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  • Comments | The Dundee Tapestry

    Let us know your thoughts about The Dundee Tapestry. Comments We’d love to hear your feedback on the exhibition. Please leave your comments below. First Name Last Name Email Comments Send Thanks for your message

  • Creative Dundee | The Dundee Tapestry

    This panel reflects how Dundee’s creative credentials are evolving. The city is traditionally associated with comics and greetings cards, but the 2018 opening of V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum, elevated Dundee’s art and design heritage. The city is a hub for video game design, and the Arts continue to thrive in multiple forms. Up Up Creative Dundee A new generation of creators This panel reflects how Dundee’s creative credentials are evolving. The city is traditionally associated with comics and greetings cards, but the 2018 opening of V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum, elevated Dundee’s art and design heritage. The city is a hub for video game design, and the Arts continue to thrive in multiple forms. 1. A creative hub Art is created and shared across the city in a diverse array of locations, including Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), The McManus, Double Door Studios, Chainworks Studios, Roseangle Gallery and Wasps at Meadow Mill, involving art collectives such as Generator Projects and Amps Networks, and community practitioners like Scrapantics. 2. Joseph Lee Born in Dundee, Joseph Lee (1876-1949) was a notable poet, journalist and author, and a talented artist who illustrated his own books. When war broke out in 1914, he recorded life on the battlefield while serving with the 4th Black Watch. ‘Ballads of Battle’, Lee’s first book of war poetry, was published in 1916, followed by ‘Work-a-Day Warriors’ in 1917. The University of Dundee holds an archive of his work. 3. Grand Theft Auto This driving-action video game was developed in Dundee by gaming company, DMA Design. 4. Dundee Repertory Theatre Built in 1982, the Dundee Rep (also home of Scottish Dance Theatre) was granted Category ‘A’-list status in 2022. The theatre was designed by local architects, Nicoll Russell Studios, and it continues to present a diverse array of contemporary performances. Many Scottish actors – including Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa – have taken to the stage here. 5. Anvil & hammer These tools represent the creativity of blacksmiths who worked in the Dundee area. Some started out as rivet boys, making rivets for the construction of the Tay Railway Bridge. Later, as blacksmiths, they were involved in the Dundee housing boom and supported stonemasons in developing and maintaining tools. They also created and provided the ironmongery that was popular in Victorian housing, and supported the farming community beyond Dundee. 6. James Bowman Lindsay Born in Arbroath in 1799, James worked as a linen worker in Dundee before gaining a place at the University of St Andrews. He returned to Dundee in 1829 as Science and Mathematics Lecturer at the Watt Institution and, in 1835, he demonstrated constant electric light – 40 years before Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb. 7. Moira Macgregor Moira Macgregor (1931-2016) was a Dundee-born artist, illustrator and print-maker whose modern drawing style made her popular with on-trend fashion brands and magazines (like ‘Honey’, ‘Nova’ and ‘Glamour’) from the 1960s to the 1980s – including Barbara Hulanicki’s super-hip fashion label, Biba. Later, Moira worked in advertising, book publishing and packaging, and she exhibited paintings and prints at the Royal Academy and the Royal Watercolour Society. 8. Alhambra Theatre Now known as the Whitehall Theatre, the Alhambra was established in the 1890s by local impresario, John Young, and from 1929, it showed both films and live productions. Brian Cox, Michael Marra and Will Fyffe all performed there. 9. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art The creative heart of University of Dundee, DJCAD is consistently ranked in the top UK colleges for art and design. Successful alumni include illustrator Johanna Basford, sculptor David Mach and musician Gary Clark. 10. Valentine & Sons Established in 1851, Valentine’s became a highly successful manufacturer of postcards, greetings cards, calendars and children’s books. The factory in Westfield Avenue closed in 1994, and has since been demolished. 11. Graffiti in Mary Anne Lane The legal graffiti wall in Mary Ann Lane, one of several eyecatching graffiti artworks in Dundee. 12. Scott Sutherland Scott Sutherland (1910-1984) is best known for his Commando Memorial sculpture, unveiled at Spean Bridge, Invernessshire in 1952. He was Head of Sculpture at DJCAD from 1947-1975, and other notable examples of his work include a carved coat of arms on the National Library of Scotland; the Robert Burns statue in Arbroath; and the carved slate memorial panel to the crew of the Broughty Ferry lifeboat, ‘Mona’. 13. Music notes These are the first musical notes of Michael Marra’s song, ‘Frida Kahlo’s Visit to the Taybridge Bar’. 14. Jeff Hawke Jeff Hawke was a comic strip character created by Dundee-born artist Sydney Jordan. Hawke’s sci-fi adventures appeared in the ‘Daily Express’ from 1954 to 1975. Up Up This panel was stitched by Liz Gillespie Anne Murphy Anna Stark

