The fourth-largest city in Scotland spreads along the north bank of the Firth of Tay at the foot of Balgary Hill (480ft/145m) and Law (571ft/174m). Jute, jam and journalism were the three trades that for many years brought prosperity to the town. The jute factories and weaving mills have now closed (and also many of the
shipyards), most of the printing presses have disappeared and production of the highly-prized jam has declined. Their places have been taken by service industries. Modern technology parks and a host of small and medium-sized companies working in synthetic fibers, biotechnology, precision engineering and instrument making are testimony to how Dundee has adapted to a new post-industrial economic structure.
One aspect of the publishing industry does remain: "Oor Wullie", "Desperate Dan", the "Beano" and "Lord Snooty" are just some of the legendary Scottish comic heroes who are still very much alive and the artwork that accompanies these stories comes from the pens of Dundee designers.
From the architectural point of view Dundee has undergone a period of renewal in recent years. The "Waterfront" has been renovated and new office blocks and leisure facilities have been built, with the Discovery Museum complex and Captain Scott's "Discovery", a new symbol for Dundee, as the focal points.
Domestic flights for Manchester and Aberdeen leave daily from the airport in Riverside Drive. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow are served both by buses from Seagate Bus Station and trains from Taybridge Station, South Union Street (contact Scotrail for times).
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