Open/Close Dundee
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Open/Close Dundee. Street Art Trail, Murals & Hidden Corners of the City
Open/Close Dundee is one of the most interesting ways to explore the city. It’s a street art trail that takes you through lanes, closes, and corners most people would normally walk straight past.
What started as a small project has grown into a city-wide collection of murals and artwork, created by local artists and shaped by the communities around them.
It’s not polished or over-designed. That’s the point. You’re discovering Dundee as you go.
What It Is
Open/Close is a series of art trails spread across Dundee, linking together:
- City centre alleyways
- Hidden lanes and closes
- Streets in areas like Stobswell and Lochee
- Larger mural locations across the city
Each piece is different. Different style, different story, different artist.
How It Started
Back in 2017, the project kicked off with painted doors in the city centre.
- Originally planned as a small trial
- Grew quickly through artist support
- Many artists volunteered their time
- Ended up with a full trail across hidden parts of Dundee
That early success is what pushed it into something much bigger.
The Trails
City Centre Trail
- Painted doors and smaller pieces
- Hidden in lanes and alleyways
- Easy to walk in around an hour
- Feels like a bit of a treasure hunt
Stobswell Trail
- Larger, more visible murals
- Strong community involvement
- Highlights local shops, streets, and culture
- Shows a different side of Dundee beyond the waterfront
Lochee Murals
- Mix of large and smaller artworks
- Created with schools and community groups
- Includes tributes to local figures and heritage
- Adds colour and identity to the area
Billboard Project
- Rotating artwork space
- Located on Perth Road
- New pieces added over time
- Keeps the project evolving
What Makes It Different
This isn’t just “nice art on walls”.
- It brings life to overlooked spaces
- It helps reduce vandalism in those areas
- It encourages people to explore parts of the city they wouldn’t normally visit
- It supports local artists directly
It changes how people move through Dundee.
The Experience
You don’t follow it like a strict route. You wander.
- Turn down a lane you’d normally ignore
- Spot something unexpected
- Keep going
Some pieces are obvious. Others you’ll miss unless you’re paying attention.
That’s part of it.
Who It’s For
Open/Close works for:
- Visitors wanting something different
- Locals rediscovering the city
- Photographers
- Anyone who likes exploring without a fixed plan
- People bored of the same obvious spots
Location & Access
📍 Across Dundee
Key areas include:
- City centre
- West End
- Stobswell
- Lochee
- Perth Road
You can do sections at a time or link them together into a longer walk.
How Long It Takes
- City centre trail: around 1 hour
- Wider exploration: as long as you want
- Easy to dip in and out of
Why It Works
- It’s free
- It’s always there
- It changes over time
- It shows real Dundee, not just the polished version
- It connects different parts of the city
