Dundee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dundee Dùn Dè  (Scottish Gaelic)
City, lieutenancy and council area
Skyline of Dundee from Fife V&A Dundee RRS Discovery Tay Bridge McManus Galleries
Flag Coat of arms
Etymology: Dùn Dè ('Tay Fort')
Dundee shown within Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Founded	c. 11th century AD
Burgh charter	1191
City status	26 January 1889
Unitary authority	1 April 1996
Administrative HQ	Dundee City Chambers
Government
• Type	Council
• Body	Dundee City Council
Area
• Total	20 sq mi (60 km2)
Area rank	32nd
Population  (2022)
• Total	148,350
• Rank	13th
• Density	6,430/sq mi (2,481/km2)
Demonym(s)	Dundonian
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode areas	DD1–5
Dialling codes	01382
ISO 3166 code	GB-DND
GSS code	S12000042

Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland. It sits on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which flows into the North Sea. In 2016, about 148,000 people lived here. This makes Dundee the second most densely populated city in Scotland.

Dundee is one of Scotland's 32 council areas for local government. It became an important trading port in the late 1100s. During the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, Dundee grew rapidly. It became famous for its jute industry. People called Dundee the city of "jute, jam, and journalism" because of its main industries.

Today, Dundee is changing. It wants to be a cultural hub. A huge project is underway to connect the city centre to the waterfront. The V&A Dundee museum, the first V&A outside London, is a big part of this plan. Dundee is also known as "One City, Many Discoveries." This celebrates its history of science and the RRS Discovery, a ship built in Dundee for Antarctic exploration.

The city is a hub for research in technology, medicine, and life sciences. It's also a leader in electric vehicles. In 2014, the United Nations named Dundee the UK's first UNESCO City of Design. This was for its contributions to medical research, comics, and video games. GQ magazine called Dundee the "Coolest Little City in Britain" in 2015.

What Does the Name "Dundee" Mean?

The name "Dundee" comes from two old Celtic words. Dun means "fort," and dè means "fire." So, Dundee means "Fort of Fire" or "Fort on the Tay."

A Look Back: Dundee's Story

Early Times: From Fort to Burgh

Dundee became a successful seaport thanks to William the Lion. In the late 1100s, he gave Dundee to his brother, David. David helped the town grow as a trading centre. Dundee became a Royal Burgh in 1292 when John Balliol became king.

During the First War of Scottish Independence, English forces took over Dundee. But Robert the Bruce recaptured it in 1312. The town's original documents were lost, so Bruce renewed them in 1327.

Dundee in 1693 by John Slezer

Dundee suffered a lot during the Rough Wooing (1543-1550). English forces burned the town in 1548. Later, in 1651, George Monck's forces destroyed it again during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Dundee also played a role in the Jacobite cause. In 1689, John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee raised the Stuart flag on Dundee Law. In 1716, James Francis Edward Stuart, who many Scots believed was the rightful king, visited the town.

A famous person from Dundee was Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown. Born in 1731, he became an admiral in the Royal Navy. In 1797, he won a major naval battle against the Dutch fleet.

Growth and Industry: The 18th and 19th Centuries

In medieval times, Dundee's economy relied on exporting raw wool. But in the 1700s, new laws helped the textile industry grow. Large mills were built, and the city's population quickly increased.

A big change came with jute. This strong fibre could be processed cheaply using whale oil, which Dundee had plenty of. Dundee's mills switched from linen to jute, and the industry boomed. By the late 1800s, Dundee had 62 jute mills, employing about 50,000 workers. Many Irish workers moved to Dundee for these jobs. Cox Brothers, who owned the huge Camperdown Works, were one of Europe's biggest jute makers.

Other industries also grew. Whaling supplied oil for the jute mills. Shipbuilding was also important. About 200 ships were built each year, including the RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic ship. You can see the Discovery at Discovery Point today. Whaling stopped in 1912, and shipbuilding ended in 1981.

Dundee also became known for James Keiller's and Sons, which started making marmalade in 1795. The publishing company DC Thomson was founded in 1905. This is why Dundee was known for its "three Js": Jute, Jam, and Journalism.

The original Tay Bridge (from the south) the day after the disaster. The collapsed section can be seen near the northern end.

The city also saw a terrible rail disaster. The first Tay Rail Bridge opened in 1878. Just 18 months later, it collapsed during a storm, killing 75 people on a train. In 1906, a huge fire in the city caused "rivers of burning whisky" to flow through the streets.