  • Dundee Industry | The Dundee Tapestry

    In the 19th century, the development of linen mills, whaling and ship-building, followed by jute, jam and journalism – the famous ‘three Js’ – enabled Dundee and its busy port to flourish. By hosting oil rigs, wind turbines and cruise ships today, the River Tay and the port of Dundee are still key to the city’s economy, but console games technology and life sciences have taken over from more traditional manufacturing sectors. This panel honours Dundee’s diverse array of key industries. Up Up Dundee Industry Remembering Dundee’s industries, past and present In the 19th century, the development of linen mills, whaling and ship-building, followed by jute, jam and journalism – the famous ‘three Js’ – enabled Dundee and its busy port to flourish. By hosting oil rigs, wind turbines and cruise ships today, the River Tay and the port of Dundee are still key to the city’s economy, but console games technology and life sciences have taken over from more traditional manufacturing sectors. This panel honours Dundee’s diverse array of key industries, past and present. 1. Production of Levi’s jeans Dundee’s Levi’s jeans factory opened on Dunsinane Industrial Estate, off the Kingsway, in 1972 and closed in 2002. 2. Weaving loom By the mid 1800s, Dundee’s mills were weaving Baltic flax into a coarse cloth called Osnaburg Linen. The finished fabric was used for sailcloth and wagon covers, and some of it was also made into clothing for enslaved people. As the cost of flax increased, many of the city’s mills switched from weaving linen to jute, as Dundee’s jute industry took off. 3. Gaming Abertay University was the first in the world to introduce computer games degrees, and over 40 gaming companies have now set up in the city. Popular video games created here include Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto, both created by DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North). 4. Oil rigs The port of Dundee has become an important hub for oil rig decommissioning, refits and repairs. 5. Ship-building Many small shipyards once operated on the banks of the River Tay. The three largest were Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd (otherwise known as W B Thompson & Co Ltd), Gourlay Brothers & Co (Dundee) Ltd, and Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd. 6. Furniture-making Dovetail Enterprises (1993) Ltd is an amalgamation of two long-established Dundee charities: Royal Dundee Blindcraft Products (Blindcraft) and Lord Roberts Workshop (LRW). Dovetail continues to offer employment and training for those disadvantaged in the workplace due to disability, and the company now creates high quality beds, furniture, doors and door-sets. 7. NCR Makers of cash registers and ATMs, NCR had a large factory near Camperdown Park, from 1947 to 2009. 8. Whisky bonds Dundee had several ‘whisky bonds’ (a type of secure warehouse) with the most famous being Robertson’s Bond on Seagate. 9. Keiller’s Marmalade In the 1760s, Mrs Janet Keiller turned locally-grown, seasonal soft fruits and sugar-beet into jam. She also modified a quince recipe to create ‘chip’ (shredded peel) marmalade, using imported oranges. Janet’s son took over the business in 1775 and, by 1869, James Keiller and Sons was the largest confectionary business in Britain. 10. Whaling The use of whale oil and water to soften jute fibres for processing meant the whaling industry lasted longer in Dundee than in most other British ports. Whalebone was also an important commodity, and was used in the same way we might use plastic today. 11. Wind turbines Wind turbines for the forthcoming Inch Cape wind farm – one of Scotland’s largest offshore renewable energy projects – are currently being assembled at the port of Dundee. 12. Journalism David Couper Thomson took over his family’s publishing business in 1884, and the company officially became known as DC Thomson from 1905. ‘The Courier’ and ‘Evening Telegraph’ are still widely read, along with titles like ‘The Scots Magazine’ and ‘The Sunday Post’ and children’s comics, ‘Beano’ and ‘The Dandy’. 13. Michelin The Michelin factory in Dundee created millions of car tyres from 1971 to 2020, and in 2006 it was the first UK factory to install wind turbines. The site has since become Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, hosting entrepreneurs and manufacturers who are focusing on diversity and climate change. 14. Valentines of Dundee Valentine and Sons Ltd was founded in 1851 by James Valentine, a Royal-appointed photographer, and by the early 1900s, the company was synonymous with colourful picture postcards, greetings cards and Christmas cards. Hallmark took over the business in 1970, and the factory closed in 1994. 15. Timex The Timex watch factories in Milton and Camperdown were built after World War II and by the mid-Sixties, Timex was Dundee’s single largest employer – particularly among women. The Camperdown factory closed in August 1993, ending 47 years of production. 16. Keiller’s Dundee Cake As well as making marmalade, Janet Keiller came up with iconic Dundee Cake – an all-butter sultana cake, believed to be adapted from a 16th century recipe . Up Up This panel was stitched by Jean Davidson Christine Don Ervin Mackie Lynne Potts

