.
Books
Fittingly for the home of the Dundee International Book Prize, which celebrates debut novels, many of the books set in and around Dundee are of recent origin.
The Good Son – Russel D. McLean
Following a murder mystery investigated by Dundonian sleuth J. McNee.
Speakin O Dundee: Tales Lang Tellt Aroun the Toun – Stuart McHardy
Written in Dundee dialect, this book is a collection of local legends and stories. Ghosts, heroes, dragons – and William Wallace – all abound, so these tales capture the essence and charm of the city.
Social Media
Information about visiting Dundee and the surrounding area can be found on the official Visit Scotland website.
Famous Faces
A number of famous faces have originated from, or are connected to, Dundee. Just some are listed below.
Brian Cox – The Shakespearean actor who became a Hollywood star, appearing in films including
Braveheart, Troy and The Bourne Supremacy.
Heather Ripley – The singer and actress best known for appearing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was born in Dundee.
Alexander Crawford Lamb (1843 – 1897) – A local historian, art collector and writer, Lamb was best known for his 1895 book titled ‘Dundee: its Quaint and Historic Buildings’.
Brian Molko – The lead singer of rock band Placebo, Belgian born Molko was brought up in Dundee.
Landmarks
Tay Rail Bridge
Built following the disaster which destroyed its predecessor in 1879, the 1887 Tay Rail Bridge measures 2.75 miles. Connecting Dundee with Wormit, the ridge was refurbished in 2003 and is a major landmark, both geographically and in terms of engineering achievement. A must see for visitors to the city.
The Verdant Works
Scotland’s Jute Museum allows visitors of all ages to explore Dundee’s most famous historical industry. The museum is home to traditional machinery, artwork and to a number of interactive displays. Complete with a gift shop and café, the attraction is open during both summer and winter months, although specific opening times are best found through the Dundee Heritage Trust’s official website.
Dundee Law
Commanding impressive views of Dundee and the surrounding area, Dundee Law is a natural landmark. A peak 572 feet high, the Law is actually an extinct volcano though to date back 400 million years. Of fundamental importance to Dundee in eras gone by, the Law was once home to a strategically placed iron-age hill fort and burial ground. Today, the summit of the Law is home to a modern observation point which allows both tourists and locals to enjoy the view of miles of stunning scenery.
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