The UK city with volcanic views, lava trails – and great fashion
EXPECT volcanic views, great fashion and Scottish salami in Dundee.
Writer Janice Hopper explores this vibrant city.
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V&A Dundee is celebrating its fifth birthday with a very cool tartan exhibition, and until mid-January, you can see stunning outfits by Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, £12.73 per adult (Vam.ac.uk/dundee).
Next, step aboard RRS Discovery – AKA the ship that set sail to the Antarctic in 1901 – to see how Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott survived their perilous journey.
Adult tickets cost £17 (Rrsdiscovery.co.uk).
Later, take a 30-minute cycle along the waterfront to Broughty Ferry for indie fashion shops like Scandi-inspired Lulu & M, colourful Bella Mella and chic Prego Boutique.
READ MORE FABULOUS TRAVEL
Bike hire costs £5 per half-day (Cyclehub.org/dundee-cycle-hub).
CELEBRATE GIRL POWER
The fascinating Verdant Works museum – home to the city’s huge 19th-century jute production – tells of how Dundee got its “She Town” nickname. Entry costs £14 per adult (Verdantworks.co.uk).
Later, dine at Daisy Tasker, a bistro dedicated to a local mill girl who also loved organising work socials.
Opt for duck liver parfait with Dundee marmalade, £5.95, and hake with red lentil dal curry, £16.50.
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Wash it down with a marmalade cosmo, £9 (Daisytasker.co.uk).
Continue the party with candyfloss-topped cocktails, £8.50, at quirky bar The Tipsy Goat (Thetipsygoat.co.uk).
SHOP SCOTTISH
Pick up cracking Scottish cheese at The Cheesery, such as buttery Wee Comrie and tastier-than-it-sounds Minger (Thecheesery.co.uk).
Then, nab unique gifts like T-Rex earrings crafted by local makers at Maisy & Mac (Maisieandmac.com).
Tea aficionados shouldn’t miss J A Braithwaite, where tins of tea and coffee line the walls (Facebook.com/J.A.Braithwaite).
TUCK IN BY THE TAY
Grab lunch with views of the Tay Bridge at Bridgeview Station, an eatery set within a converted railway station, and order the ploughman’s platter for treats like Great Glen salami and Blue Murder cheese, £9.50 (Bridgeviewstation.com).
Come evening, tuck into Afro-Caribbean-inspired dishes at Gidi Grill – its sticky, smoked pork ribs, £23.95, are excellent (Gidigrill.com).
Oh, and don’t forget Dundee cake!
Find the best of the city’s signature fruity bake topped with almond pieces at Fisher & Donaldson (Fisheranddonaldson.com).
HIT A LAVA TRAIL
Get your caffeine fix at Daily Grind Coffee Co, where murals adorn the walls, before hiking up to the city’s highest point, volcanic sill Dundee Law (Dundeelaw.info).
The trail, starting at City Square, takes 40 minutes and the panoramic views are well worth the effort.
Visiting between April and October?
Make a splash at Wild Shore, Dundee’s water obstacle course, for your own Total Wipeout moment, £17 per person.
Or opt for a more chilled standup paddleboarding session, from £10 an hour (Wildshoredundee.co.uk).
KIP WATERSIDE
Kick back in the pool, steam room and sauna at Apex City Quay Hotel on the water’s edge.
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Rooms are chic and, if you include tickets to V&A Tartan, cost from £120.
You’ll also be treated to a speciality cocktail, an exclusive V&A gift and a breakfast of homemade waffles, wild mushrooms on brioche or a full Scottish. #Winning (Apexhotels.co.uk).
BTW
Dundee is home to Scotland’s video game industry.
Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings both have their roots in the city.
Plan your trip at Visitdundee.com.