  • Factory Life | The Dundee Tapestry

    After the Second World War, Dundee evolved into a manufacturing hotspot. An excellent rail network, a busy port and a plentiful supply of employees with good engineering skills were the main attractions, and international companies like NCR, Timex, Levi and Veeder Root built large factories on the outskirts of the city. When newly built, these modern factories provided thousands of local residents – particularly, women – with well-paid jobs, training and safer working conditions. DUNDEE INDUSTRY Up Up Factory Life NEW FOR 2025 Recalling the highs and lows of life ‘on the line’ After the Second World War, Dundee evolved into a manufacturing hotspot. An excellent rail network, a busy port and a plentiful supply of employees with good engineering skills were the main attractions, and international companies like NCR, Timex, Levi and Veeder Root built large factories on the outskirts of the city. When newly built, these modern factories provided thousands of local residents – particularly, women – with well-paid jobs, training and safer working conditions than the jute mills and shipyards. This panel recalls daily routines on the production line, and celebrates the up and downs of 20th century factory life. 1. Factory uniforms The modern factory uniforms and overalls were very different to those worn in the jute mills and shipyards. At Timex, for example, different coloured uniforms represented different departments, and the garments were made of a smooth nylon fabric to prevent dirt or hair being transferred to the delicate inner workings of the watches being made. 2. Mealtimes at work Most factories in Dundee had a staff canteen, serving basic, but nourishing, Scottish fare. Mass-produced food had its limitations, though, and the menu was often affectionately compared to school dinners: vegetables could be soggy, meat could be greasy and overdone, and the eggs were often rubbery. Lunch was usually only 30 minutes, so employees had to be quick to get to the canteen, eat and get back to the production line again. 3. Working ‘on the line’ Perks such as canteens, welfare departments, sports clubs, holiday pay, and a decent wage meant Dundonians queued for jobs in the new factories. Factory workers had ‘totals’ (or targets) to reach and people helped each other reach the required target. But while working on the line could be laborious and repetitive, it’s also where relationships and lifelong friendships were born. Popular topics of conversation on the line covered who was going with who; who had fallen out; what someone was wearing ‘doon the toon’ on a Saturday; and who’d been seen at the dancing… anything that relieved the boredom of standing or sitting in the same spot for hours at a time. Many factory workers also took part in community-focused activities, with money being raised to support fellow workers on strike, local pensioners, or donated to charity. 4. A skilled workforce NCR and Timex both opened their Dundee factories in 1947, followed by Levi Strauss (jeans) and Michelin (tyres) in 1972; other notable factories included Valentines, Smedley, Carhartt and Veeder Root. The specialised equipment and busy production lines required a skilled workforce, and they found that among Dundee’s former jute workers, engineers and shipbuilders. 5. Side hustles A career ‘on the line’ could be very sociable and when Dundee’s factories closed in the latter half of the 20th century, former employees missed the camaraderie as much as the wages. There were even opportunities to make some money on the side by selling goods or giving haircuts in the toilets. Neatly packed, pre-ordered butcher’s meat, kids clothing and knitted garments could all be shopped for on a visit to the loo. 6. Children’s festive parties Christmas parties for the children of factory workers were an annual treat, with a willing employee decked out in a Santa outfit and a neatly-wrapped present for every child. 7. Clocking in and clocking out Just as they had done in the jute factories and shipyards, Dundee’s modern factory workers would ‘clock in’ and ‘clock out’ to enable each factory to accurately track and calculate their employees’ working hours. In some factories, if you were late by five minutes or more, you were ‘quartered’ and you lost 15 minutes’ pay. It was rounded up to the next 15 minutes so, if you were 17 minutes late, you would lose half an hour’s pay. 8. Training and apprenticeships Following an apprenticeship, many people in Dundee were employed at the same factory for their whole working lives. It wasn’t unusual for generations of the same family to work beside each other so it was a huge loss when a factory closed its doors. It’s estimated that more than half a million people stopped working in factories and workshops across Scotland between 1951 and 2021, including Dundee. 9. Traditions in the factory A few days before their wedding, brides-to-be were given a memorable send-off. They were dressed up in a veil, given a baby’s potty to hold, and wheeled around the factory in a wheelbarrow to receive everyone’s good wishes. Sometimes money would be thrown into the wheelbarrow by other factory workers, and the whole event was accompanied by singing and loud cheers. Up Up This panel was stitched by Sandra Allstaff Cath Gardiner

