About Dundee

Dundee

Industrial heritage and forward thinking on Tayside.

Now emerging as a city of innovation, design and culture, Dundee is an ever-evolving place characterised by bold works of architecture and engineering - both historical and contemporary. A short jaunt down the A90 from our development at Glenview is this inspiring coastal city on the Firth of Tay. Dundee’s reputation is growing across the world as a beacon of urban renewal, and reinvention - and if you live in Forfar, it’s right on your doorstep. Built in the shadow of an extinct volcano, the city itself began as a small port in the 11th and 12th centuries.

There’s plenty of history to delve into for enthusiasts, young and old - and Dundee is home to award-winning museums and galleries.

Now home to almost 150,000 people, Dundee continues to commemorate this history and rich heritage while also looking ahead to its own bright future. Recognised by UNESCO as a City of Design in 2014, and home to Scotland’s first ever design museum - the V&A Dundee - since 2018, it’s clear to see that modern day Dundee places art, innovation and culture at the forefront. Taking a stroll through the city centre, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in a bustling, largely pedestrianised shopping district.

Regular pop-up markets around the city also offer a huge array of handcrafted, local produce and products - the perfect place to find that special thing you were looking for.

Just a few steps away from the main shopping area, down by the river, you’ll encounter three of the most distinctive sights Dundee has to offer - the strikingly designed V&A building, the grand tall ship RRS Discovery and the sight of the spectacular Tay rail and road bridges in the distance. Not far from there, you’ll find Dundee Contemporary Arts, essential for lovers of theatre, cinema and art; Dundee Science Museum, featuring 60 hands-on exhibits for scientists of all ages; and the much-loved Groucho’s record store, which has been in business since the 1970s.

Foodies will find plenty to get their teeth into too. Dundee boasts an ever-expanding range of restaurants, cafés, bistros, bars and eateries - everything from fine dining to fast food. Three Dundee restaurants are featured in the AA’s The Restaurant Guide 2020 - Chez Mal Brasserie, The Tayberry and Daisy Tasker.

Dundee - Did you know?

TOP TEN IN EUROPE

World-renowned and well-respected travel guide Lonely Planet included Dundee in their 2018 Best in Europe top ten list - alongside the likes of Provence in France, Italian foodie paradise Emilia-Romagna and the Lithiuanian capital, Vilnius. They identify Dundee as “a city with an eye on the future” - and it’s easy to see why.

A DESIGN FOR LIFE

Dundee was awarded UNESCO City of Design status in 2014 - the first in the UK and the 13th city in the world to be awarded this prestigious title. This was in recognition of its outstanding contribution to diverse fields - including medical research, comics and video games - and has been further boosted by the opening of the V&A Dundee in 2018.

JUTE, JAM AND JOURNALISM

Post-industrial Dundee now goes by the ‘City of Discovery’, but at the height of Victorian industry it was best known for its production of textiles, jams and print publishing - as championed by jute mills, Keiller’s marmalade and DC Thomson publishers, respectively. The Verdant Works is a popular ‘living museum’ in a restored jute mill that brings the story of Dundee textiles to life, while DC Thomson continues to be a major printer/publisher, famous for the Beano and Dandy comics.

SAY “AYE” TO A PIE

One of Dundee’s best-loved eateries is Clark’s Bakery on Annfield Road - which is famously open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Freshly made pies, pastries, rolls, buns, breads and more - at any time. In addition to the 24/7 branch, they now have several regular stores open and plans for more - a local business going from strength to strength.