Travel: 48 hours in Dundee

ROBIN McKelvie spends a weekend in Dundee and enjoys the city's RSS Discovery and fine dining at Castlehill restaurant
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jan 2016, 17:05 BST
Updated 11th Jan 2016, 17:11 BST

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The RSS Discovery seen through a window at Malmaison DundeeThe RSS Discovery seen through a window at Malmaison Dundee
The RSS Discovery seen through a window at Malmaison Dundee

Friday, midday

Check into the Apex Hotel (doubles from £80, www.apexhotels.co.uk), which enjoys a prime spot in the city’s old docklands. Book an upper floor room to enjoy views of Scotland’s most rapidly changing city.

1:30pm

Statue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian RutherfordStatue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Statue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The recently opened Malmaison (www.malmaison.com) is housed in a grandly historic central building and sports a bright, modern brasserie, with great value set menu lunches.

3:30pm

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Until the much-anticipated V&A opens in 2018 the RSS Discovery (www.rssdiscovery.com) remains the city’s main tourist attraction. The vessel Captain Scott sailed on during his first visit to Antarctica is now a beguiling floating museum.

8pm

Statue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian RutherfordStatue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Statue of Desperate Dan in City Square, Dundee. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Castlehill (www.castlehillrestaurant.co.uk) was a breath of fresh air when it opened in 2014. Mercurial young chef Adam Newth has moved on, but the culinary creation continues under Graham Campbell and the décor is still as striking.

10pm

Dundee boasts a sweep of characterful pubs. The Speedwell (http://speedwell-bar.co.uk) is an Edwardian bar with an atmosphere that theme pubs just cannot replicate.

Saturday, 9am

Dundee overflows with culture. Choose from the McManus (www.mcmanus.co.uk) art gallery and museum, award-winning Verdant Works (www.verdantworks.com) or the avant garde Dundee Contemporary Arts (www.dca.org.uk).

1:30pm

Nip out to Broughty Ferry for a blast of sea air and dine at the Tayberry (www.tayberryrestaurant.com), the new venture by Adam Newth.

3pm

Enjoy a bracing stroll along the beach at Broughty Ferry or head back into town to enjoy retail therapy in the pedestrian-friendly city centre.

8pm

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Dine in at Metro at the Apex. If you want to go local you’ll find the likes of Arbroath Smokie pâté and Angus raspberries on the menu.

Sunday, 9am

Take it easy on your last morning at the award-winning Yu Spa at the Apex. As well as a wide range of health and beauty treatments there are hot tubs, saunas and a pool.

• Virgin East Coast (www.virgintrainseastcoast.com) offer return train services from Edinburgh to Dundee, starting from around £20; www.visitscotland.com

Related topics:DundeeScotland