The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on the east coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland.

Founded in 1881 the institution was, for most of its early existence, a constituent college of the University of St Andrews alongside United College and St Mary's College located in the town of St Andrews itself. Following significant expansion, the University of Dundee became an independent body in 1967 whilst retaining much of its ancient heritage and governance structure. Since its independence, the university has grown to become an internationally recognised centre for research.

The main campus of the university is located in Dundee's West End, which also contains the university's affiliated Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and the Dundee Dental Hospital and School. The university also has additional facilities at Ninewells Hospital – containing its School of Medicine, Perth Royal Infirmary – which houses a clinical research centre, and in Kirkcaldy, Fife – containing part of its school of Nursing and Midwifery. Dundee has developed a significant reputation for students entering the traditional professions most notably law, medicine and dentistry as well as emerging areas such as life sciences and art.

History[link]

Foundation[link]

Ellenbank: the former Students' Union and one of the longest-used buildings of the university.

The University of Dundee has its roots in the earlier University college based in Dundee and the University of St Andrews.

During the 19th century, the growing population of Dundee significantly increased demand for the establishment of an institution of higher education in the city and several organisations were established to promote this end, including a University Club in the city. At the same time, the University of St Andrews was, as were the other universities in Scotland at the time, suffering from significant financial problems.^{[citation needed]} Moreover, St Andrews' position, isolation and small size (160 students as opposed to the University of Aberdeen, with a roll of around 700) contributed to a significant decline. In a submission to a Royal Commission established to investigate the problems at St Andrews, Professor Heddle, a lecturer in chemistry, observed that

There was a significant movement with the intention of moving the entire university to Dundee (which the Royal Commission observed was now a "large and increasing town") or the establishment of a college along very similar lines to the present United College. Finally, agreement was reached that what was needed was expansion of the sciences and professions, rather than the arts at St Andrews.^{[citation needed]}

In the early 1870s, construction began on the North British Railway's Tay Bridge which cut journey times between Dundee and St Andrews enormously and allowed for a third option between the status quo and complete movement: the creation of what was foreseen as a "University of Dundee and St Andrews", situated between two campuses, each with their own particular specialities.

A donation of £120,000 for the creation of an institution of higher education in Dundee was made by Miss Mary Ann Baxter of Balgavies, a notable lady of the city and heir to the fortune of William Baxter of Balgavies. In this endeavour, she was assisted by her relative, Dr John Boyd Baxter, an alumnus of St Andrews and Procurator Fiscal of Forfarshire who also contributed nearly £20,000. In order to craft the institution and its principles, it was to be established first as an independent university college, with a view from its very inception towards incorporation into the University of St Andrews.

In 1881 the ideals of the proposed new college were laid down, suggesting the establishment of an institute for "promoting the education of persons of both sexes and the study of Science, Literature and the Fine Arts".^[3][4] No religious oaths were to be required of members. Later that year, "University College, Dundee" was established as an academic institution and the first principal, William Peterson, was elected in late 1882. When opened in 1883, it comprised five faculties: Maths and Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Engineering and Drawing, English Language and Literature and Modern History, and Philosophy. The University College had no power to award degrees and for some years students were prepared for external examinations of the University of London.

Incorporation into the University of St Andrews[link]

The Harris Building on the Geddes Quadrangle

Following several aborted attempts at various forms of incorporation and association, in 1890 the college began to establish closer links with the University of St Andrews, a process which was completed in 1897 when University College became part of the University of St Andrews. This move was of notable benefit to both, enabling the University of St Andrews (which was in a small burgh) to support a medical school. Medical students could choose to undertake preclinical studies either in Dundee or St Andrews (at the Bute Medical School) after which all students would undertake their clinical studies at Dundee. Eventually, law, dentistry and other professional subjects were taught at University College. By 1904 University College had a roll of 208, making up 40 per cent of the roll of the University generally. By session 1909-10 234 students were studying at University College, 101 of whom were female. Among the notable students at this time were Robert Watson-Watt, the radar pioneer, and David Rutherford Dow who would go on to be a senior member of staff at the college.^[5]

University College's development in the early twentieth century has been described as "slow and fitful" and the interwar period saw virtually no new building projects, leaving large parts of the college housed in buildings which were not fit for putpose.^[6] Attempts were made to raise income. In 1923 Rudyard Kipling, then the Rector of the University of St Andrews, visited University College and asked the merchant princes and leading citizens of Dundee to give the College their money and support. Kipling implored those who had lost their sons in the Great War to consider giving a donation so that their names would live on.^[7] Staff of a high calibre continued to be employed by the University including Professor Alexander Peacock and Margaret Fairlie, who in 1940 was appointed as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and thus became the first woman to hold a professorial chair at a university in Scotland.^[6][8]

In 1947, the Principal of University College, Douglas Wimberley released the "Wimberley Memo" (resulting in the Cooper and Tedder reports of 1952), advocating independence for the College. In 1954, after a Royal Commission, University College was renamed "Queen's College" and the Dundee-based elements of the University gained a greater degree of independence and flexibility. It was also at this time that Queen's College absorbed the former Dundee School of Economics.

Creation of the University of Dundee[link]

The publication of the Robbins Report on Higher Education in 1963, which considered the question of university education expansion throughout the country, provided impetus to the movement to attain independent university status for Dundee. At this time, a number of new institutions were being elevated to this status, such as the University of Stirling, and second universities were created in Edinburgh and Glasgow (Heriot-Watt University and the University of Strathclyde) despite their having fewer than 2,000 students. Queen's College's size and location, alongside a willingness to expand, led to an eventual decision to separate from the wider University of which it remained an integral part. In 1966, St Andrews University Court and the Council of Queen's College submitted a joint petition to the Privy Council seeking the grant of a Royal Charter to establish the University of Dundee. This petition was approved and the Charter^[9] was granted which saw Queen's College become the University of Dundee, on 1 August 1967. The university continued a number of the traditions of its successor college and university and continues to be organised under the ancient university governance structure.

Modern developments[link]

Extension to the main library of the university, early 2008.

The University of Dundee has grown considerably since securing independent university status. The teaching of medicine, dentistry, law, nursing, social work and accountancy flourished, and a new Faculty of Letters (later renamed the Faculty of Arts) was developed. Dundee is the only university in the UK to offer an LLB in both English law and Scottish Law and to allow law students to dual qualify.

In 1974 the University began to validate some degrees from Dundee's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, and by 1988 all degrees from that institution were being validated in this fashion. In 1994 the two institutions merged, with the college becoming a constituent faculty of the university. In 1996, the Tayside College of Nursing and the Fife College of Health studies became part of the university, as a school of Nursing and Midwifery. For several years, Dundee College of Education prepared students for degree examinations at the University of Dundee, and in December 2001 the university merged with the Dundee campus of Northern College to create a Faculty of Education and Social Work.

In October 2005, the university became home to the first UNESCO centre in the United Kingdom. The IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science is involved in research regarding the management of the world's water resources on behalf of the United Nations.