  • Sponsors & Credits | The Dundee Tapestry

    Thanks to our sponsors and production team. THE DUNDEE TAPESTRY Up Up Sponsors & Production credits With thanks to our sponsors Weaver Incorporation of Dundee Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee Don & Low Ltd Northwood Charitable Trust Rotary Club of Dundee Scott Fyffe Wealth Management The Guildry of Dundee Walter Craig Charitable Trust William S. Phillips Fund Supported by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design Community Learning & Development, Dundee City Council Dundee and Angus College Project & Design team Andrew Crummy MBE Dr Frances Stevenson John Fyffe MBE Lyndsey Currie Project support Caitlin Fyffe Rhoda Miller Ellen Piggot Judy Robertson Alister Rutherford Aileen Scoular Design support Claire Adh olla Janice Aitken Martha Glazzard Alan Greig Jude Hughes Matthew Jarron Gary Kennedy Judy Scott Photography Malcolm Finnie Website design The Malting House

  • Journalism | The Dundee Tapestry

    This panel acknowledges the important role of journalism within the Dundee community, and how newspapers, magazines, radio – and now social media – continue to inform a local audience on all aspects of daily life. You’ll see real headlines with a local significance, including both funny stories and serious events. DUNDEE EDUCATION Up Up Journalism The people and places behind the headlines This panel acknowledges the important role of journalism within the Dundee community, and how newspapers, magazines, radio – and now social media – continue to inform a local audience on all aspects of daily life. You’ll see real headlines with a local significance, including both funny stories and serious events. 1. Jim Crumley “Five eagles dead and dumped. And where’s the outrage?” So wrote Jim Crumley, a journalist and nature writer who grew up in Dundee. His work included regular columns for ‘The Courier’ and ‘The Scots Magazine’, along with more than 40 books on Scotland’s wildlife and landscapes. This particular story – about five eagles found dead in the Western Isles – expressed his dismay and outrage at this unsolved wildlife crime. 2. The RNLI Lifeboat ‘Mona’ This story tells the tragic loss of local RNLI lifeboat, ‘Mona’, on 8 December 1959. The North Carr lightship had broken adrift and, when attending the emergency, ‘Mona’ capsized and her crew of eight lost their lives. ‘Mona’ was washed ashore on the east side of Buddon Ness later that day. 3. Brian Taylor Born in Dundee in 1955, Brian Taylor studied at the University of St Andrews before becoming a journalist. He is a former political editor for BBC Scotland, writes columns for ‘The Herald’, and is the author of several books about the Scottish Parliament. 4. Frank Gilfeather This Dundee-born journalist and broadcaster was also a former Scottish amateur boxing champion. His broadcasting career began in 1980 with the launch of the regional news programme, ‘North Tonight’. 5. Marie Imandt & Bessie Maxwell Journalists Bessie Maxwell and Marie Imandt worked for D.C. Thomson. In 1894, they were sent on a year-long, fact-finding mission to investigate the lives of women around the world, and ordered to send back regular reports to the ‘The Courier’ newspaper about their trip. The women visited 10 countries in all, and you can still find a book called ‘Dundee’s Two Intrepid Ladies: A Trip Around the World’ which combines quotes, illustrations and descriptions of their adventures. 6. ‘The Scots Magazine’, 1739 – Present On 16 April 1746, when the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising took place on Culloden Moor, news of the defeat was slow to reach the waiting public. First-hand letters and accounts of the battle were printed in the April 1746 edition of ‘The Scots Magazine’ and for many Scots waiting at home, this was the only way to find out the fate of their loved ones. 7. ‘The Courier’ & ‘Sunday Post’ Launched in September 1816, ‘The Courier’ has served the Dundee community for more than 200 years. And although the paper now has multiple regional editions – covering Angus & The Mearns, Perth & Kinross, and Fife – it has always been printed in its home city. Its stable-mate, the ‘Sunday Post’, was founded in 1914 and is home to cartoon icons ‘Oor Wullie’ and ‘The Broons’. 8. Eddie Mair Journalist and broadcaster Eddie Mair was born in Dundee and worked at Radio Tay before joining the BBC in 1987. Career highlights included ‘Reporting Scotland’ and ‘Good Morning Scotland’, followed by ‘ PM’ and ‘Any Questions?’ on Radio 4. Eddie also presented the drivetime show on LBC until he retired in 2022. 9. Dick Donnelly Dick Donnelly (1941-2016) was a football broadcaster, commentator and journalist who had also enjoyed success as a goalkeeper for East Fife, Brechin City and Arbroath. His father was blind so young Dick became adept at describing the action on the pitch, and as an adult, his voice became familiar to football fans across Scotland. 10. Tay FM Radio Tay arrived on the airwaves on 17 October 1980, via the TV transmitter site at the southern end of the Tay Road Bridge. A month later, it also broadcast to Perth. Today, the station is owned and operated by Bauer, and forms part of the Hits Radio network. Up Up This panel was stitched by Lindsey Grieve

