Out & About in Dundee

Dundee is the fourth largest city in Scotland and has a population of around 155,000. Known as the 'City of Discovery', Dundee has a rich history that stretches back as far as the Mesolithic period (20-12,000 BC) and notably includes an era dominated by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce - two historical figures made world famous by the Hollywood blockbuster, 'Braveheart'.

Dundee University is a prominent landmark in the city, comprising of several imposing 19th century buildings and forming an important resource for the local economy. With a little under 19,000 students enrolled at the University, local business benefits directly and indirectly, as both graduate employment is, relatively speaking, high in the area and there is also an abundance of research and development contracts.

Dundee Parish Church is another notable landmark in the city and there are two professional football clubs - Dundee and Dundee United - among a host of other sporting attractions. Dundee's economic profile is comparable to other large cities in Scotland and, in 2008, availability of jobs stood at 83,541 and the gross median wage of full time employees was =A3465.60.

Shopping

Dundee's retail industry accounts for just under 17% of all jobs in the city, making it one of its most important sectors. High street stores are very popular in Dundee, with notable retailers including Waterstones, HMV, Debenhams, Next, Virgin and Boots - just about every leading department store can be found here. The impressive availability of such a diverse range of stores on the high street can be attributed to the recent =A3200 million redevelopment of the city centre.

Situated on either side of the high street, Overgate and Wellgate Shopping Centres also make up a considerable proportion of shops in the area and account for the vast retail employment in Dundee city centre.

Overgate is open Monday - Saturday from 9am to 6pm, with a 7:30pm closure on Thursdays. Sunday shopping is also available from noon to 5pm. Amongst the vast array of stores in the centre, which include chemists, florists, banks and other specialist shops, there are plenty of facilities for babies and the disabled. Wellgate Shopping Centre comprises 30 major retail stores and has parking space for 600 cars.

Food and Drink

Dundee has a wide selection of quality restaurants in the area, as may be expected of a relatively large city. If steak, chips and burgers take your fancy, then the Birkhill Inn, which includes a delightful beer garden, is the place to be. For those in search of a more foreign cuisine, the Alchemy Restaurant at the Apex City Quay Hotel is well worth a visit. Serving various French and Scottish dishes, the restaurant offers a warm, friendly experience in a candle-lit environment.

Dundee also has superb Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants. However, if a genuine taste of Scottish cuisine is desired, look no further than the Mercury Maia Fine Restaurant. The Mercury Maia serves a splendid range of main course meals, from scented halibut to lobster pancake, and there is an exceptional cocktail bar on hand.

As can be expected of a Scottish city, there are many places to wine and dine. The city is host to both traditional and modern bars and pubs.

Arts and Entertainment

Arts and entertainment lovers will be spoilt for choice in Dundee. The Dundee Repertory Theatre, for instance, is home to the Scottish Dance Theatre and stages six of its own productions each year, playing to an average annual audience of 70,000.

The Caird Hall is a magnificent building in Dundee and is the city's principal auditorium, which seats 2150 people and regularly hosts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The McManus Galleries is another exceptional, gothic-style building, which lays stage to both an art gallery and museum. Whilst its collections are obviously the main attraction, the building itself is well worth a visit as it dominates the skyline with its impressive and imposing architecture. There is also a large Odeon Cinema in Dundee, amongst other entertainment facilities such as bowling and ice skating.

Hotel and Travel

Visitors to Dundee will be able to select from a number of top quality hotels. There is perhaps none better than the Landmark Hotel, which recently underwent an expensive facelift and now comprises 95 spacious bedrooms, conference facilities, wedding venue, leisure club, wi-fi lounge and a charming restaurant. Free parking and good accessibility add to the hotel's immense appeal to a wide demographic of guests.

Dundee Railway Station serves around 1.6 million passengers each year and is a major form of transport in the city. Furthermore, the local bus station can be found on Seagate and operates routes throughout the city, whilst Dundee Airport flies to London, Belfast and Birmingham amongst other destinations. Dundee is easily accessed by car via the A90 and M90 from the South or the M80, M9 and M90 from the West.