When you think of Dundee, you picture iconic football derbies, beautiful art galleries, and timeless cityscape views, but what about the rest of the city? These tourist hotspots and key attractions only tell one thread of the story—a story that, when you stand back, becomes a beautiful tapestry.
Millions have lived, loved, and lost in Dundee over centuries. This guide is all about giving them a voice, giving you a new perspective of the city, and giving the spotlight to the hidden history and culture of Dundee.
The Black Friars made a home for themselves
When a prominent set of Dominican monks were persecuted in many parts of the UK, they found a home for themselves in Dundee. The tolerance, religious diversity, and rich culture of the city made it a natural choice for a group of people who believed with every part of their being that they had a right to follow their own faith.
George Wishart preached reform
This famous Protestant reformer called for reform and will be remembered forever thanks to the Wishart Arch. Unfortunately for Mr Wishart, he would meet an untimely end on the gallows, where he was publicly executed for his beliefs. The fact that he chose Dundee to be one of his most prominent rallying points serves to show just how significant the city has been in UK history across the centuries.
Witch hunts were once commonplace
Women who were born with ginger hair or who were accused by their friends would be tried as witches, and Dundee was one of the hotspots for witch hunts at one point. Witches were blamed for everything from sickness and ill health to failing crops and economic ruin. To be accused of practicing witchcraft in Dundee in the Middle Ages was akin to a death sentence and something that the entire city would be well aware of.
Mary Shelley’s Dundee Cottage
Mary Shelley made a home for herself in this great city for a couple of years before she wrote Frankenstein. Today, her memory lives on around the world through a story that is beloved by people from all walks of life, but what of the role of the city? While nothing in the book hints at it being set here, the steps that used to take visitors to her quaint little cottage remain standing to this day. They will be forever known as Frankenstein’s Steps and have become something of a hipster hangout for literary buffs.
A city of openness and tolerance
Dundee is actually one of the first cities in the UK to become truly multicultural and regularly puts on exhibits to showcase its rich and diverse history. On top of this openness and tolerance lies a willingness to expose people to new ideas, opinions, and points of view. This is one of the reasons the city is credited with having one of the very first municipal libraries in the country.
Knowing that people who live here have been progressive and forward-thinking for centuries is something that shines a new light on the city. In today’s climate, it is all too easy to assume that we only became enlightened in the last few decades. Dundee shows that this is, in fact, a journey that goes back centuries and one which is evolving with every passing day.
There’s even a Cold War bunker
We won’t tell you where it is because we want it to be the kind of hidden gem that you stumble across when you are least expecting it, but it is truly eye-opening. It was only a couple generations ago that many of us would have been occupied by the idea of impending doom due to a global nuclear war. The fact that Dundee offers a reminder of this is important because it shows us how the city continues to grow and evolve as if it were alive. It leaves behind relics of its previous thinking so that we can all get a much better appreciation of where we have come from.
A secret underground Route
Joseph King built a unique underground route that many reading this will simply have no idea about. It was groundbreaking in its time and showed the residents of the day just how far the city could go with the right combination of innovation, vision, and investment. These are three things that have very much remained at the epicentre of public policy in Dundee and have enabled it to be a city that is capable of continually reinventing itself.
Logie is more than you think
Town planning is something that is all too easy to overlook, and yet it defines so much of the character and atmosphere of every town and city in the UK. Logie became the first housing scheme in Scotland and has set the tone for social change in more ways than one. Taking a look at old pictures and seeing how they are reflected in more modern developments can breathe new life into the past and shows that Dundee is a city that has always been going places.
The last word
Dundee is a hidden gem, worthy of visiting for its unique blend of rich maritime and industrial past, seen in its historic sites and museums. It doesn’t matter if you are Scottish, English, or if you are travelling from further parts of the UK. There are many ways to spend your time on the move, such as reading a book, listening to music and podcasts, checking no deposit casino bonuses, or simply relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Scotland on the road.
Take your time, decide which place and attraction you want to visit first, and then do it at your own pace. Exactly what’s needed when it’s time to get to know the city on a deeper level by steering clear of the tourist traps and seeing a whole new side to life.