The 2000s brought extensive renovation to the university's central campus, culminating in a number of new and upgraded buildings being introduced around 2007 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the university's independence. Large extensions have been placed on the Main Library and sports centre, and a number of new halls of residence (Heathfield, Belmont, West Park and Seabraes) have been gradually phased into operation. The Dalhousie building was erected during this period as dedicated teaching accommodation for the University, in part replacing space previously at the Gardyne Road campus of Northern College, which has now been taken up by Dundee College. Significant improvement works have taken place in old buildings such as the Old Technical Institute, Medical Sciences Institute and Old Medical School buildings.^{[citation needed]}

Reputation[link]

The University of Dundee graduates more students into the professions (such as law, accountancy, medicine and dentistry) than any other Scottish university.^[10] The Guardian newspaper named the university's medical school and dental school the best in the United Kingdom in 2008 and 2009.^[11][12] In recent years, its molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics departments have grown to become the most influential in Britain,^[13][14] recently being awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for drug discovery and development. The university's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is ranked among the top three art schools in the UK.^[15]

The university has been awarded a number of accolades: it was The Times Good University Guide's "Scottish University of the Year" in 2004/05. In 2005 The Times Higher Education Supplement rated the university as first in the UK for teaching quality. The Times also commended a number of Dundee's departments as amongst the top ten in the UK. The Scientist magazine declared the university the best place to work in Europe in 2004, 2005, and 2010.^[14]

Former Dundee Chancellor Sir James Black, who had studied Medicine at the then University College, won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work on the discovery of propranolol- a widely used beta-blocker which broke new ground in the treatment of hypertension.

Governance and organisation[link]

The University of Dundee is organised under the provisions of its Royal Charter, which granted the university its independence in 1967.^[9] The University of Dundee, uniquely outside of the four ancient universities of Scotland has a governance framework which shares a number of similarities with the ancient governance structure which was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries through the various Universities (Scotland) Acts.

Chancellor[link]

Plaque celebrating Dundee's relationship with the University of St Andrews.

The Chancellor is the head of the university and President of the Graduates' Council, with a role of presiding over Academic Ceremonies such as graduations.^[32] The four Chancellors of the university to have held office since its independence are:

• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1967–1977)
• The Earl of Dalhousie (1977–1992)
• Sir James W. Black OM (1992–2006)
• Lord Patel of Dunkeld, KT (2006–Present)^[33]

Rector[link]

The Rector of the University is an official elected by the matriculated students of the university for a three year term.^[34] In common with other university rectors in Scotland, the position is largely ceremonial, although it does involve the representation of students on the University Court. The Rector at Dundee, unlike that of the ancient universities, does not chair the University Court, that duty instead falling to a lay member.^[35] The Rector may appoint an Assessor who can carry out the Rector's functions on his behalf when he is absent.

In February 2010, Brian Cox CBE, a Dundee born actor, was elected as the next Rector of the university. He replaced Craig Murray, a graduate of Dundee, former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan and twice President of Dundee University Students' Association.

Previous Rectors since the university's independence have included Sir Peter Ustinov, Sir Clement Freud and Stephen Fry, who each served two terms, and Tony Slattery and Fred MacAulay, who each served one.^[36][37]

Principal and Vice-Chancellor[link]

The Principal and Vice-Chancellor is the chief academic and administrative officer of the university, presiding over the Senatus Academicus.^[38] As a result of his title as Vice-Chancellor, the Principal can fulfil the duties of the Chancellor in his absence. Prior to the university's independence and its union with the University of St Andrews, a similar function was carried out by the Master of Queen's College.

Following the retirement of Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands in March 2009, the university appointed Professor Peter Downes to the post.^[39][40] Former holders of this position are:

Principals of University College

• William Peterson (1882–1895)
• John Yule Mackay (1895–1930)
• Sir James Irvine (1930–1939) - 'Interim' appointment^[41][42]
• Angus Robertson Fulton (1939–1946) - 'Interim' appointment^[41][42]
• Douglas Wimberley (1946–1954)

Masters of Queen's College, Dundee

• David Rutherford Dow (1954–1958)
• Arthur Alexander Matheson (1958–1966)
• James Drever (1966–1967)

Principals of the University of Dundee

• James Drever (1967–1978)
• Adam Neville (1978–1987)^[41]
• Michael Hamlin (1987–1994)^[41]
• Ian James Graham-Bryce (1994–2000)
• Sir Alan Langlands (2000–2009)^[41][43]
• Pete Downes (2009-)^[40]

Divisions of the University[link]

The university is organised into four colleges, each containing a number of schools. The head of each college has the position of a Vice-Principal of the university, and individual schools are formally headed by a Dean. The following is a full list of the academic divisions of the university:

The Scrymgeour Building, which houses the School of Law, the Law library and the Department of Psychology

The College of Art, Science & Engineering, containing the Schools of:

• Computing
• Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
• Engineering Physics & Mathematics

The College of Arts and Social Sciences, containing the Schools of:

• Business
• Education, Social Work and Community Education
• Humanities
• Law
• Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management
  • Containing the Dundee UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, the Centre for Energy, Petroleum & Mineral Law & Policy, and the Enterprise Gym
• Psychology
• School of the Environment

The College of Life Sciences, containing the Schools of:

• Life Sciences Research
• Life Sciences Teaching

The College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, containing the Schools of:

• Dentistry
• Medicine
• Nursing & Midwifery

Students[link]

Students at Dundee are represented by the University's Students' Representative Council and the Rector in common with other universities in Scotland sharing the ancient organisational structure.

Dundee University Students' Association[link]

The Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA), unlike many other students' unions in the United Kingdom, is not affiliated to the National Union of Students, mainly due to cost concerns and political objections. It is instead affiliated to the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland (CHESS) and the National Postgraduate Committee. Membership of the Students' Association is automatic for all students of the university, although it is possible under statutes to renounce this membership at any time. The Association, as with its neighbours in the other ancient-organised universities in Scotland, is co-existent with the University's Students' Representative Council.

The DUSA building is located in Airlie Place, in the centre of the University's Main Campus and caters as a private members' club offering bar, nightclub and refectory services for students. DUSA also provides a number of other typical students' union services such as advocacy on behalf of its membership and assistance to individual students.

Dundee University Sports Union and sports facilities[link]

The Dundee University Sports Union is a body, like the Students' Union, of which all matriculated students of the university are automatically a member. It elects its own executive committee, although is linked with the Students' Union through the Students' Representative Council. The Sports Union is affiliated with the British University Colleges Sport.

As of early 2007, there are 45 clubs affiliated with the Sports' Union. There is an annual award ceremony for the sports clubs, and a Blues & Colours Ball (see Blue (university sport)) to provide social interaction between the clubs. A popular but informal event is sports clubs joining together on Wednesday night to attend the Students' Union, enabled by the university ending most classes early on a Wednesday afternoon to allow for sports participation - which is particularly appropriate in winter when the sun can set in the mid-afternoon due to Dundee's northerly location.

The Institute of Sport and Exercise, unlike the Sports Union, is directly controlled by the university, but works closely with the students' organisations. Its chief building is located on Old Hawkhill in the main campus, which contains the main indoor sporting facilities and the university's gym.

Following a multi-million pound refurbishment, the resources and amenities now available at the Institute of Sport & Exercise (ISE) include a 'state-of-the-art' gym with the latest download technology (the first gym in the UK with mp3/mp4 compatible personal viewing screens).

Outdoor facilities are mainly based in the Riverside Sporting Ground, within a reasonable walking distance and bordering the Tay, although there are others - such as tennis courts - spread throughout the main campus. The ISE's 25m swimming pool is located within the Students' Association building on Airlie Place.

The University has been included within the official London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, opening up Dundee as a potential training venue for athletes preparing for the Olympics.

Notable sporting achievements of the University include winning the British University Gaelic football Championship in 1994 and being the first team in Scottish rugby history to win the league and SUS Cup double in the 2007/08 season.

Chaplaincy[link]

The University Chaplaincy Centre was constructed in 1974 and extended in 1987 and houses both the University Chapel and a number of other related social facilities. The chapel is often used for concerts.

The university has a full time chaplain, presently the Revd Dr Fiona Douglas (since 1997) who is a minister of the Church of Scotland. There are also several part-time associate and honorary chaplains representing other faiths and denominations.

