Dundee in General > Reviews (7)

It has been the case for a long time that Dundee’s wealth and prosperity was built on the three J’s. Jute,which was imported into the city from India and Pakistan, was spun and then woven in the manufacture of bags used in packaging. Jam which was produced at the world famous Keiller’s factory. Journalism was significant, not least for the huge plant of D C Thomson, perhaps still best known as the producers of The Beano.

Dundee remains a large city boasting like Edinburgh and Glasgow two premier league football teams. This winter will also see the opening of a new ice rink to replace the one closed 5 years ago.

Dundee has many nice hotels. At the expensive end is the Swallow on the outskirts of the city and the Earl Grey close to the waterfront and the railway station. The Earl Grey is particularly expensive and poor value. It does have a casino complex adjacent to it but the most certain bet is that the Earl Grey is waste of money. Better value are the 3 hotels run by Bett Inns. They have the Invercarse Hotel close to the University and the Woodlands out in Broughty Ferry. A little further out is the Panmure in Monifieth. I have stopped at both the Invercarse and Woodlands and found them to be good value, comfortable and with reasonable menus for dinner. The Woodlands can get a bit busy in the evening particularly when holding rotary nights and similar events.

There are also three Travel Inn lodges including one close to Discovery Quay. The one close to the quay is perfectly placed for the city centre, railway station and Olympia leisure centre. Of the 3 lodges this one inevitably gets full first so if you know you are heading for Dundee book ahead if you want this one.

For things to do in Dundee there is the leisure centre with all the amenities you want including swimming pool with flumes. During the day the Discovery Quay area has the original ship which took Scott to the Antarctic with an informative educational display about the voyage and the Antarctic. There is a working Jute Mill called Verdant Mills which you can visit to learn about that part of Dundee’s history.

Nightlife is quite vibrant with masses of pubs and clubs offering all types of entertainment. There is an Indian restaurant called The Jahangir close to the city centre. I cannot recommend this. I always believe that there is a law of inverse food quality in Indian/Pakistani restaurants and that is the posher the surroundings the worse the food. The plainer the décor the better the food. The Jahangir is very posh including a door greeter in traditional dress. The food was bland and dull though.

Dundee does have a lot of poverty, like many UK cities. But I have always found it a vibrant city full of honesty and integrity whose people are as friendly as you would wish.