Dundee is where I am originally from and where my parents moved back to after my dad retired from the Army, my entire family live there – apart from me. So going back to visit is always lovely. Dundee has changed so much in the past 10 years, especially, with the opening of the V&A and the development of the waterfront. It is looking very modern & has become a very vibrant and fun city.
The opening of the V&A a couple of years ago has completely transformed the river front with so much investment in the outside spaces down there too. The gardens and promenade are lovely and are a great place to sit with a coffee to watch the world go by and take in the beautiful view across the river Tay to Tayport/Newport. I haven’t made time to visit the V&A yet, but my dad said it’s good, and it has a nice café inside ( I do love a good museum café and gift shop).
The building itself is quite imposing, and I wonder why it is so dark and large, especially as it blocks out a big section of the view. There is no denying that it is unusual and looks different from every angle. I will see if it grows on me as the trees and gardens around the building mature.
Another classic visitor attraction are both ships, the first one is the RSS Discovery which is docked right next to the V&A. It was the vessel Captain Scott took to Antarctica (Scott of the Antarctic) back in 1901. Well worth a visit, the ship, and the exhibition inside the main Discovery point are very good.
The other vessel you need to visit is HMS Unicorn (photographed below), first launched in 1824, it the oldest ship left in Scotland, as well as one of the six oldest ships in the world. It is just a short walk from the V&A along Riverside Drive, it is a pretty walk along the river, especially on a sunny day.
The Birchwood was such a lovely café in the centre of Dundee, serving a wide selection of Vegan options, including the best Vegan Breakfast Bap, but unfortunately it seems to have closed down, let’s hope it is just temporarily.
I can also recommend The Bach (great vegan options) The Little Things Café (fantastic coffee and cupcakes) and Serendipities (a non profit café who, train, work with and give opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health barriers). It is a lovely positive space and the food is AMAZING, I highly recommend going here for lunch. Their menu is 100% Vegan, which is incredible.
You can’t go to Dundee and not take a walk along the river all the way to the Tay Rail Bridge, it is such an impressive sight rising up from the water. This bridge has a tale to tell. The Tay Rail Bridge disaster took place on the stormy night of 28 December 1879. The central navigation spans of the Tay bridge collapsed into the Firth of Tay at Dundee, taking with them a train, 6 carriages and 75 souls to their fate. The bridge was rebuilt in 1887 and is still in use to this day.
My grandad used to always point out the old foundations that are still in the water alongside the new structure.
Who could forget one of Dundee’s most loved and famous characters – Desperate Dan, they were first written & illustrated back in 1937, and I just love the statue that stands in his honour in the City centre. There is Desperate Dan, his dog and Minnie The Minx, they are great fun.
Dundee is quite a fun place to spend a couple of days, with lots to explore. There are so many great cafe’s, bars and places to eat as well as museums, galleries, and lots of outside spaces to visit and enjoy. Let me know if you have ever been and what you enjoyed most.
There are so many historical buildings and amazing architecture in St Andrews, it is all so well maintained, I love nothing more than wandering up and down taking photos and learning all out their rich history.
Jannetta’s Gelateria – I always get either pistachio, lemon, hazelnut, or mint choc chip. All vegan flavours and delicious. Best gelato in Scotland.