Notable alumni[link]

This list includes certain persons who are graduates of the University of St Andrews, having studied at the University College or Queen's College in Dundee, as well as graduates of the University of Dundee. This is a result of the incorporation of this institution in the other prior to 1967. It also includes notable former members of staff of these institutions.

Business[link]

• Sir Robert Horton - Former Chairman of BP and Railtrack.
• Sir George Mathewson – Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (2001–2006); Convenor of the Scottish Council of Economic Advisers (2007 -)
• Brian Souter - Founder of the Stagecoach Group.

Entertainment, media and the arts[link]

• Naetochukwu Chikwe (Naeto-C) - Nigerian musician.
• David Jackson – Musician, best known for his involvement in Van der Graaf Generator.
• Alan Johnston - BBC correspondent based in Gaza, famously kidnapped in 2007.
• Gary Lightbody – Lead singer of Snow Patrol.
• Fred McAuley – Comedian and former Rector of the University.
• Karine Polwart - Scottish folk musician.
• Carla Romano - GMTV reporter
• John Suchet - Five News anchor, formerly of ITN.

Law and politics[link]

• Malcolm Bruce - Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament, Rector of the University (1986–89).
• Christopher Chope OBE - Conservative MP, former Minister of State and barrister.
• Dr Lynda Clark, Baroness Clark of Calton - Senator of the College of Justice, first Advocate General for Scotland.
• Frank Doran – Labour MP.
• Donald Findlay QC - Notable advocate and political figure.
• Bruce Millan – Labour MP.
• Lewis Moonie, Baron Moonie - Labour politician, former Minister of State.
• Craig Murray – Controversial former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan, former President of DUSA, former Rector of the University.
• Alex Neil - Scottish National Party MSP.
• George Robertson KT, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen - former Secretary-General of NATO, Labour MP and UK Secretary of State for Defence.
• Alan Turnbull, Baron Turnbull - Senator of the College of Justice, former Principal Advocate Depute (senior Crown prosecutor).
• Brian Wilson - Former Labour MP and Minister of State.
• John Stevenson - Conservative MP and solicitor.

Science[link]

• Sir James W. Black - Notable pharmacologist. Nobel Laureate.
• Dr Richard A Collins - Scientist and author
• Sir James Alfred Ewing – Engineer and physicist.
• Sir Patrick Geddes- Biologist, botanist and urban planning theorist.
• Narendra Patel, Baron Patel of Dunkeld – Notable obstetrician, present Chancellor of the University.
• Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt – Pioneer of Radar.

Miscellaneous[link]

• Kate McCann, mother of missing British toddler Madeline McCann
• David Shayler - Security Service officer who revealed state secrets to the public, editor of Annasach magazine while at the university.
• Bishop Cornelius Sim - Roman Catholic Bishop of the church's Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam since the vicariate was established in 1997.

The University within the City[link]

Magdalen Green, a symbol of Dundee's West End

The University is largely based within the West End of the City of Dundee, which has been subject to a large degree of studentification and an expansion of both the university and the city centre to meet.^{[citation needed]}

Traditions[link]

Dundee students participate in a number of traditional events during the academic calendar. Towards the start of the year, a standard British Freshers' Week is organised, with a secondary one held when the University reconvenes after the Christmas vacation.

Traditions remaining from Dundee's days as a college of the University of St Andrews include the Gaudie Night (taking its name from the first line of the students' anthem, De Brevitate Vitae) - held early in the first semester and organised both as a Students' Union night and an event organised by the individual schools (for example by the Life Sciences, Medical, Law and Dentistry Societies) where students are assigned academic "parents" from the senior years. Some weeks later, a Raisin (alternatively spelled "Raisen") weekend is held to all new students to repay their academic parents' hospitality. Generally the school society run events are more traditional in nature than the Students' Union event.

Since 2004, the University has organised the Discovery Days series of public lectures hosted by University and visiting academics and persons of note, providing introductions into a number of major fields of work taking place at Dundee.

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design[link]

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is a school of the university, formerly independent but now fully integrated within the College of Art, Science & Engineering. It is named after James Duncan of Jordanstone, a major benefactor to the College in 1909. Prior to its independence and incorporation into the university, it existed as part of the former Dundee Institute of Art and Technology.

DoJ College ranks amongst the top three art schools in the United Kingdom,^[15] having been the largest of them all during its period of independent operation. It is presently situated mainly in a purpose-built facility on Perth Road, on the southern tip of the University of Dundee's main campus, which was constructed in the 1950s.

Residences[link]

The University has a number of student residences spaced around the city. There is at present an attempt to move some of these halls of residence closer to the main campus. With the closure and re-building of West Park Hall in 2005, all of the halls are now self catered and, bar Tay Mills, ensuite.

At present, there exist the following university residences:

• Belmont Hall (including Balfour Flats) - Based in the main campus and consisting of three main sections: Belmont Tower, a 1950s construction; the Balfour Flats, a long and low building connected to the tower, and; the new halls of residence, completed in 2006.
• Belmont Flats - Built in 2007, these halls are of a similar style to those of Heathfield and the new Seabraes halls. It is located on Old Hawkhill, across from the ISE.
• Heathfield - A new (2006) hall of residence. Major construction work finished in December 2006. All students who were accepted to it for the 2006/2007 session have since moved in. It is located on Old Hawkhill, immediately across from Belmont Hall.
• Seabraes - A number of buildings containing flats, with a new hall identical in style to the new Heathfield and Belmont Halls being built at the foot of the complex. Located near to the south side of the main campus on Roseangle.
• West Park - Located some distance to the west of the main campus, these halls were traditionally popular with medicine students due to their proximity to Ninewells Hospital. Consists of a relatively new complex known as West Park Villas, which are essentially student flats. The old hall (separate from the Villas) was largely torn-down in 2005 (leaving behind only the listed parts of the building) and the new complex (generally known as 'West Park Flats' by the University) will be available from the start of the 2007/08 term.

Some older halls, despite remaining open in the interim until building works were finished, are now out of use - the last students moved out in early 2007. These are:

• Airlie Place & Springfield - A number of flats located in old terrace housing on the main campus, consisting of two streets mainly owned by the University. Both are architecturally noteworthy and are to have other functions assigned to them in due course.
• Peterson Hall - An almost brutalist style building to be found further down Roseangle from Seabraes. This hall was traditionally a non-smoking hall of residence, and is now ear-marked for private development.
• Wimberley Houses - The furthest university residences from the main campus, Wimberley - also the closest to Ninewells Hospital in the far west of the city. The residences themselves were a complex of buildings, each comprising a "house" which served as an independent flat for a number of students.

Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The centre researches new approaches in the field of gene expression and chromosome biology. Previousl y part of the Dundee Biocentre and receiving significant Wellcome Trust funding from 1995 onwards, it was awarded Wellcome Trust Centre status in 2008. Professor Angus Lamond is the Centre’s Director. The Centre aims to enhance our understanding of how genes are regulated at both the single cell and whole organism level. Researchers use a wide range of advanced techniques, including live cell fluorescent imaging and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, to explore the functions of key proteins and molecular mechanisms in cell biology.

Live cell imaging and proteomic studies have allowed researchers at the Centre to gain fresh understanding of protein function and cell behaviour. The Centre is studying many aspects of the cell cycle, including the way in which chromosomes replicate and separate during cell division and how DNA damage is detected. Failure of these events can lead to major faults within a genome, potentially leading to the rise of cancerous cells. The Centre is also investigating how DNA is tightly wound and compacted so that it can fit into the nuclei of eukaryotic cells, as well as the protein-DNA complexes that are involved in this packaging. The controlled unravelling of DNA is an important step in the regulation of gene function.