Modern Dundee: 20th and 21st Centuries

In the early 1900s, the jute industry declined. This led to high unemployment. But after World War II, new companies like Timex and NCR brought light engineering and microelectronics jobs.

Dundee was the first city in Scotland to officially become a "city." Queen Victoria signed a document in 1889, changing Dundee from a royal burgh to a city.

Today, a £1 billion plan is transforming Dundee's waterfront. It aims to connect the city centre to the river again. The V&A Dundee museum, which opened in 2018, is a key part of this project. A new Eden Project attraction is also planned for the 2030s.

How Dundee is Governed

Local Government and Representation

Dundee City Chambers, where the city council meets

Dundee City is one of Scotland's 32 council areas. It is run by Dundee City Council, which meets at Dundee City Chambers. The head of the council is the Lord Provost.

For national elections, Dundee is split into two areas for the UK Parliament in Westminster. These are Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and Dundee West. For the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, the city is part of three areas: Dundee City East, Dundee City West, and Angus South.

A famous politician, Sir Winston Churchill, was an MP for Dundee from 1908 to 1922.

City Status and Boundaries

Coat of arms of the city of Dundee

Dundee became a burgh between 1181 and 1195. It was made a royal burgh in 1292. The city has two mottos: Dei Donum ("Gift of God") and Prudentia et Candore ("With Thought and Purity").

In 1889, Dundee was officially declared a city. This made it the first Scottish place to get this title. Its boundaries have grown over time. In 1913, it included the nearby town of Broughty Ferry.

From 1975 to 1996, Dundee was part of the Tayside region. In 1996, the Dundee City council area was created. Some areas like Monifieth and Invergowrie were moved to other councils.

Independence Referendum

In 2014, Dundee was one of four areas in Scotland to vote "Yes" in the Scottish independence referendum. About 57.3% of voters in Dundee supported independence. This led some to call Dundee the "Yes City."

Dundee's Location and Environment

Where is Dundee?

The Dundee Law

Dundee is on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, on Scotland's eastern North Sea coast. It is about 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Edinburgh. The city is about 8.3 miles (13.4 km) long and 2.5 miles (4 km) wide.

Hills run through the city, like Balgay Hill and the Dundee Law (174 metres high). North of these hills is a valley with the Dighty Water burn. Further north are the Sidlaw Hills.

Two burns, the Lochee burn and the Dighty Water, mark the city's western and eastern edges. The Scouring burn and Dens Burn, important for industrial growth, are now covered over.

A cityscape from the Tay

City Landscape

View from The Law, overlooking Dundee City Centre and the Tay Road Bridge

Not much of old Dundee remains because of the destruction during the War of the Rough Wooing. The medieval town was between East Port and West Port, where city gates once stood. The shoreline has changed a lot since the 1800s due to harbour development.

In the 18th century, textile mills were built around burns like Lochee Burn and Dens Burn. After World War II, industry expanded to areas along the Kingsway.

Working-class homes grew quickly in the Victorian era. Living conditions were often poor and crowded. Later, planned housing estates like Logie and Craigiebank were built.

The city centre was modernised after the war. The old Overgate area was replaced by a shopping centre. The Tay Road Bridge, finished in 1966, changed the city centre's connection to the river. Many large housing estates were built in the north of the city in the 1950s and 60s. Some of these, especially high-rise flats, have been demolished since the 1990s.

Areas of Dundee:

Dundee's Weather

Haar (fog) travelling up the River Tay by advection

Dundee has an oceanic climate, like much of Scotland. Temperatures and rainfall are typical for the east coast. The city's location by the Firth of Tay means it's a bit warmer than other coastal areas, especially in spring and summer. Winters are mild, similar to the rest of the UK.

The highest temperature recorded was 29.3°C in July 2013. In an average year, the warmest day might reach 25.2°C. Very warm days are rare. On average, there are about 53 days of frost each year.

Who Lives in Dundee?

Population and Demographics

Population pyramid of Dundee in 2020

Dundee's population reached its highest point in 1971, with over 182,000 people. In 2020, about 149,680 people lived in the city. The age groups in Dundee are similar to the rest of Scotland. The largest group is people aged 30 to 44.

Most people in Dundee were born in the United Kingdom (94.16%). About 87.85% are from Scotland. A small percentage are from other countries. Compared to Scotland as a whole, Dundee has fewer people born outside the UK and fewer people over 75 years old.

People from Dundee are called Dundonians. They often have a unique Scots dialect and accent. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Dundee's population grew quickly. Many Irish workers moved here for jobs in the textile industry. In 1851, almost 19% of people in Dundee were born in Ireland.

