Dundee may be best known for its jute, jam and journalism, but this compact city actually grew around its harbour from the 13th century onwards. The RRS Discovery was built here in 1900 before setting sail for the Antarctic, and is now docked at Discovery Point. During the 19th century, Dundee’s mills produced vast quantities of sailcloth and jute, with the textile industry employing over 30% of Dundee’s 90,000 residents. More recently, DC Thomson became a major employer, and celebrated publications such as The Beano and The Scots Magazine are internationally popular – especially with the Scottish diaspora. Today the major industries are gone, but Dundee is still a vibrant city.
[1] From Discovery Point, cross the A991 to the railway station, and take the temporary path on the right of the station to reach a dual carriageway. Cross the dual carriageway, and turn right into Whitehall Crescent, and then left into Crichton Street, then climb to the Overgate Shopping Centre, swinging right onto High Street beside the Caird Hall.
The Hall was named after Sir James Caird, who amassed his fortune through the jute trade.
Bear left and walk along Reform Street.
(A) You will pass a statue of Desperate Dan, the famous character from The Dandy, which was published in Dundee.
to the stunning McManus Art Gallery.
[2] Turn left onto Meadowside, passing the Howff Cemetery (NO402303),
(B) This is where Greyfriars’ Monastery used to stand. After the monastery burnt down in the 16th century, Mary, Queen of Scots gifted the land to the City of Dundee.
Turn right onto Constitution Road, walk by the University of Abertay, then through an underpass beneath the A991. Go right up steps back onto Constitution Road, which then climbs steeply onto Upper Constitution Street, culminating at Kinghorne Road (NO396312).
[3] Turn right, then left onto Law Road. Go first left (still Law Road) and walk past an allotment. Go past another path on the right which is partially fenced off and the steps badly damaged until you reach a small parking area,and take the path on your right. Follow this path and climb steeply up steps onto Dundee Law (NO392312).
[4] Walk around the front of the war memorial, then turn left and descend some steep steps to cross a single-track road. Continue onto a path that descends by West Law Allotments onto Law Steps – a lane that drops over five side streets to reach Lochee Road. Turn left, then immediately right onto Tullideph Road. Turn left at City Road, then right along Pentland Avenue to Scott Street, where a right turn leads into Balgay Park.
(C) Opened in 1871 by the Earl of Dalhousie, the park was intended primarily for local mill workers to help improve their health.
[5] After a few metres, turn right and follow a path (signposted Mills Observatory) as it climbs steadily through woodland. At the first fork keep to the left to continue up the steps to join a tarmacadam roadway.Turn left and continue uphill following the signs to reach the Mills Observatory (NO377307).
(D) The observatory was opened in 1935 having been funded by the estate of local linen manufacturer John Mills.
[6] Retrace your steps for approx 50 meters and turn right on to a path. At a fork bear left and follow this path to enjoy views over the estuary and Tay Bridge, continue and turn right down the steps to retrace your route back to Scott Street and bear right onto Balgay Road passing Victoria Park on the right.. At Blackness Road, turn left and walk down by a line of tenements, with great views on the left to Dundee Law. When Blackness Road swings right onto Bellfield Street (NO392302), fork left and continue to Hawkhill. Turn left then left again onto Horsewater Wynd, then right onto Guthrie Street (to the left is the Scottish Jute Museum). Follow Guthrie Street, then cross West Marketgait onto Ward Road and then Meadowside. Turn right onto Reform Street and retrace your steps back to Discovery Point.