Historic collections[link]

Museum Services[link]

Like many universities, Dundee has significant museum collections acquired over the 125 years of its history. These include fine art, design furniture, textiles, scientific instruments, medical equipment and natural history specimens. Among the highlights are:

• a significant collection of Scottish fine art from the 17th century up to today, displayed throughout the campus as well as in temporary exhibitions in the Tower Foyer and Lamb Galleries
• the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, featuring specimens, models and other teaching and research aids collected by the author of On Growth & Form
• the Tayside Medical History Museum, one of the best medical collections in Scotland, based at Ninewells Hospital
• the Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection, featuring works by former students and staff of the art college

The collections are cared for by Museum Services, which are part of the University's Archive, Records Management and Museum Services Department. In 2012 it was announced that Museum Services had been awarded a grant of £100,000 by the Art Fund to devlop an art collection inspired by D'Arcy Thompson.^[44][45]

Archive Services[link]

The University's Archive Services, maintains the University of Dundee's manuscripts and records collections. The archives hold a wide range of material relating to the University and its predecessor institutions and to individuals associated with the University. Archive Services also hold a number of records relating to individuals, businesses and organizations based in the Tayside area.^[46] The records held include a substantial number of business archives relating to the jute and linen industry in Dundee and West Bengal, records of other businesses including the archives of the Alliance Trust and the department store G. L. Wilson, the records of the Brechin Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Michael Peto photographic collection and the NHS Tayside Archive.^[47][48] In addition to material relating to the local area, the archives have a number of documents relating to other countries, especially India.^[49]

See also[link]

• Cyclacel – Spin-off pharmaceutical company from the university
• Dundee Cell Products - Spin-off biotechnology company from the university
• University of Dundee Botanic Garden – University gardens in the West End of the city.

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)

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3. ^ Deed of Endowment
4. ^ "Scotland in the 19th century: Section 5.9: Universities [ebook chapter] / J A Haythornthwaite, 1993". Gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk. http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/haynin/haynin0509.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 
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6. ^ ^{a b} Baxter, Kenneth, Rolf, Mervyn, and Swinfen, David (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 10. 
7. ^ "J M Barrie and Rudyard Kipling". Archives, Records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. University of Dundee. http://www.archives-records-artefacts.com/2011/03/j-m-barrie-and-rudyard-kipling.html. Retrieved 14 February 2012. 
8. ^ "Notable University Figures (3): Professor Margaret Fairlie". Archives, records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. http://www.archives-records-artefacts.com/2011/08/notable-university-figures-3-professor.html. Retrieved 10 October 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b} http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/calendar/court/pdf/charter.pdf
10. ^ "Facts & Figures". University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/general/quickfacts.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
11. ^ "Search". The Guardian (London). http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=true&FirstRow=&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=&Subject=Medicine&Institution=. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
12. ^ "Search". The Guardian (London). http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=false&FirstRow=0&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=GuardianTeachingScore&Subject=Dentistry&Go=Go. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
13. ^ Thomson Scientific, 2006
14. ^ ^{a b} "The University's Reputation - Prospective Students - The University of Dundee". Dundee.ac.uk. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/admissions/tada/reputation.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 
15. ^ ^{a b} "Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design - Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design - The University of Dundee". Dundee.ac.uk. 2012-01-20. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/design/. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Watson, Roland; Elliott, Francis; Foster, Patrick. "University Rankings League Table 2010 | Good University Guide – Times Online". London: Extras.timesonline.co.uk. http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php. Retrieved 2010-04-26. ^{[dead link]}
17. ^ Watson, Roland; Elliott, Francis; Foster, Patrick. "The Times Good University Guide 2008". The Times (London). http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gug/gooduniversityguide.php. Retrieved 2007-11-03. ^{[dead link]}
18. ^ Watson, Roland; Elliott, Francis; Foster, Patrick. "The Times Good University Guide 2007 – Top Universities 2007 League Table". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,102571,00.html. Retrieved 2007-11-03. ^{[dead link]}
19. ^ "The Times Top Universities". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,32607,00.html. Retrieved 2007-11-03. ^{[dead link]}
20. ^ "University guide 2010: University league table | Education". London: guardian.co.uk. 2009-05-12. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2009/may/12/university-league-table. Retrieved 2010-04-26. 
21. ^ ^{a b} "University ranking by institution". The Guardian (London). http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=&FirstRow=29&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=GuardianTeachingScore&Subject=University+ranking&Institution=. Retrieved 2007-10-29. 
22. ^ "University ranking by institution". The Guardian (London). http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education/2006?SearchBySubject=&FirstRow=20&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=GuardianTeachingScore&Subject=Institution-wide&Institution=. Retrieved 2007-10-29. 
23. ^ "University ranking by institution". The Guardian (London). http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2005/table/0,,-5163901,00.html?start=40&index=3&index=3. Retrieved 2007-10-29. 
24. ^ "The Sunday Times University League Table". The Sunday Times (London). http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php. Retrieved 2009-09-13. ^{[dead link]}
25. ^ ^{a b} "The Sunday Times University League Table". The Sunday Times (London). http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug/universityguide.php. Retrieved 2008-10-08. ^{[dead link]}
26. ^ "University ranking based on performance over 10 years" (PDF). London: Times Online. 2007. http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/univ07ten.pdf. Retrieved 2008-04-28. 
27. ^ "The Sunday Times University League Table" (PDF). The Sunday Times (London). http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/stug2006/stug2006.pdf. Retrieved 2007-11-03. 
28. ^ "The Complete University Guide 2011". Complete University Guide. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8726. 
29. ^ "The Complete University Guide 2010". Complete University Guide. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=8726. 
30. ^ "The Independent University League Table". The Independent (London). 2008-04-24. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/the-main-league-table-2009-813839.html. Retrieved 2010-05-27. 
31. ^ Archer, Graeme (2007-07-30). "University league table". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=HXFCSGXMNVABTQFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/news/2007/07/30/ncambs430.xml. Retrieved 2007-10-29. 
32. ^ Royal Charter, s.4.1
33. ^ "University of Dundee announces new Chancellor". University of Dundee, External Relations, Press Office. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/prfeb06/chancellor.html. Retrieved 2006-06-06. 
34. ^ Royal Charter s.5
35. ^ http://www.glasgowstudent.net/files/rectorintro.pdf
36. ^ Baxter, Kenneth, et al (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 61. 
37. ^ "Rectorial Elections". Archives, Records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. http://www.archives-records-artefacts.com/2010/02/rectorial-elections.html. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 
38. ^ Royal Charter, s.6.1(a)
39. ^ "University of Dundee : External Relations : Press Office". Dundee.ac.uk. 2009-03-26. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2009/prmar09/downes.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 
40. ^ ^{a b} "Professor Pete Downes - Principals Office - The University of Dundee". Dundee.ac.uk. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/principalsoffice/biographies/downes.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-28. 
41. ^ ^{a b c d e} Baxter, Kenneth, et al (2007). A Dundee Celebration. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 60. 
42. ^ ^{a b} Shafe, Michael (1982). University Education in Dundee: A Pictorial History. Dundee: University of Dundee. p. 201. 
43. ^ "New Principal welcomes freshers". Press Release Archive. University of Dundee. 29 September 2000. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/prsep00/freshers.htm. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
44. ^ "Museum Services wins £100,000 Art Fund Grant". E-ARMMS Newsletter 11. January 2012. University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/armms/e-armms11.htm#1. Retrieved 15 March 2012. 
45. ^ "D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum RENEW Project". University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/zoology/renew.htm. Retrieved 15 March 2012. 
46. ^ "University of Dundee Archives Services". University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives. Retrieved 2 June 2011. 
47. ^ "University of Dundee Archives Services the Collections". University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/archman.htm. Retrieved 2 June 2011. 
48. ^ "Business Archives". Archives, Records and Artefacts at the University of Dundee. http://www.archives-records-artefacts.com/2011/01/business-archives.html. Retrieved 9 June 2011. 
49. ^ "International Source List". University of Dundee. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/international.htm. Retrieved 9 April 2012. 

