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Scotland’s most underrated city – birthplace of the Beano and Dandy comics
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DUNDEE has been named the most underrated city to visit in Scotland, thanks to attractions like watersports in the quay and Scotland's first design museum.
Travel guide creator Peter Naldrett, who has visited all 76 cities in the UK, raved about Dundee.
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The Sheffield-based writer says Dundee, with its 150,000 residents, more than holds its own as a city break destination against the likes of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Peter, who wrote the book , told Sun Online Travel: "Dundee is the most underrated city in Scotland for tourists to visit, thanks to its brilliant museums.
"Not only is it the birthplace of famous comic books like The Beano and Dandy, it's also home to the ship that took Shackleton to Antarctica.
"Dundee has a really nice feel thanks to its river and waterfront where there are loads of attractions to keep families entertained."
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Must-see museums
The Discovery Point is a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award Winner and one of the city's top attractions.
Inside the sprawling museum, visitors will be able to learn about the history of whaling and explore Royal Research Ship Discovery, the vessel Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott used to sail to Antarctica.
The 123-year-old ship underwent a £1.4million conservation project to keep the historic vessel well-preserved for future generations.
Entry tickets into the Discovery Point cost £17 for a full-paying adult and £9.50 for kids.
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Dundee Science Centre is another TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award Winner.
Home to interactive exhibits and immersive experiences there's enough to keep the entire family entertained.
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There's also , which is thought to be the "flagship of the city's regeneration".
Located in the heart of Dundee's redeveloped waterfront, V&A Dundee became Scotland's first design museum when it opened in 2018.
Free to enter, visitors will be able to learn about the history of Scottish design as well as making the most of the family-friendly drop-in sessions.
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Watersports and waterparks
Not only does the Scottish city sing about its history but it also makes the most of its river and quay, offering a whole host of activities and attractions for its visitors.
One of those is , a water-based adventure hub with an aqua park, stand-up paddleboarding and open water city.
For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Alastair Derrick is a tour guide who runs .
Lasting for 75 minutes, Alastair takes visitors for a short walk along the waterfront while detailing 400 million years of Dundee’s history.
There's also the Olympia, a leisure centre that underwent a £6million refurb.
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EXPECT volcanic views, great fashion and Scottish salami in Dundee.
Take a 30-minute cycle along the waterfront to Broughty Ferry for indie fashion shops like Scandi-inspired Lulu & M, colourful Bella Mella and chic Prego Boutique.
The fascinating Verdant Works museum – home to the city’s huge 19th-century jute production – tells of how Dundee got its “She Town” nickname. Entry costs £14 per adult (Verdantworks.co.uk).
Later, dine at Daisy Tasker, a bistro dedicated to a local mill girl who also loved organising work socials.
Opt for duck liver parfait with Dundee marmalade, £5.95, and hake with red lentil dal curry, £16.50.
Pick up cracking Scottish cheese at The Cheesery, such as buttery Wee Comrie and tastier-than-it-sounds Minger (Thecheesery.co.uk).
Then, nab unique gifts like T-Rex earrings crafted by local makers at Maisy & Mac (Maisieandmac.com).
Tea aficionados shouldn’t miss J A Braithwaite, where tins of tea and coffee line the walls (Facebook.com/J.A.Braithwaite).
In addition to the usual indoor pools, the Dundee-based leisure centre also has a rapid river and four flume rides, including the Cannonball, which has a 3.8m drop into the water.
For younger holidaymakers, there's also a toddler pool with a water play structure, a water wall, tipping buckets, a water cannon and a water slide.
Nearby there's also Broughty Ferry Beach, which is nestled beneath a historic castle in the former fishing village of Broughty Ferry.
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Outdoor experiences
There are plenty of activities and attractions that are away from the water, including Dundee Botanic Garden.
Spanning across 9.5 hectares, the garden is home to a wide range of plants and shrubs as well as tropical glasshouses, a water garden and a herb garden.
There's also Balnuith Alpacas, which is located on the very edge of Dundee.
The Scottish farm is home to rare breeds of farm animals like Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, Falabella Miniature Horses, Poitou Donkeys, Guanacos and often newborn babies.
Fans of the Beano and Dandy will want to take photos next to the statues of famous comic book characters like Dennis the Menace, Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx.
Head to the High Street to get started, with other statues on Albert Square.
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Food and drink
Scotland's most underrated city is home to plenty of pubs here adults can sink a pint - and kids are welcome.
One of those places is Tickety Boo's, a traditional boozer that serves a range of hearty meals.
There's also The Fisherman's Tavern, located just a stone's throw from the waterfront and housed in a row of 17th-century cottages, it's the perfect calling point for a day at the waterfront.
Gidi Grill serves West African and Caribbean Cuisine and is one of Dundee's top restaurants.
Other top-rated spots include Wee Mexico, Agacan and Rancho Pancho.
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A short history of Dundee
DUNDEE'S origins can be traced all the way back to the Pictish Period (300 to 900 AD), when it was known as Alectum.
The city was later renamed Dundee by the Gaelic-speaking Scots.
During the medieval period, the Scottish city became an important trading port.
The city's status really grew during the Industrial Revolution, when it became known as the global centre for jute production, earning Dundee the nickname Juteopolis.
Dundee's economy diversified even more in the 20th century thanks to significant developments in the fields of biomedical and technological research.
Nowadays, the city is undergoing a period of regeneration, with lots of investment being pumped into cultural projects like V&A Dundee.
Last week, Peter explained why Brits should visit Salford - tiny cultural powerhouse on the outskirts of Greater Manchester.
And we've recently revealed our favourite spots for a September break.
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