Dundee has also welcomed immigrants from Italy and Jewish communities. Today, Dundee has a noticeable ethnic minority population. About 4,000 Asian residents live here, making it Scotland's fourth-largest Asian community.

Students in Dundee

Dundee has a high number of university students. About one in seven people in the city are students. They come from all over the world to attend the local universities and colleges. Many students from Northern Ireland choose to study in Dundee.

Dundee also attracts many international students. These include students from the Republic of Ireland, other European Union countries, and places like the Far East and Nigeria.

Diversity in Dundee

Dundee is home to people from many different backgrounds. The number of people born outside the UK has increased over the years. In 2022, about 12.9% of Dundee residents were born outside the UK.

Here are the top 15 countries where people living in Dundee were born (not including the UK):

Country of birth	2022	2011	2001
Poland	2,616	1,807	127
India	1,449	986	599
Pakistan	1,364	862	701
Nigeria	1,186	601	66
Germany	775	899	696
United States	602	314	209
China	553	730	298
Ireland	529	572	625
Italy	474	199	197
Romania	435	95	11
Bangladesh	434	201	125
Spain	362	166	114
Latvia	355	211	0
Hong Kong	309	246	201
Malaysia	299	291	155
Overall – all overseas-born	19,194	13,253	7,198

Religion in Dundee

Dundee Parish Church, St Mary's is one of three of the Dundee's City Churches which are joined; only two function as places of worship: St. Mary's and St. Clement's (the Old Steeple) which can be seen in the background.

The Church of Scotland has 37 churches in and around Dundee. The City Churches, Dundee Parish Church (St Mary's) and the Steeple Church, are very old and important. Only the 15th-century tower of St Mary's remains from the original church.

In the Middle Ages, Dundee had several religious buildings. These were destroyed during the Scottish Reformation in the 1500s. Their sites are now burial grounds like The Howff.

St. Paul's Cathedral is an important church for the Scottish Episcopal faith. St. Andrew's Cathedral is the main church for Roman Catholics in the area.

Dundee also has churches for Methodists, Baptists, and other Christian groups.

Muslims in Dundee attend the Dundee Central Mosque, built in 2000, and other mosques. The Sikh community has the Guru Nanak Gurdwara. A Jewish community has been in Dundee since the early 1800s, with a synagogue at Dudhope Park. There is also a Buddhist Temple and a Hindu mandir in the city.

Dundee's Economy

Cox's Stack, a chimney from the former Camperdown Works jute mill. The chimney takes its name from jute baron James Cox who later became Provost of the city.

In 1911, 40% of Dundee's population worked in the jute industry. By 1951, this dropped to 20%, and now it's almost zero. After World War II, Dundee's economy changed. New industries came to the city. NCR Corporation chose Dundee in 1945 because the city was not damaged in the war and had good transport. NCR made cash registers and later ATMs.

The Michelin tyre factory also helped create jobs as the jute industry declined. In the 1980s, Dundee lost many manufacturing jobs. To help, Dundee was made an Enterprise Zone in 1984. Timex made the first ZX Spectrum home computers in Dundee in 1983. However, Timex closed its Dundee factory in 1993. The Michelin Tyre factory closed in 2020, leading to 850 job losses.

Dundee is a major employment centre for the region. Many people from nearby areas travel to work in the city. The biggest employers include NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council, and the University of Dundee. Several government agencies are also based here.

Ninewells Hospital, one of the largest employers in the Dundee area

The biomedical and biotechnology industries employ many people in Dundee. Information technology and video game development have been important for over 20 years. Rockstar North, which made Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto, started in Dundee. Other game studios like Denki and 4J Studios are also in the city.

Dundee is a key shopping destination in North East Scotland. The city centre has many shops, including large department stores. The Overgate Centre and Wellgate Centre are the main shopping malls. Other retail parks are located around the city.

Getting Around Dundee

Road Travel

Dundee is connected by the A90 road, which goes to Perth in the west and Aberdeen in the north. The A90 acts as the city's main bypass. The A92 connects Dundee to Arbroath and Montrose in the east, and to Fife in the south via the Tay Road Bridge.

Other important roads include the A930 to eastern coastal towns and the A85 along Riverside Drive. The A991 is an inner ring road around the city centre.

Bus Services

Dundee has a large network of bus routes. The Seagate bus station is where buses leave for other towns. Xplore Dundee runs most city bus services. Other companies like Stagecoach Strathtay operate services to more rural areas.

