Dundee Museums

(Dundee, Scotland, UK)



British Golf Museum photoThe north-eastern coast of Scotland's long and impressive history is well represented by a multitude of museums large and small, both in Dundee itself and scattered around the region.

From local life displays and the history of aviation and shipbuilding, to a museum dedicated to the five centuries of that very Scots game, golf, there is much to see and experience on a rainy afternoon in and around the city. The fairytale castles all over the Dundee region are museums in themselves and often come crammed with museum-quality relics and artefacts. Families in particular will enjoy spending some time at the Sensation Dundee attraction, an innovative science centre where there is sure to be something to keep your children entertained and amused.


British Golf Museum close-up photo

British Golf Museum

Address: Bruce Embankment, St. Andrews, Near Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01334 460 046
Just half an hour's drive from Dundee is the British Golf Museum, located, of course, in St. Andrews. The displays, works of art, photographs, trophies and memorabilia are all dedicated to the 500 years of golfing history, with further exhibits celebrating the game's strong association with the town of St. Andrews. Eleven galleries take visitors from the game's origins right up to the present day, remembering Scottish golfing personalities, early equipment and the development of the game itself.
Open hours: January to March, daily - 10:00 to 16:00; April to October - Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 17:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; November and December - daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Discovery Point Museum image

Discovery Point Museum

Address: Discovery Quay, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01382 201 245
After visiting the Discovery Quay and RRS Discovery attraction, don't forget to drop in at the Discovery Point Museum. This fascinating account of Captain Robert Falcon Scott (1868 to 1912) and the men who sailed with him on that unbelievable polar exploration uses state-of-the-art audiovisual multimedia to enhance the displays. Exhibited are the actual artefacts used by the crew and Scott himself. Joint tickets are available for both the Discovery Point and the Verdant Works.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 18:00; November to March, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Verdant Works

Address: West Henderson's Wynd, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01382 309 060
An exceptional industrial museum highly regarded throughout Europe, the Verdant Works is housed within a former jute mill, restored to its former glory with its original machinery remaining in perfect working order. The prosperity of Victorian Dundee was based on jute, a rough fibre imported from India and processed into goods for domestic use and export. This famous jute mill takes visitors back to the lives and work of Dundee's people over 100 years ago. Expect original working machinery and interactive displays, as well as a rundown of the city's social history.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 18:00; November to March, Wednesday to Saturday - 10:30 to 16:30, Sunday - 11:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Broughty Castle Museum view

Broughty Castle Museum

Address: 357 King Street, Castle Green, Broughty Ferry, Tay Estuary, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01382 436 916
This cultural attraction is set in Broughty Castle and displays the history of the life and times of the fishing village of Broughty Ferry. Often referred to as simply 'The Ferry', Broughty Ferry is a popular seaside suburb located just 6 km / 4 miles to the east of the city centre, where it boasts a lengthy sandy beach. Exhibits at the Broughty Castle Museum show the inhabitants through the ages, their lifestyles, the environment and the local wildlife. Many of the displays are of a hands-on nature, while the view from the higher floors across the Firth of Tay estuary is stunning and not to be missed.
Open hours: April to September, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00; October to March, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 12:30 to 16:00
Admission: free

Angus Folk Museum

Address: Kirk Wynd, Glamis, Angus, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01307 840 288
Located in the village of Glamis, a short drive from Dundee, the Angus Folk Museum displays 200 years of local life. It is set in a row of old cottages and a farmhouse, with the various rooms fitted out as they would have been at the times displayed. A kitchen, a manse parlour, a schoolroom, the workings of a bothy (a small traditional cottage), a smithy and a farm all combine to give visitors an authentic and intriguing glimpse of the past.
Open hours: April to June, September and October, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00; July and August, Monday to Saturday - 11:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Sensation Dundee picture

Sensation Dundee

Address: Greenmarket, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01382 228 800
This fun-packed science centre, close to the Nethergate area, is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city and is perfect if you are travelling with kids. Sensation aims to inspire a rethink of science as a fascinating study and uses visitors' five senses to explore the scientific world. A multimedia approach is extensively used and a myriad of 'ologies' is covered. Endless interactive attractions, family workshops, a gift shop selling science-related goodies and the Infusion Coffee Shop (with free Wi-Fi Internet access) are further highlights. You should allow a good two hours to fully appreciate the exhibits, build a robot and play the mind games.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors, children under fours years old are free

Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre

Address: Waldron Road, Montrose, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01674 678 222
Set in the very first operational air station in Britain, founded in 1913 by the No. 2 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, this airfield trained pilots in both World Wars. The history of aviation is celebrated here at the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, with documents, photos, vehicles and of course, the vintage planes themselves, including the Richard Moss collection. The air station, like so many places in Scotland, is allegedly haunted, so be sure to keep an eye out for ghostly goings-on as you explore the exhibits!
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00 (April to September), Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00 (year round)
Admission: charge

University of Dundee Museums

Address: University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01382 384 310
The University of Dundee is home to a good number of eclectic and informative collections assembled as educational displays for study and public interest. The D'Arcy Thompson Museum of Zoology is one such cultural attraction and is to be found within the Carnelley Building. Also of note is the Medical Museum and two excellent art galleries, the Lamb Gallery and the Tower Foyer. Other attractions here include the University House, Bonar Hall, the Chaplaincy, the Law Library, the Medical School and the West Park House.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 20:30, Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: free