• Baxter, K., Rolf, M. & Swinfen, D. A Dundee Celebration (Dundee, University of Dundee), 2007. The most recent history of the University of Dundee which was produced to mark the fortieth anniversary of the University's founding.
• Shafe, M. University Education in Dundee 1881–1981: A Pictorial History (Dundee: University of Dundee), 1982.
• Southgate, D., University Education in Dundee: A Centenary History (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press), 1982.

External links[link]

• Official website
• University of Dundee from Go To Dundee
• MIT Institute of Design

v t e University of Dundee Governance Chancellor: The Lord Patel · Rector: Brian Cox  · Principal: Professor Peter Downes General Council · Court · Senate Departments Botanic Garden · Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy · Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design · School of Law · The Enterprise Gym Students Students' Association · East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron

v t e Universities in the United Kingdom England East Anglia Anglia Ruskin Bedfordshire Cambridge Cranfield East Anglia Essex Hertfordshire London University of London Birkbeck CSSD Courtauld Goldsmiths Heythrop ICR IoE King's LBS LSE LSHTM Queen Mary Royal Academy of Music Royal Holloway RVC St George's SOAS UCL Other Brunel City East London Greenwich Kingston Imperial London Met London South Bank Middlesex RCA RCM Roehampton UAL Westminster West London Midlands Aston Birmingham Birmingham City Coventry De Montfort Derby Keele Leicester Lincoln Loughborough Northampton Nottingham Nottingham Trent Staffordshire Warwick Wolverhampton Worcester North Bolton Bradford Central Lancashire Chester Cumbria Durham Edge Hill Huddersfield Hull Lancaster Leeds Leeds Metropolitan Liverpool Liverpool Hope Liverpool John Moores Manchester Manchester Metropolitan Newcastle Northumbria Salford Sheffield Sheffield Hallam Sunderland Teesside York York St. John South Bath Bath Spa Bournemouth Brighton Bristol Buckingham Buckinghamshire New Canterbury Christ Church Chichester Creative Arts Exeter Gloucestershire Kent Oxford Oxford Brookes Plymouth Portsmouth Reading Southampton Southampton Solent Surrey Sussex UWE Winchester Northern Ireland Queen's Ulster Scotland Aberdeen Abertay Dundee Dundee Edinburgh Edinburgh Napier Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian Heriot-Watt Highlands and Islands Queen Margaret Robert Gordon RCS St Andrews Stirling Strathclyde UWS Wales Aberystwyth Bangor Cardiff Cardiff Metropolitan Glamorgan Glyndŵr Newport Swansea Swansea Metropolitan UW Trinity Saint David Overseas territories University of the West Indies Bermuda College Cayman Islands Law School International College of the Cayman Islands St. Matthews University University College of the Cayman Islands University of Science, Arts and Technology American University of the Caribbean Saint James School of Medicine Non−geographic Lambeth degrees Open University University of London International Programmes Related List by size List by date of foundation (Third oldest in England) List by endowment Colleges within universities Degree abbreviations National Union of Students Rankings Undergraduate degree classification UCAS Category Commons List

Coordinates: 56°27′26″N 2°58′49″W / 56.45722°N 2.98028°W / 56.45722; -2.98028

Coordinates: 56°27′50″N 2°58′12″W / 56.464°N 2.970°W / 56.464; -2.970

Dundee
Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dè [1]
Scots: Dundee
City of Discovery
Top: Tay Rail Bridge, Middle: RRS Discovery and City Centre, Bottom left: Magdalen Yard Bandstand, Bottom right: University of Dundee.
Dundee  Dundee shown within Scotland
Area	26 sq mi (67 km2) [2]
Population	152,320 [3] (2008)
- Density	8,541.8 /sq mi (3,298.0 /km2)
Language	English, Scots
OS grid reference	NO4030
- Edinburgh	36.3 mi (58.4 km) SSW
- London	362.0 mi (582.6 km) SSE
Council area	Dundee
Lieutenancy area	Dundee
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DUNDEE
Postcode district	DD1–DD5
Dialling code	01382
Police
Fire
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Dundee East
	Dundee West
Scottish Parliament	Dundee City East
	Dundee City West
	Angus South
	North East Scotland
Website	www.dundeecity.gov.uk
List of places: UK • Scotland •

Dundee ⁱ/dʌnˈdiː/ (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dè) is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 38th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea. Under the name of Dundee City, it forms one of the 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland.

The town developed into a burgh in Medieval times, and expanded rapidly in the 19th century largely due to the jute industry. This, along with its other major industries gave Dundee its epithet as the city of "jute, jam and journalism".

In mid-2008, the population of the City of Dundee was estimated to be 152,320. Dundee's recorded population reached a peak of 182,204 at the time of the 1971 census, but has since declined.

Today, Dundee is promoted as 'One City, Many Discoveries' in honour of Dundee's history of scientific activities and of the RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel, which was built in Dundee and is now berthed in the city harbour. Biomedical and technological industries have arrived since the 1980s, and the city now accounts for 10% of the United Kingdom's digital-entertainment industry. Dundee has two universities—the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay Dundee. A £1,000,000,000 master plan to regenerate and to reconnect the Waterfront to the city centre which started in 2001 is expected to be completed within a 30 year period, with the Dundee Victoria & Albert Museum opening within 5.

History[link]

The name "Dundee" is made up of two parts: the common Celtic place-name element dun, meaning fort; and a second part that may derive from a Celtic element, cognate with the Gaelic dè, meaning 'fire'.^[4]

While earlier evidence for human occupation is abundant,^[5] the source of Dundee's success and growth as a seaport town arguably came as a result of William the Lion's charter, granting Dundee to his younger brother, David (later Earl of Huntingdon) in the late 12th century.^[6] The situation of the town and its promotion by Earl David as a trading centre, led to a period of prosperity and growth.^[7] The earldom was passed down to David's descendants amongst whom was John Balliol, the town becoming a Royal Burgh on the coronation of John as king in 1292.^[8] The town and its castle were occupied by English forces for several years during the First War of Independence and recaptured by Robert the Bruce in early 1312.^[9] The original Burghal charters were lost during the occupation and subsequently renewed by Bruce in 1327.^[10]

The burgh suffered considerably during the conflict known as the Rough Wooing of 1543 to 1550, and was occupied by the English forces of Andrew Dudley from 1547. In 1548, unable to defend the town against an advancing Scottish force, Dudley ordered that the town be burnt to the ground.^[11] In 1645, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Dundee was again besieged, this time by the Royalist Marquess of Montrose.^[12] The town was finally destroyed by Parliamentarian forces, led by George Monck in 1651.^[13] The town played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Jacobite cause when John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee raised the Stuart standard on the Dundee Law in 1689.^[14]

The economy of mediaeval Dundee centred on the export of raw wool, with the production of finished textiles being a reaction to recession in the 15th century.^[15] The introduction of two government acts in the mid eighteenth century had a profound effect on Dundee's industrial success. The textile industry was revolutionised by the introduction of large four-storey mills, stimulated in part by the 1742 Bounty Act which provided a government-funded subsidy on Osnaburg linen produced for export.^[16] Expansion of the whaling industry was triggered by the second Bounty Act, introduced in 1750 to increase Britain's maritime and naval skillbase.^[17] Dundee, and Scotland more generally, saw rapid population increase at end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, with the city's population increasing from 12,400 in 1751 to 30,500 in 1821.^[18]

