Explore Dundee - the City of Discovery - on this walk that takes in the major attractions of the city centre before crossing town to climb up Dundee Law for its sensational views.
Mostly roads and pavements with some steep ascent. Woodland paths and many steps on the descent.
Bus or train to Dundee.
Car park at Discovery Point, Dundee (or rail station).
The walk begins from Discovery Point in Dundee, the home of HMS Discovery, the ship that carried Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton to the Antarctic in 1902. There is a car park (charge) adjacent, and the railway station is just across the road. The ship and visitor centre are open to the public, making for a fascinating attraction for anyone with the slightest interest in polar exploration. Next to the ship is the new V&A museum, housed in a striking modern building by Kengo Kuma (he says inspired by a Walkhighlands' route photo!). The walk begins by heading across the pedestrian crossing over the busy road, heading along the pavement past the front of the Sleeperz hotel and the railway station. When another busy junction is reached, use the crossings to turn right, passing along the right side of the Malmaison Hotel. Take the next left to head up Crichton Street, next to the Bird and Bear pub.
Continue ahead along Crichton Street until it reaches the High Street opposite the Overgate Shopping Centre. Here turn very briefly to the right, then immediately left again onto Reform Street opposite Dundee's central square - but look out for the 8 foot bronze statue of Desperate Dan. The famous cow-pie eating cartoon character from the Dandy, which was produced by DC Thompson in Dundee, is about to get hit by a catapult from Minnie the Minx. Head up Reform Street, ignoring a turn off on the left, to reach the next Dundee landmarks.
On the right side of the road the magnificent Gothic revival building is the McManus - Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum. Its fine collections are now open to the public once again following a major refurbishment. Opposite the McManus, the imposing sandstone block is the offices of DC Thomson, the publishing company responsible for both the Beano and the Dandy comics as well as several newspapers. Cross the road ahead and turn left along the far side of the DC Thompson building, along Euclid Crescent. Keep left again onto Euclid St to reach a t-junction with Constitution Road opposite a church. Turn right here, passing a striking modern building which houses part of the University of Abertay.
Near the end of the road bear left (by the multi-storey car park) to pass down into an underpass beneath the busy road ahead. On the far side bear slightly right up steps to regain the next section of Constitution Road, and follow this as it climbs steeply uphill. Keep straight on at several junctions, climbing up onto Upper Constitution Street, and eventually meeting a t-junction with a church ahead (don't worry about the signs indicating no through road - that applies only to vehicles). At the top turn right onto Kinghorne Road, and then left onto Law Road, and left again, signed for 'The Law'. After passing some allotments, fork right up a flight of steps onto a path. Follow this uphill slowly at first, keeping straight ahead when it crosses another path to head up towards the monument on the top of the Law.
The impressive monument is a memorial to those from Dundee who died in the two World Wars and is visible from many parts of the city. As might be expected, therefore, the views are sensational, over the whole of Dundee, up and down the mighty River Tay, and inland towards the Sidlaw Hills. The Law is actually the remnant cone of a volcano, and has had a long history; it is thought it was a religious or ritual site 3,500 years ago. Leave the Law on the opposite site from where you arrived, descending the steps from an iron bench. Go straight across a tarmac road and continue down more steps until a path junction just above the allotments. Here turn left alongside the fence, with trees on your left and great views on the right.
At another path junction turn right downhill between two stone walls. Go straight across another road and continue ahead down a series of steep alleyways and finally a road to reach gates giving access to Dudhope Park. Head down the steps into the park and then continue in the original direction, bearing slightly left to pass the skateboard area on its left side. Keep ahead all the time, down more steps which lead to the left and then exit the park via a gate onto Lochee Road.
Cross the road carefully - it can be very busy - and head down Smellies Lane opposite (to the right of Magnet). Now keep ahead along Henderson's Wynd through an area which was once home to many of Dundee's textile mills - Jute, together with Journalism (DC Thompson), and Jam were once Dundee's main industries. On the left side is the Verdant Works, a superb industrial museum; joint tickets are available for this together with HMS Discovery. Continue past the former factory to reach a t-junction and turn left onto Guthrie Street. Continue along this, using the pedestrian crossing to cross West Marketgait and continue onto Ward Road.
Take the second right onto Barrack Street. On the left side here is the Howff Graveyard - the gardens of the Grey Friars Monastery which was destroyed in 1547. Continue straight ahead, going through the doors into the covered Overgate shopping centre. Keep straight on through this and emerge back outside next to St Mary's Church. Pass to the left of this - noting the little bronze penguins along the wall which help point the way back towards Discovery Point. Cross Nethergate and head down Union Street opposite. This emerges onto the complex of major roads and car parks near Discovery Point. Generally keep straight ahead across a series of pedestrian crossings to return to the start.
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