Dundee is marking a significant maritime anniversary this spring as the city celebrates the 125th birthday of RRS Discovery, the Antarctic research ship launched from Dundee’s quayside in 1901.
Dundee Heritage Trust has announced a full programme of activities for Saturday, March 21, inviting visitors to commemorate the vessel that carried Captain Scott and his crew into the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore more than 10 interactive galleries at Discovery Point, board the historic ship, and experience the immersive Discovery Dome, which recreates Dundee in 1901. The ship will close at 2.30pm for a private ceremony, although the wider site will remain open until 5pm. A special £12.50 family ticket will be available for this day only.
The anniversary also marks the opening of Unseen Discoveries, a year-long exhibition featuring rarely displayed artefacts from the 1901–04 expedition, including handwritten diaries, scrapbooks, toolboxes and personal belongings from crew members.
At 3pm, a short commemorative ceremony will take place close to the original launch point, with music, speeches and birthday cake marking 125 years since Discovery first entered the water. A new commemorative crest, designed in Dundee by Alastair Walker, has been created to mark the occasion.
Further details are available at www.dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk.
