Settled since the Stone Age, Dundee has a long and fascinating history. Once a mediaeval trading port, Dundee was also the scene of many important battles. It later rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution, known for its marmalade industry and journalism. Museums, castles and wild coastal scenery all make Dundee one of the world’s top tourist destinations today.
Prehistoric Dundee
Dundee is known to have been occupied since the Mesolithic period, and there are many ruins from the Bronze and Iron Ages around the city.
Balgarthno Stone Circle
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Of the ruins and remains from the Bronze and Iron Ages is the enigmatic Balgarthno Stone Circle. It has roughly a 20-inch diameter and consists of nine large boulders. One of the boulders stands at 6 feet.
Dundee Law
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At over 150 metres above sea level, this hill offers sweeping views across the city. It is also the site of some of Dundee’s most impressive archaeological finds. Remains found here indicate that it was a Pictish settlement in the Iron Age and was later used by the Romans.
McManus Gallery
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Some of the artefacts found on the Law can be seen today in the city’s McManus Gallery. The large, Hollywood-style “Beanotown” sign on Dundee Law is a 21st-century addition, celebrating the city’s role as the home of the famous children’s comic, The Beano.
Dundee at War
Dundee’s location on the Firth of Tay made it vital during the Wars of Independence between England and Scotland. Dundee Castle was captured by the English in 1296 before being taken again by William Wallace’s Scottish army the following year. The castle traded hands several more times during the ongoing war before finally being destroyed by Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots, in 1313. The city’s cathedral was built on the site some five centuries later.
Broughty Castle
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A few miles east of the city, Broughty Castle was built in 1490 to defend against the increasingly powerful English navy. This strategy backfired, as in 1547, its master, Lord Gray, gave it as a gift to the English to support them in their invasion against Mary, Queen of Scots. The ensuing battle eventually led the Scottish to reclaim the castle, but at a huge cost. Some reports indicate that as many as one in ten Dundee locals died in the conflict. The castle was later fortified and used in defence during the Second World War; today, it contains a museum.
Industrial Dundee
Dundee blossomed in the Industrial Revolution. It was the centre of the British jute industry, with many mills around the city. The city was also known as the birthplace of marmalade, with Janet Keiller’s locally-produced brand, made from bitter Seville oranges, being exported worldwide. At the same time, a large newspaper and magazine developed in the city, which is still known today as the home of iconic children’s comics, The Beano and The Dandy. These three industries led to Dundee being known for “jute, jam and journalism“. Other important industries at the time included shipbuilding and whaling, and Dundee grew in prominence as one of Scotland’s biggest manufacturing hubs.
Tay Rail Bridge
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Tay Rail Bridge, which spans 2.75 miles across the Firth of Tay, has become an icon of Dundee. Prior to its construction, trains had to cross the water by ferry — it was designed to streamline the crossing process, which was considered essential in such an important industrial city. The first bridge built on this site opened in 1878, but high winds suddenly caused it to collapse the following year, killing 75 people. This was one of the most serious disasters of the golden age of British engineering and led to a stronger bridge being erected in 1887.
Maritime Dundee
Since the advent of seafaring, Dundee has been a port town. Its most important maritime role started to develop in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1857, the ship Tay was the first in the world to be fitted with steam engines. The Tay was used in the city’s burgeoning whaling industry, which continued throughout the 19th century until 1922, when the last whaling ship moved on. Shipbuilding continued in Dundee until the closure of the industry in the 1980s.
Dundee Maritime Trail
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The self-guided Dundee Maritime Trail allows visitors to explore the city’s port area. Online leaflets and audio tours are available. The trail takes in many sights, including HMS Unicorn, the third-oldest ship in the world. This exquisitely preserved frigate dates back to 1824. Today, it contains a visitors’ centre designed to show what life was like onboard a 19th-century warship.
The UK ETA for Dundee
From 2024, visitors to Dundee, along with any other part of the country, will need to go through the new UK ETA process. The ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation, is designed to replace the current visa waiver system. Based on successful programmes currently in use in the United States and Canada, the ETA is an important step towards the government’s goal of fully digitalising the country’s border control system.
UK ETA Eligibility
At present, citizens of 90 countries can enter the UK without a visa. When the new system is implemented, travellers from these countries will need to apply for an ETA. They will not be allowed to enter the UK without ETA approval. An ETA will be required regardless of how visitors plan to enter the UK, whether by air, sea or land.
UK ETA Requirements
The UK ETA for Dundee is available to those who meet the requirements. It will be issued to visitors who enter the country for tourism, as well as others who plan to stay for a time period of no longer than six months. Travellers who come to the UK for business and students who intend to study in the country must also go through the ETA process. Those who plan to spend more than six months or 180 days in the UK or who intend to work while in the country will need to apply for a visa separately.
Applying for the UK ETA for Dundee
The ETA application process will be only available online, as it is part of a digitalisation programme. Applicants will need a valid biometric passport, as well as pieces of personal information, such as first and last name, email address, etc. They will also need to disclose any criminal history, immigration offences or memberships in proscribed organisations.
Applicants will also need to provide information about their planned stay in the UK. This may include an itinerary, as well as the address or addresses at which they will be staying.
As part of the application process, travellers will need to pay a processing fee. This must be paid in full before the application is completed. Once complete, the application may take up to 72 hours to process. This means that travellers should apply a few days in advance of their planned journey, as they will need their approved UK ETA for Dundee in order to enter the country legally.
Travelling with the UK ETA
The UK ETA for Dundee allows visitors to travel throughout the United Kingdom. This means that they can leave Scotland and enter England, Wales or Northern Ireland without needing any further applications. Travel between the four constituent countries of the UK is totally open. However, the ETA does not grant permission for visitors to enter the Republic of Ireland or any other European country.
A Trip to Dundee with the ETA
The city of Dundee continues to attract and inspire visitors with its maritime area, its impressive castles and its windswept coastal location. A UK ETA for Dundee allows visitors to explore one of Scotland’s most historic cities and discover its unique charms.