The phasing out of the linen export bounty between 1825 and 1832 stimulated demand for cheaper textiles, particularly for the production of cheaper, tough fabrics.^[19] The discovery that the dry fibres of jute could be lubricated with whale oil (of which Dundee had a surfeit, following the opening of its gasworks) to allow it to be processed in mechanised mills resulted the Dundee mills rapidly converting from linen to jute, which sold at a quarter of the price of flax.^[20] Interruption of Prussian flax imports during the Crimean War and of cotton during the American Civil War resulted in a period of inflated prosperity for Dundee and the jute industry dominated Dundee throughout the latter half of the 19th century.^[21] Unprecedented immigration, notably of Irish workers, led to accelerated urban expansion, and at the height of the industry's success, Dundee supported 62 jute mills, employing some 50,000 workers.^[22]

The rise of the textile industries brought with it an expansion of supporting industries, notably of the whaling, maritime and shipbuilding industries,^[23] and extensive development of the waterfront area started in 1815 to cope with increased demand on port capacity.^[24] At its height, 200 ships per year were built there, including Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic research vessel, the RRS Discovery. This ship is now on display at Discovery Point in the city.^[25] A significant whaling industry was also based in Dundee, largely existing to supply the jute mills with whale oil. Whaling ceased in 1912 and shipbuilding ceased in 1981.^[26]

The original Tay Bridge (from the south) the day after the disaster. The collapsed section can be seen near the northern end

While the city's economy was dominated by the Jute industry, it also became known for smaller industries. Most notable among these were James Keiller's and sons, established in 1795, which pioneered commercial marmalade production,^[27] and the publishing firm DC Thomson & Co., which was founded in the city in 1905 and remains the largest employer after the health and leisure industries.^[28] Dundee was said to be built on the 'three Js': Jute, Jam and Journalism.

The town was also the location of one of the worst rail disasters in British history, the Tay Bridge disaster. The first Tay rail bridge was opened in 1879. It collapsed less than a year later during a storm, as a passenger train passed over it, resulting in the loss of 75 lives.^[29] The most destructive fire in the city's history came in 1906, reportedly sending "rivers of burning whiskey" through the street.

The jute industry fell into decline in the early 20th century, partly due to reduced demand for jute products and partly due to an inability to compete with the emerging industry in Calcutta.^[30] This gave rise to unemployment levels far in excess of the national average, peaking in the inter-war period,^[31] but major recovery was seen in the post-war period, thanks to the arrival first of American light engineering companies like Timex and NCR, and subsequent expansion into microelectronics.^[32]

A £300 million master plan to regenerate Dundee Waterfront is expected to last for a 30 year period between 2001 and 2031.^[33] The aims of the project will be to reconnect the city centre to the waterfront; improve facilities for walking, cyclists and buses; replacing the existing inner ring road with a pair of east/west tree lined boulevards; a new civic square and a re-opened dock stretching from the Caird Hall and a regenerated railway station and arrival space at the western edge.^[33]

Governance[link]

Dundee was granted Royal Burgh status on the coronation of John Balliol as King of Scotland in 1292.^[8] The city has two mottos—Latin: Dei Donum (English: Gift of God) and Prudentia et Candore (With Thought and Purity) although usually only the latter is used for civic purposes.^[34]

Prior to 1996, Dundee was governed by the City of Dundee District Council. This was formed in 1975, implementing boundaries imposed in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Under these boundaries, the Angus burgh and district of Monifieth, and the Perth electoral division of Longforgan (which included Invergowrie) were annexed to the county of the city of Dundee. In 1996, the Dundee City unitary authority was created following implementation of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.^[35] This placed Monifieth and Invergowrie in the unitary authorities of Angus and Perth and Kinross, largely reinstating the pre-1975 county boundaries. Some controversy has ensued as a result of these boundary changes, with Dundee city councillors arguing for the return of Monifieth and Invergowrie.^[36]

Local government[link]

Dundee City Square. The building at the back of the square is Caird Hall. The building on the right is Dundee City Chambers, where the city council meets

Dundee is one of 32 council areas of Scotland,^[35] and is represented by the Dundee City Council - a local authority composed of 29 elected councillors. Previously the city was a county of a city and later a district of the Tayside region. Council meetings take place in the City Chambers, which opened in 1933 in City Square. The civic head and chair of the council is known as the Lord Provost, a position similar to that of mayor in other cities. Dundee House, the new headquarters for the city council on North Lindsay Street, opened in August 2011.^[37] This has replaced Tayside House which is due to be demolished in early 2012 as part of the Dundee Waterfront improvements.^[37]

The council was controlled by a minority coalition of Labour and Liberal Democrats of 12 councillors, with the support of the Conservatives who had five. Although the Scottish National Party (SNP) was the largest party on the council, with 11 councillors.^[38][39] Elections to the council are on a four year cycle, the most recent as of 2007 being on 3 May 2007. Previously, Councillors were elected from single-member wards by the first past the post system of election, although this changed in the 2007 election, due to the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.^[40] Eight new multi-member wards were introduced, each electing three or four councillors by single transferable vote, to produce a form of proportional representation.

The 2007 election resulted in no single party having overall control, with 13 Scottish National Party, 10 Labour, 3 Conservatives, 2 Liberal Democrats, and 1 Independent Councillors. A March 2009 by-election in the Maryfield ward changed the balance to 14 Scottish National Party, 9 Labour, 3 Conservatives, 2 Liberal Democrats, and 2 Independent Councillors.^[41] The 2012 Local Elections returned a council made up of 16 SNP, 10 Labour, 1 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat, and 1 Independent councillors, giving the SNP overall control.

Westminster and Holyrood[link]

For elections to the British House of Commons at Westminster, the city area and portions of the Angus council area are divided in two constituencies.^[42] The constituencies of Dundee East and Dundee West are as of 2010 represented by Stewart Hosie (Scottish National Party)^[43] and James McGovern (Labour),^[44] respectively. For elections to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, the city area is divided between three constituencies. The Dundee East (Holyrood) constituency and the Dundee West (Holyrood) constituency are entirely within the city area. The Angus South (Holyrood) constituency includes north-eastern and north-western portions of the city area.^[42] All three constituencies are within the North East Scotland electoral region: Shona Robison (SNP) is the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Dundee East constituency;^[45] Joe Fitzpatrick (SNP) is the current MSP for the Dundee West constituency^[46] and Graeme Dey (SNP) is the current MSP for the Angus South constituency.^[47]

Dundee is also part of the pan-Scotland European Parliament constituency which elects seven Members of the European Parliament (MEP)s using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation.^[48] Scotland returns two Labour MEPs, two SNP MEPs, one Conservative and Unionist MEP and one Liberal Democrat MEP, to the European Parliament.^[48]

Geography[link]

The Dundee Law

Dundee sits on the north bank of the Firth of Tay on the eastern, North Sea Coast of Scotland. The city lies 36.1 miles (58 km) NNE of Edinburgh^[49] and 360.6 miles (580 km) NNW of London.^[49] The built-up area occupies a roughly rectangular shape 8.3 miles (13 km) long by 2.5 miles (4 km) wide, aligned in an east to west direction and occupies an area of 60 km².^[50][51] The town is bisected by a line of hills stretching from Balgay Hill (elevation of 143 m) in the west end of the city, through the Dundee Law (174 m) which occupies the centre of the built up area, to Gallow Hill (83 m), between Baxter Park and the Eastern Cemetery. North of this ridge lies a valley through which cuts the Dighty Water burn, the elevation falling to around 45 m. North of the Dighty valley lie the Sidlaw Hills, the most prominent hill being Craigowl Hill (455 m).^[50]

The western and eastern boundaries of the city are marked by two burns that are tributaries of the River Tay. On the western-most boundary of the city, the Lochee burn meets the Fowlis burn, forming the Invergowrie burn, which meets the Tay at Invergowrie basin.^[50] The Dighty Water enters Dundee from the village of Strathmartine and marks the boundaries of a number of northern districts of the city, joining the Tay between Barnhill and Monifieth.^[50] The Scouring burn in the west end of the city and Dens Burn in the east, both of which played important roles in the industrial development of the city, have now been culverted over.