  • Doon the Toon | The Dundee Tapestry

    Before the creation of retail parks on the outskirts of the city, the centre of Dundee was the place to be. Everything happened ‘doon the toon’. Going for your messages, visiting the bank, paying bills, getting your hair done, meeting friends for a pint or a coffee, going to the pictures, choosing your ‘pick and mix’ or favourite records at Woolworths, visiting the library, or just having a look, the city centre offered it all. DUNDEE CULTURE Up Up Doon the Toon NEW FOR 2025 Remembering Dundee city centre at its best Before the creation of retail parks on the outskirts of the city, the centre of Dundee was the place to be. Everything happened ‘doon the toon’. Going for your messages, visiting the bank, paying bills, getting your hair done, meeting friends for a pint or a coffee, going to the pictures, choosing your ‘pick and mix’ or favourite records at Woolworths, visiting the library, or just having a look, the city centre offered it all. It was an excuse to get dressed up and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a prosperous community. As you walked around, you’d see the Steeple churches, the unicorn on the Merket cross, the Caird Hall in the city square, the trams traversing the city, the newspaper salesmen and buskers, and the aroma from the many food stalls and coffee shops. Most of these places and experiences are now part of Dundee’s history but some popular landmarks – pubs, museums and shopping centres; even the old tramlines in the Murraygate – are still there in some shape or form. This nostalgic panel celebrates the highlights of a typical trip ‘doon the toon’, and names the shopping streets and long-gone retailers that Dundonians knew and loved. 1. G. L. Wilson’s department store At the centre of this panel is G. L. Wilson’s department store building, a destination for shoppers in the first half of the 20th century. It was founded in 1894 by Gavin Laurie Wilson, the son of a Lanarkshire farmer, on a corner site at Murraygate and Commercial Street. Visiting G. L. Wilson’s was an experience of sophistication and glamour: customers were treated like royalty, their purchases neatly wrapped up in brown paper and string. And while this was happening, the money to pay for the goods was placed in a container, sucked up a tube and conveyed to the cashiers’ office where the change and the receipt was returned, in the same way, back to the service desk. The department store closed in December 1971, and following refurbishment, the building now hosts contemporary retail units. 2. The Naughty Monkey You’ll find this bronze sculpture by Angela Hunter in front of the entrance to the Keiller Centre on the High Street. Perched on an information board, the naughty monkey has rearranged the letters of ‘INFORMATION’ to now say ‘IN MA FAIR TOON’. Hunter’s inspiration came from the ancient Lady Mary Fair, once held annually in Dundee, which featured an organ grinder with a small monkey. The final Fair was held in 1933. 3. Public baths The idea of having public wash-houses for Dundee’s working people was first suggested at a public meeting in 1844, and they were eventually built on a piece of land near the old Earl Grey Dock donated by the Harbour trustees. The original Docks Bath House opened in July 1848 and in its first year of operation, 14,601 baths were taken. In 1873, Dundee’s new Victorian swimming baths were opened, with changing boxes around the sides, diving stages, springboards and bath stairs. On the opening day, the water temperature was 10.5-14°C – a big difference to modern pools which are around 28°C. The original baths were replaced by an upgraded pool in 1876, then reconstructed again in 1909-1910. What was by then known as the Central Baths were demolished in 1975, after the original Olympia leisure centre opened in 1974, with its wave machine, rapid river, flumes and café – for that all-important ‘shivery bite’. This, in turn, was replaced in 2013 with a new Olympia leisure centre in the Seagate. 