Tay Bridge Disaster, McGonagall, Captain Scott and other stories
Featuring the Tay Bridge Disaster, we will spend a good portion of the walk and talk dealing with the events of that fateful day. You will encounter dreadful rogues, awful (but much loved) poets and some true heroes.
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Scroll down to read more and to find out details of where to meet for this tour.
Captain Scott’s RRS Discovery, was launched here in Dundee in 1901. The ship's story, from the voyage with Scott to Antarctica, to its homecoming and location at Discovery Point, is another of the main themes of the tour.
Your Guide has been a volunteer onboard RRS Discovery for several years. He often gets asked if this is the original ship - it most certainly is!
View the Tay Bridges and learn of the tragic Tay Bridge Disaster of 1879. This may be your first encounter with the worst published poet in the world - William Topaz McGonagall. We all love him. Sorry, but there WILL be some poetry on the riverbank!
You will hear stories of Dundee in times of war and strife. Learn of the bravery of Dundee's own 4th Battalion Black Watch, in World War One.
Fighting seadog, Bamse. Winner of the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery in World War Two.​ He fought out of Dundee and Montrose. No waterfront tour can end without him!
The Mars was a floating school for destitute boys, from 1869 to 1929. We will cover the moving and fascinating story of the boys and their historic home - a three-masted naval warship!
Tour details
The tour, which is all on the level, is around 3/4 of a mile (1208 metres) in distance.
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Tours will go ahead irrespective of the weather. Please do take care to dress accordingly. You must have on stout waterproof footwear for your own comfort and safety. Dundee is situated at the Tay estuary, leading to the North Sea and the weather is changeable, however, it is the sunniest city in Scotland.
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Please note that your tour ticket price does not entitle you to entry to any of the attractions which we will view or discuss. We would however be glad to recommend that you do try to visit or investigate them for yourselves. Tour tickets are for sale online only. Sorry no refunds after ticket purchase.​
Meet at Discovery Point
Discovery Point, Dundee in front of RRS Discovery,
Discovery Quay, Riverside, Dundee DD1 4XA