Geology[link]

The city lies within the Sidlaw-Ochil anticline, and the predominant bedrock type is Old Red Sandstone of the Arbuthnott-Garvock group.^[52] Differential weathering of a series of igneous intrusions has yielded a number of prominent hills in the landscape, most notably the Dundee Law (a late Silurian/early Devonian Mafic rock intrusion) and Balgay hill (a Felsic rock intrusion of similar age).^[52] To the east of the city, in Craigie and Broughty Ferry, the bedrock geology is of extrusive rocks, including mafic lava and tuff.^[52]

The land surrounding Dundee, particularly that in the lower lying areas to the West and east of the city bears high quality soil that is particularly suitable for arable farming. It is predominantly of a brown forest soil type with some gleying, the lower parts being formed from raised beach sands and gravels derived from Old Red Sandstone and lavas.^[53]

Location[link]

Destinations from Dundee

	Pitlochry, Coupar Angus	Forfar	Montrose, Aberdeen
	Perth		Carnoustie, Arbroath
		DUNDEE    East
	Fife, Stirling	Newport-on-Tay, Cupar	St Andrews

Urban environment[link]

View from The Law, overlooking Dundee City Centre and the Tay Road Bridge

Very little of pre-Reformation Dundee remains, the destruction suffered in the War of the Rough Wooing being almost total, with only scattered, roofless shells remaining.^[54] The area occupied by the mediaeval burgh of Dundee extends between East Port and West Port, which formerly held the gates to the walled city. The shoreline has been altered considerably since the early 19th century through development of the harbour area and land reclamation.^[55] Several areas on the periphery of the burgh saw industrial development with the building of textile mills from the end of the 18th century. Their placement was dictated by the need for a water supply for the modern steam powered machinery, and areas around the Lochee Burn (Lochee), Scouring Burn (Blackness) and Dens Burn (Dens Road area) saw particular concentrations of mills.^[56] The post war period saw expansion of industry to estates along the Kingsway.^[57]

Working class housing spread rapidly and without control throughout the Victorian era, particularly in the Hawkhill, Blackness Road, Dens Road and Hilltown areas.^[58] Despite the comparative wealth of Victorian Dundee as a whole, living standards for the working classes were very poor. A general lack of town planning coupled with the influx of labour during the expansion of the jute industry resulted in unsanitary, squalid and cramped housing for much of the population.^[59] While gradual improvements and slum clearance began in the late 19th century, the building of the groundbreaking Logie housing estate marked the beginning of Dundee's expansion through the building of planned housing estates, under the vision of city architect James Thomson, whose legacy also includes the housing estate of Craigiebank and the beginnings of an improved transport infrastructure by planning the Kingsway bypass.^[60]

Modernisation of the city centre continued in the post-war period. The mediaeval Overgate was demolished in the early 1960s to make way for a shopping centre, followed by construction of the inner ring road and the Wellgate Shopping Centre.^[61] The Tay Road Bridge, completed in 1966 had as its northern landfall the docklands of central Dundee, and the new associated road system resulted in the city centre being cut off from the river.^[62] An acute shortage of housing in the late 1940s was addressed by a series of large housing estates built in the northern environs including the Fintry, Craigie, Charleston and Douglas areas in the 1950s and early 1960s.^[63] These were followed by increasingly cost-effective and sometimes poorly planned housing in throughout the 1960s.^[64] Much of this, in particular the high rise blocks of flats at Lochee, Kirkton, Trottick, Whitfield, Ardler and Menzieshill, and the prefabricated Skarne housing blocks at Whitfield, have been demolished since the 1990s or are scheduled for future demolition.^[65]

Climate[link]

Haar (fog) travelling up the River Tay by advection

The climate, as is the case with the rest of North-West Europe is Oceanic (Köppen-Geiger classification Cfb).^[66] Mean temperature and rainfall is typical for the east coast of Scotland, and with its sheltered estuarine position, mean daily maximums are slightly higher than coastal areas to the North, particularly in Spring and Summer.^[67] The nearest official Met Office weather station is Mylnefield, Invergowrie which is situated about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of the City Centre.

A record high of 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) was recorded in August 1995.^[68] The warmest month was July 2006,^[69] with an average temperature of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) (mean maximum 22.5 °C (72.5 °F), mean minimum 12.3 °C (54.1 °F)). In an 'average' year the warmest day should reach^[70] 25.2 °C (77.4 °F), and in total just 1.63 days^[71] should equal or exceed a temperature of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) per year, illustrating the rarity of such warmth.

Demography[link]

According to the 2001 census, the City of Dundee had a population of 154,674.^[73] A more recent population estimate of the City of Dundee has been recorded at 152,320 in 2008.^[3] The demographic make-up of the population is much in line with the rest of Scotland. The age group from 30 to 44 forms the largest portion of the population (20%).^[73] The median age of males and females living in Dundee was 37 and 40 years respectively, compared to 37 and 39 years for those in the whole of Scotland.^[73]

The place of birth of the town's residents was 94.16% United Kingdom (including 87.85% from Scotland), 0.42% Republic of Ireland, 1.33% from other European Union countries, and 3.09% from elsewhere in the world. The economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 35.92% in full-time employment, 10.42% in part-time employment, 4.25% self-employed, 5.18% unemployed, 7.82% students with jobs, 4.73% students without jobs, 15.15% retired, 4.54% looking after home or family, 7.92% permanently sick or disabled, and 4.00% economically inactive for other reasons. Compared with the average demography of Scotland, Dundee has both low proportions of people born outside the United Kingdom and for people over 75 years old.

Natives of Dundee are called Dundonians and are often recognisable by their distinctive dialect of Scots as well as their accent, which most noticeably substitutes the monophthong /e/ in place of the diphthong /ai/.^[75] Dundee, and Scotland more generally, saw rapid population increase at end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, with the city's population increasing from 12,400 in 1751 to 30,500 in 1821.^[18] Of particular significance was an influx of Irish workers in the early to mid-19th century, attracted by the prospect of employment in the textiles industries. In 1851, 18.9% of people living in Dundee were of Irish birth.^[76]

The city has also attracted immigrants from Italy, fleeing poverty and famine, and Poland, seeking refuge from the anti-Jewish pogroms in the 19th century, and later, World War II in the 20th. Today, Dundee has a sizeable ethnic minority population, and has the third highest Asian population (~3,500) in Scotland after Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The city's universities draw a large number of students from abroad (mostly Irish and EU but with an increasing number from countries in the Far East), and students account for 14.2% of the population, the highest proportion of the four largest Scottish cities.^[2]

Economy[link]

Cox's Stack, a chimney from the former Camperdown works jute mill. The chimney takes its name from jute baron James Cox who later became Lord Provost of the city