4. Going to the pub Back in the mid-19th century, Dundee is believed to have had one pub for every 144 people and even as recently as 2015, the city was reported to have 115 individually registered pubs – 2.5 per cent of all Dundee businesses, and more pubs per head of population than any other Scottish city. Dundee’s oldest bar is The Pillars on Crichton Street which opened in 1864, but many others have survived for decades with very little change. 5. Post office The former Dundee General Post Office was located at the intersection of Meadowside and Constitution Road, and the impressive Renaissance-style building was designed by Walter Wood Robertson between 1895 and 1898. 6. Florists & greengrocers Dundee’s proximity to the fertile farmland of Angus and Perthshire meant access to seasonal fruit and vegetables. In the early 1800s, fresh produce was traded at the weekly Green Market in the High Street which later moved to the square at the bottom of Crichton Street in 1827. When that square was demolished in 1914, the market was held on Dock Street, at the back of the Caird Hall, until 1934. In the second half of the 20th century, popular shops for flowers and fruit included Dryden’s in Victoria Road, Castle Street and Union Street, and Betty White’s in Reform Street. 7. Lost & found Dotted around the city centre is a series of street art by Jeremy Cunningham, entitled ‘Lost & Found’ and completed in 2020. A number of these can be found near the city churches, and along the Nethergate, High Street and Murraygate – each one is accompanied by a letter of the alphabet. 8. The Pillars Clock Located on the building above the jewellers, Robertson & Watt, the clock depicts the old town house – the Pillars building – which served the people of the city from 1734 to 1932. 9. Music shops For musical instruments, sheet music, records, tapes and CDs, Dundonians would head to I&N Records, Chalmers & Joy, Watts in the Wellgate, Largs in Whitehall Street, and Groucho’s. Top 20 hit records could also be found in Woolworths and upstairs in Boots. 10. Mortar & pestle In 1850, there were 11 chemists practising in Dundee and, by 1900, that number had soared to 34. Notable 19th century pharmacies in the city centre were Davidson & Gray on the Nethergate, and Morgan Tower Pharmacy on Perth Road which was opened by A. Y. Barrie in 1874. Boots opened its first shop in Dundee in 1914 and still trades from what was formerly known as Strathtay House, on the corner of Reform Street. 11. Jewellers As befits a wealthy city, in the 19th and 20th centuries, Dundee had its fair share of jewellers. H Samuel moved into Reform Street, opposite Boots, in 1909, where it vied for custom with Henderson’s, established in 1938, and Robertson & Watt which started life on the High Street in 1841. The clock hanging outside H Samuel was a popular meeting place for friends and lovers, known locally as ‘Duffer’s Corner’. 