Train, Air, and Sea Travel

External view of the rebuilt entrance to Dundee railway station after its 2018 reopening

Dundee has two train stations: the main Dundee station near the waterfront and the smaller Broughty Ferry station. Train services are provided by ScotRail, CrossCountry, Caledonian Sleeper, and London North Eastern Railway.

Dundee Airport in 2021

Dundee Airport offers flights to Heathrow Airport, Kirkwall Airport, and Sumburgh. It's for smaller aircraft and is close to the city centre. Edinburgh Airport is the nearest major international airport.

The cargo port of Dundee is important for the city's economy. It has seen more cruise ships recently. In 2023, Ambassador Cruise Line started cruises from Dundee to places like Norway and France.

Learning in Dundee

Universities and Colleges

The University of Dundee

Dundee has two universities and about 20,000 students. The University of Dundee became independent in 1967. It was founded in 1881. The university is known for its research in biomedical fields. It also has a Law School and a School of Medicine at Ninewells Hospital. The university includes the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Abertay University started as Dundee Institute of Technology in 1888. It became a university in 1994. Abertay is famous for its computing and creative technology courses, especially in computer games and cyber-security. Famous alumni include David Jones, who founded Rockstar North.

Dundee College merged with Angus College in 2013 to become Dundee and Angus College (D&A college). It offers higher education and vocational training. The Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education, established in 2002, offers studies in Islam, Arabic, and Islamic Economics.

Schools in Dundee

Morgan Academy Dundee

Dundee has over 20,300 pupils in its schools. There are 37 primary schools and 8 secondary schools run by the state. There are also 11 primary and 2 secondary Roman Catholic schools, open to all children. One special school helps pupils with learning difficulties.

Dundee has one independent school, the High School of Dundee. It was founded in the 13th century. Famous students from the past include Thomas Thomson and Hector Boece. Some stories say William Wallace also studied there.

Dundee's Culture

Dundee tried to become the UK City of Culture in 2017 but was not chosen. In 2021, Dundee joined with other nearby areas to bid for the UK City of Culture 2025 as 'Tay Cities'. Dundee also wanted to be the European Capital of Culture in 2023, but this was stopped when the UK left the European Union.

Museums and Art

The McManus Galleries in the city's Albert Square

The main museum and art gallery is McManus Galleries in Albert Square. It has art, items from Dundee's history, and natural history exhibits. Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) opened in 1999. It has art galleries, a cinema, and a print studio.

Britain's only full-time public observatory, Mills Observatory, is on Balgay Hill. The Dundee Science Centre has interactive exhibits about the five senses. Verdant Works is a museum about Dundee's jute industry, located in an old jute mill.

The University of Dundee also has museums and galleries, like the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum. The V&A Dundee Museum of Design opened in 2018. It is built on the River Tay and is a key part of the waterfront development. It is expected to bring many visitors to the city.

"The Riders of the Sidhe" John Duncan 1911 McManus Galleries, Dundee

Dundee's historical records are kept at Dundee City Archives and the University of Dundee's Archive Services. These archives hold official city records and documents about Dundee's businesses and people.

Books and Writers

Dundee has a rich literary history. Many authors were born, lived, or studied here, including A. L. Kennedy and Mary Shelley. The Dundee International Book Prize is a competition for new authors. William McGonagall, known as the "world's worst poet," lived and wrote in Dundee. Many of his poems are about the city, like The Tay Bridge Disaster.

Movies and Film

The Dundee Mountain Film Festival (DMFF) shows the best films about mountaineering and adventure. Dundee Contemporary Arts also hosts Dundead, a horror film festival, and the Discovery Film Festival for young audiences. The city has two large cinemas, Odeon and Cineworld.

Theatre, Drama, and Dance

Dundee has a full-time theatre group at the Dundee Repertory Theatre. Famous actor Brian Cox is from Dundee and was part of this group. The theatre is also home to the Scottish Dance Theatre company. The Whitehall Theatre opened in 1969. The Little Theatre is home to the Dundee Dramatic Society.

Music Scene

Dundee's main concert hall is the Caird Hall. It often hosts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Smaller venues host local and international musicians during Dundee's Jazz, Guitar, and Blues Festivals.

Dundee has hosted the Royal National Mòd several times. It also hosted BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2006 and again in 2023 at Camperdown Park.

Many popular music groups are from Dundee, such as Average White Band, the Associates, and the View. Musician Michael Marra was born and raised here. Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue and singer-songwriter KT Tunstall went to the High School of Dundee. The band Snow Patrol was formed by students at the University of Dundee. Dundee also has an annual blues festival called the Dundee Blues Bonanza.

