This Scottish city's waterfront has transformed from industrial jute mills into a cultural center. Home to the RRS Discovery ship and birthplace of DC Comics' Batman.
Dundee sits on the north bank of the Firth of Tay. In the city center, you'll find the angular V&A Museum displaying Scottish design, walk through Victorian-era Albert Square, and explore the RRS Discovery ship that sailed to Antarctica. The 20,000 university students fill the cafes and music venues around the University of Dundee and Abertay University campuses.
The Waterfront District
The V&A Dundee, the first V&A museum outside London, anchors the waterfront district with its geometric design rising 30 meters above the River Tay. At Discovery Point next door, you can board the RRS Discovery to see the ship's quarters and learn about Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic expeditions through interactive exhibits and original artifacts.
Universities and Research
The University of Dundee and Abertay University bring 20,000 students to the city. Abertay created the world's first computer games degree program and maintains its position in gaming education, while University of Dundee researchers work on breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology. Students have shaped the city center's character, supporting independent cafes, music venues, and art spaces.
Comics and Gaming Scene
DC Thomson has published The Beano and The Dandy comics from their Meadowside building since 1905. The company prints over 200 million magazines and newspapers each year. The gaming industry has grown alongside this tradition, with several development studios in the city. You can attend gaming events and exhibitions throughout the year at Abertay University and the Dundee Science Centre.
Museums and Art
The McManus Galleries fills a Gothic Revival building in Albert Square. Eight galleries contain fine art collections, including works by James McIntosh Patrick and Alberto Morrocco. The natural history section displays animal and plant specimens from eastern Scotland, while the local history galleries tell Dundee's industrial story through photographs, machinery, and everyday objects.
Getting Around
You can fly to London Heathrow daily from Dundee Airport, with additional flights to Kirkwall and Sumburgh. Buses leave from Seagate station to most parts of eastern Scotland. Local buses run every 10-15 minutes between the city center and nearby areas. From the central train station, you can reach Edinburgh in 1.5 hours, Glasgow in 2 hours, and Aberdeen in 1.25 hours.
