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The "City of Discovery," so dubbed in honor of the Royal Research Ship "Discovery," which carried the 1902 National Antarctic Expedition, Dundee has been a population center since the 11th century. The city has been home to inventors and pioneers of aspirin, electric light, wireless telegraphy, manned flight, X-Rays, the adhesive postage stamp, keyhole surgery and radar.

Today, Dundee is a city of about 160,000, with industry, university, a bustling commercial downtown, an active arts scene and numerous tourist attractions, some of which are described in this article. Dundee can easily be reached by road, by rail or bus from Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and other major UK cities, or by air from London City Airport. Multiple local companies provide bus service throughout the area, with daily passes available for exploring.

The R.R.S. Discovery must, of course, be given top billing. Fully restored, she has been berthed since 1992 in a custom dock on the Firth of Tay where she was first launched. http://www.rrsdiscovery.com/ H.M. Frigate Unicorn, a 46-gun wooden warship from the 1820s, is docked a short distance away, on the other side of the Tay Road Bridge. http://www.frigateunicorn.org/

Dundee's most prominent natural feature, Dundee Law, is topped with a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I. "Law" is a Scots word meaning "hill," and the Law is the tallest hill in the city. A quick trip to its top provides panoramic views of the Tay and the kingdom of Fife across the water, and in the winter, the snowy highlands to the northwest.

Balgay Hill, second tallest in town, is home to the Mills Observatory. Funded by a bequest from a linen and twine manufacturer, this astronomical observatory was completed in 1935 and is the only observatory in the United Kingdom to have been built specifically for public use. http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/m ills/

Broughty Castle - one of several in and around Dundee - stands on the banks of the Tay a few miles east of city center, in the suburb of Broughty. Fortified in the late 1400s, it's seen quite a few battles. It's now a museum, with exhibits of historical weapons and whaling memorabilia. http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/b roughtycastle/

Just west of town, above the airport, is the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, which features trees and other plants from regions around the world, outdoors and in two large greenhouses. http://www.dundeebotanicgarden .co.uk/

Camperdown Park, one of many parks in Dundee, is home to a variety of activities, and the Camperdown Wildlife Centre. This small zoological center features animals ranging from bears, wolves and lynx to guinea pigs, rabbits and a pair of Nene, or Hawaiian Geese. http://www.camperdownpark.com/

Caird Hall, the center of Dundee's arts and cultural scene, hosts numerous concerts, dance performances and other exhibitions. It's located in the city center, just a short walk from the RRS Discovery. http://www.cairdhall.co.uk/

Dun dee is also an excellent starting point for a visit to Glamis Castle, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth! The small town of Glamis is located just 12 miles north of Dundee, and regular bus service is available. http://www.glamis-castle.co.uk /

Learn more about this author, Dan Birchall.
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