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Dundee is located on Scotland’s east coast, where the River Tay meets the North Sea. A vibrant university town with lots to offer, Dundee was named as the UK's first-ever UNESCO City of Design in 2014 and is a hotspot of creativity and innovation. It’s popular with students and is known for being a particularly affordable place to live which means you’ll be able to enjoy the many attractions which the city has to offer. Here are ten of our favourite student things to do.
1) Golf
Good for: Casual outdoor exercise.
What it is: It’s golf. You already know what golf is.
Why you should go: Golf was invented in 16th Century Scotland, and has grown to become one of the most popular sports in the world. Amazingly, there are over 50 golf courses within an hour’s drive from Dundee, and some of them are centuries old. Golfing in Scotland remains highly accessible, and you can find many places to try a taster lesson, or just rent clubs and take a swing at it.
2) V&A Dundee
Good for: Getting inspired.
What it is: New design museum with contemporary exhibitions
Why you should go: Designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma, the V&A Dundee celebrates the excellence of Scottish design and creativity, alongside a brilliantly curated programme of international art and exhibitions. Great for a day out any time of year, this new museum is one of Dundee’s top attractions. Check out their 2023 exhibition schedule, which features a radical new look at one of the world’s best-known textiles, Tartan.
3) Dundee Botanic Garden
Good for: A relaxing walk around with friends or by yourself.
What it is: 9.5 hectares of plants, trees and shrubs on the banks of the River Tay.
Why you should go: The University of Dundee Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to while away an afternoon walking around, reading a book, and soaking in the scenery. Built on the south facing bank of the River Tay, the gardens house a superb collection of indigenous British plants and trees, as well as important species from around the world. There are both tropical and temperate glasshouses, a water garden, and herb garden, making it a serene experience whatever the season.
4) The Milton Inn
Good for: Traditional pub grub.
What it is: A beloved local eatery serving locally sourced produce.
Why you should go: The Milton Inn serves a fantastic menu of Scottish and British dishes with high quality ingredients, and at student-friendly prices. Angus beef is some of the finest in the world, and you can find it here in abundance, in many of their hearty pub classic dishes, and seasonal menus. Don’t forget to sample their selection of ales, beers and over 40 carefully selected whiskies.
5) DUSA The Union
Good for: A proper knees up.
What it is: The late-night party department of Dundee University.
Why you should go: At this point, the Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) has hosting awesome student club nights absolutely nailed. They throw party after party, and it’s always a good time, establishing itself as one of the best nightlife spots around, and recently being voted Scotland’s best student union. If you want to get yourself in the mix, then check out their schedule of events and prepare for a great night out.
6) Discovery Point
Good for: Voyaging back into time.
What it is: A museum dedicated to the world famous Antarctic research vessel RRS Discovery.
Why you should go: Discovery Point is an award-winning visitor attraction located on Dundee’s historic waterfront. It tells the story of Captain Scott and his research vessel RRS Discovery, with which he and his crew embarked upon their epic Antarctic adventure. You can visit the shipyard where Discovery was built and even climb aboard the ship itself.
7) Duke’s Corner
Good for: Beers. Eats. Tunes.
What it is: Popular pub with great food and music
Why you should go: Duke’s Corner is a no-nonsense drinking den, which is always busy at the weekend and always delivers a good night. Their extensive drinks menu puts most bars to shame, and they have a particular fondness for craft beers and hearty pub food. Their beer garden is one of the best in Dundee, and it’s a certified hotspot during the warmer summer months.
8) Balnuith Alpacas
Good for: A guaranteed dopamine fix.
What it is: A field full of fluffy alpacas.
Why you should go: Well, isn’t it obvious? Because you get to take an alpaca for a walk! This rare breed farm delivers a joyous day out where, besides choosing an alpaca buddy to go for a countryside stroll with, you’ll also see llamas, miniature Mediterranean donkeys, poitou donkeys, guanacos, Swiss valais sheep, pygmy goats and more.
9) The McManus Gallery
Good for: Finding out more about Dundee.
What it is: A magnificent Gothic museum of local art and history.
Why you should go: The McManus is a fantastic Victorian building which is home to Dundee's main art collection. It features eight large gallery spaces and takes you through the full history of the area, from the very first human settlers, through medieval times, the industrial revolution and all the way through to the present day. Admission is free, and the gallery has a rotating programme of exhibitions and events through the year.
10) Fisher & Donaldson
Good for: Dundee Cake
What it is: A fifth-generation family bakers, serving local baked goods
Why you should go: What is Dundee cake anyway? Dundee cake is a rich fruitcake which is topped with almonds, and no visit to the city is complete without sampling some. There’s no better place to try it than at Fisher & Donaldson, who have been making this local classic for decades and really know their stuff.
Key info about Dundee
Historically, Dundee is known for ‘jute, jam, and journalism’. Jute is a long plant fibre used to make rope, a key resource in the days of sail-powered shipping. Later, the city became a major producer of fruit jams and is the place where marmalade was invented, a much beloved product which is now widespread. Dundee’s long tradition of journalism continues today. If you read the Beano or the Dandy growing up then you’ll be familiar with some of the city’s most recognisable work already!
These days Dundee is a hotbed for digital innovation, particularly for video game development, with games like Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings emerging from the city in the 1990s. The city’s two universities, the University of Dundee and Abertay University, continue to drive this innovation and fuel the design culture for which Dundee is famous.