The period following World War II was notable for the transformation of the city's economy. While jute still employed one-fifth of the working population, new industries were attracted and encouraged. NCR Corporation selected Dundee as the base of operations for the UK in late 1945,^[77] primarily because of the lack of damage the city had sustained in the war, good transport links and high productivity from long hours of sunshine. Production started in the year before the official opening of the plant on 11 June 1947. A fortnight after the 10th anniversary of the plant the 250,000th cash machine was produced. By the 1960s, NCR had become the principal employer of the city producing cash registers, and later ATMs, at several of its Dundee plants. The firm developed magnetic-strip readers for cash registers and produced early computers.^[78] Astral, a Dundee-based firm that manufactured and sold refrigerators and spin dryers was merged into Morphy Richards and rapidly expanded to employ over 1,000 people. The development in Dundee of a Michelin tyre-production facility helped to absorb the unemployment caused by the decline of the jute industry, particularly with the abolition of the jute control by the Board of Trade on 30 April 1969.^[79]

Employment in Dundee changed dramatically during the 1980s with the loss of nearly 10,000 manufacturing jobs due to closure of the shipyards, cessation of carpet manufacturing and the disappearance of the jute trade. To combat growing unemployment and declining economic conditions, Dundee was declared an Enterprise Zone in January 1984. In 1983, the first Sinclair ZX Spectrum home computers were produced in Dundee by Timex. In the same year the company broke production records, despite a sit-in by workers protesting against job cuts and plans to demolish one of the factory buildings to make way for a supermarket. Timex closed its Dundee plant in 1993 following an acrimonious six month industrial dispute.^[80]

Modern day[link]

Ninewells Hospital, one of the largest employers in the Dundee area

Dundee is a regional employment and education centre, with over 300,000 persons within 30 minutes drive of the city centre and around 630,000 people within one hour. Many people from North East Fife, Angus and Perth and Kinross commute to the city.^[81] In 2009, there were 30 employers who employed 300 or more staff.^[81] The largest employers in the city are NHS Tayside, Dundee City Council, University of Dundee, Tesco, D. C. Thomson & Co and BT.^[81] Other employers include limited and private companies such as NCR Corporation, Michelin, SiTel, Alliance Trust, Norwich Union, Royal Bank of Scotland, Asda, Strathtay Scottish, Tayside Contracts, Tokheim, Scottish Citylink, W H Brown Construction, C J Lang & Son, Joinery and Timber Creations, HBOS, Debenhams, Travel Dundee, WL Gore and Associates. The only sectors to see job increases between 2005 and 2009 were in education and human health and social work activities, while manufacturing and administration and support service activities both saw a significant decline.^[81] Average weekly earnings of full-time employers in Dundee in May 2010 was £482.80; men received £507.40 and women £418.80.^[81] Average earnings in Dundee have increased from £325.00 in 2000 to £482.80 in 2010.^[81]

The biomedical and biotechnology sectors, including start-up biomedical companies arising from university research, employ just under 1,000 people directly and nearly 2,000 indirectly. Information technology and Video game development have been important industries in the city for more than 20 years. Rockstar North, developer of Lemmings and the Grand Theft Auto series was founded in Dundee as DMA Design by David Jones; an undergraduate of the University of Abertay Dundee.^[82] Other game development studios in Dundee include Denki, Ruffian Games, Dynamo Games, 4J Studios, Cohort Studios amongst others.

NCR Dundee

Dundee is also a key retail destination for North East Scotland and has been ranked 4th in Retail Rankings in Scotland.^[83] The city centre offers a wide variety of retailers, department stores and independent/specialist stores. The Murraygate and High Street forms the main pedestrian area and is home to a number of main anchors such as Marks and Spencer, Monsoon, Accessorize and Zara.^[83] The main pedestrian area also connects the two large shopping centres; the 420,000 sq ft (39,000 m²) Overgate Centre which is anchored by Debenhams, H&M, Next and Primark and the 310,000 sq ft (29,000 m²) Wellgate Centre by BHS, Home Bargains and Peacocks.^[83] Other retail areas in the city include Gallagher Retail Park, Kingsway East Retail Park and Kingsway West Retail Park.^[83]

Landmarks[link]

St Mary's Tower, oldest building in Dundee, dating to late 15th century

The city and its landscape is dominated by The Law and the Firth of Tay. The Law, the large hill that lies to the north of the City Centre was the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort, upon which the Law War Memorial, designed by Thomas Braddock, was erected in 1921 to commemorate the fallen of World War I ^[84] The waterfront, much altered by reclamation in the 19th century, retains several of the docks that once were the hub of the Jute and Whaling industries, including the Camperdown and Victoria Docks.^[85] The Victoria Dock is the home of the frigate HMS Unicorn and the North Carr Lightship, while the RRS Discovery occupies Craig Pier, from where the ferries to Fife once sailed.

The oldest building in the city is St Mary's Tower, which dates to the late 15th century.^[86] This forms part of the City Churches, which consists St Clements Church, dating to 1787-8 and built by Samuel Bell, Old St Paul's and St David's Church, built in 1841-2 by William Burn, and St Mary's Church, rebuilt in 1843-4, also by Burn following a fire.^[87] Other significant churches in the city include the Gothic Revival Episcopal Cathedral of St Paul's, built by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1853 on the former site of Dundee Castle in the High Street,^[88] and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Andrew's, built in 1835 by George Mathewson in Nethergate.^[89]

As a result of the destruction suffered during the Rough Wooing, little of the mediaeval city (aside from St Mary's Tower) remains and the earliest surviving domestic structures date from the Early Modern Era. A notable example is the Wishart Arch (or East Port) in Cowgate. It is the last surviving portion of the city walls and, dating prior to 1548, owes its continued existence to its association with the Protestant martyr George Wishart, who is said to have preached to plague victims from the East Port in 1844.^[90] Another is the building complex on the High Street known as Gardyne's Land, parts of which date from around 1560.^[91] The Howff burial ground in the northern part of the City Centre also dates from this time, having been gifted to the city by Mary Queen of Scots in 1564, having previously served as the grounds of a Franciscan abbey.^[92]

Claypotts Castle, dating from the late 16th century

Several castles can be found in Dundee, mostly dating to the Early Modern Era. The earliest parts of Mains Castle in Caird park were built by David Graham in 1562 on the site of an earlier hunting lodge of 1460.^[93] Dudhope Castle, originally the seat of the Scrymgeour family, dates to the late 16th century and was built on the site of earlier keep of 1460.^[94] Claypotts Castle, a striking Z plan castle in West Ferry, was built by John Strachan dates to 1569-1588.^[95] The ruins of Powrie Castle, north of Fintry date from the 16th century castle north .^[96]

North of the City Churches, at the end of Reform Street, lies the High School of Dundee, built in 1829-34 by George Angus in a Greek Revival style.^[97] Another school building of note is Morgan Academy on Forfar Road, built in 1863, designed by John Dick Peddie in a Dutch Gothic style.^[98]

Dundee's industrial history as a centre for textile production is apparent throughout the city. Numerous former jute mills remain standing and while some lay derelict, many have been converted into alternate usages. Of particular note are the Tay Works, built by the Gilroy Brothers c.1850-1865,^[99] Camperdown Works in Lochee built between 1861 and 1868 by the Cox Brothers,^[100] and Upper Dens Mill and Lower Dens Works, built by the Baxter Brothers in the mid 19th century.^[101]

Transport[link]

Dundee is served by the A90 road which connects the city to the M90 and Perth in the west, and Forfar and Aberdeen in the north. The part of the road that is in the city is a dual carriageway and forms the city's main bypass on its north side, known as the Kingsway. East of the A90's Forfar Road junction, the Kingsway East continues as the A972, and meets the A92 at the Scott Fyffe roundabout. Travelling east, the A92 connects the city to Arbroath and Montrose and to the south with Fife via the Tay Road Bridge.