Famous Places and Buildings

St Mary's Tower, oldest building in Dundee, dating to late 15th century

The city is known for The Law hill and the Firth of Tay. The Law has an old Iron Age fort and a war memorial. The waterfront has old docks from the jute and whaling industries. The Victoria Dock is home to the frigate HMS Unicorn and the North Carr Lightship. Captain Scott's RRS Discovery is at Craig Pier.

The oldest building in Dundee is St Mary's Tower, from the late 1400s. It's part of the City Churches. Other important churches include St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral and the Catholic St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Because of past destruction, not many medieval buildings remain. The Wishart Arch (East Port) is the last part of the old city walls. Gardyne's Land on the High Street dates from around 1560. The Howff burial ground was once a Franciscan abbey.

Claypotts Castle, dating from the late 16th century

Several castles are in Dundee. Mains Castle and Dudhope Castle are from the 1500s. Claypotts Castle is a unique Z-plan castle from the late 1500s. Broughty Castle was a major defence until 1932. The ruins of Powrie Castle are also nearby.

The High School of Dundee was built in the 1830s in a Greek Revival style. Morgan Academy is another notable school building from 1863.

Dundee's industrial past is visible in its old jute mills. Many have been turned into new buildings. Examples include the Tay Works and the huge Camperdown Works.

A more modern landmark is the Tower Building of the University of Dundee, built in the 1960s. It's one of the tallest buildings in the city. Many 1960s high-rise housing blocks were demolished in the 2000s.

Sports and Fun in Dundee

Football Teams

Dens Park and Tannadice Park

Dundee has two professional football clubs: Dundee (founded 1893) and Dundee United (founded 1909). Both play in the Scottish Premiership. Their stadiums, the ScotFoam Stadium and Tannadice Park, are only 100 metres apart! The "Dundee derby" matches between them are very exciting.

Dundee is one of only four British cities to have two teams reach the semi-finals of the European Cup. Dundee FC reached the semi-finals in 1963, and Dundee United in 1984. Dundee United also reached the UEFA Cup final in 1987. There are also seven junior football teams in the area.

Ice Hockey

The Dundee Stars are the city's main ice hockey team. They play at the Dundee Ice Arena in the Elite League. They are one of three professional ice hockey teams in Scotland. In 2014, the Dundee Stars won the Gardiner Conference trophy. Most of their players are from Canada and the United States. There is also an amateur team, the Dundee Rockets.

Rugby Teams

Dundee has six rugby union teams. Dundee High School Former Pupils play in the second tier of Scottish club rugby. Other teams play in the Caledonia Regional League.

Athletics and Other Sports

Famous athletes Liz McColgan and Eilish McColgan are from Dundee. They are members of the Dundee Hawkhill Harriers athletics club.

Other sports clubs in Dundee include handball, hockey, volleyball, and floorball. The Olympia Leisure Centre, opened in 2013, has a swimming pool. There is also a velodrome called Caird Park Velodrome.

Public Services in Dundee

Backwater Reservoir

Scottish Water supplies water to Dundee from Lintrathen and Backwater reservoirs. Scottish Hydro Electric provides electricity.

Dundee City Council handles waste management. There is a recycling scheme that collects cans, glass, plastic bottles, and paper. Recycling centres are available across the city.

Police Scotland provides law enforcement. Their main office is on West Bell Street, and there are four other police stations.

Healthcare is provided by NHS Tayside. Ninewells Hospital is the main hospital with an emergency department. The Scottish Ambulance Service covers Dundee and the surrounding areas. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has three fire stations in the city.

Dundee's Sister Cities

Dundee has sister city relationships with several cities around the world:

• Orléans, France (since 1946)
• Zadar, Croatia (since 1959)
• Alexandria, United States (since 1962)
• Würzburg, Germany (since 1962)
• Nablus, Palestine (since 1980)
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates (since 2004)
• West Dundee, United States (since 2013)

Freedom of the City

The "Freedom of the City" is a special honour given to people or military units. Here are some who have received it in Dundee:

Individuals

• Sir John Leng: 1902
• Whitelaw Reid: 1906
• H. H. Asquith: October 1912
• Emma Grace Marryat: 1918
• Thomas Johnston: 1947
• Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: 1954
• Maurice McManus: 1981
• Nelson Mandela: 9 October 1993
• Ramsay MacDonald
• Stanley Baldwin
• Rev. William Macmillan
• James McLean

Military Units

• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment): 1954

See also

In Spanish: Dundee para niños