12. The Playhouse At one time, Dundee had more cinemas and seats per head than anywhere else in the UK. One of these was the Playhouse Cinema, owned by the Green family who envisaged a chain of these throughout the country. John Fairweather was the architect, and his design featured an 85-foot high illuminated tower above the entrance, a grand foyer and a tearoom which served also as a ballroom. It could seat 4,100 people – many more seats than the Caird Hall – and its cosy ‘chummy seats’ were popular with courting couples. The first films to be shown there in 1936 were ‘We’re In The Money’ and ‘Lady Tubbs’. The Playhouse later became the Mecca Bingo hall and may soon turn into a live music venue. 13. Wall sign for shoppers One of four charming signs which can be found on the wall of the former D. M. Brown department store, established in the High Street in 1888. D. M. Brown was acquired in 1952 by the House of Fraser Group and the store name was changed to Arnotts in 1972. During the Covid pandemic, the building served as a Covid Vaccination Centre. 14. Bulletin board This bulletin board says ‘Stitchers Meet For Yarn’ – a tongue-in-check reference to The Dundee Tapestry project. Whether it be to meet ‘doon the toon’ for a blether or to collect coloured yarn for stitching the 38 panels, this project has brought many like-minded folk together and formed new and lasting friendships. 15. Snapshot moments In the days before digital photography and camera phones, Dundee’s photo studios and developing shops did a roaring trade. Special moments were captured and developed by Jessops, Boots, Marlowe and I&N Photos, while the Tempest school photography team toured the city’s schools. 16. Pawnbroker’s sign Three golden balls are the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and Dundee had a few of its own: there was Dickson’s on the corner of Temple Lane, in West Port, and Mrs Elizabeth O'Ferrall on Tay Street. Today, you can still see a traditional pawnbroker’s sign hanging outside H&T, on the corner of Seagate. 17. Fashion shops Going ‘doon the toon’ as a teenager meant staying ahead of the latest fashion trends – from high street chain stores and fancy department stores to cut-price clothing markets. Indeed, the opening of Honey boutique in Cairds department store, which catered exclusively for young people, was a real innovation at the time. 18. Bakers Dundee’s famous for its pies and bridies which means it’s also a city with many bakeries – the most well-known being Goodfellow & Steven, Fisher & Donaldson, Clark’s, Wallace’s, Crawford’s, Bayne’s and Greggs. 19. The Wellgate Clock This popular clock was installed in the Wellgate Centre in 1978, and was constructed by Suffolk clockmakers Haward Horological Ltd. When its bells ring out on each quarter of the hour, the characters on each side become animated and doors open to reveal the nursery rhyme characters behind them. Many Dundee folk have fond memories of watching and listening to this spectacle, especially at noon when every door opens in turn. 20. Furniture stores Ask any Dundonian where they used to buy their furniture and the names Justice and Robertson are sure to be mentioned. Dundee-born Thomas Justice opened his first shop in Tally Street in 1872, and later established showrooms on Whitehall Street with a workshop behind. Meanwhile, John L. Robertson started buying and selling second-hand furniture in 1880 before moving into a smart, four-storey Art Deco-style building in Barrack Street, where the business continued until 2011. Less well-known were the East Brothers who had a quality chair-making business in the early 19th century. The factory started off in Albert Street, in the city centre, but moved to Lochee in 1899. 21. Time for tea (and coffee) Many of Dundee’s smartest shops had their own tearooms and coffee shops – including Draffens, G. L. Wilson’s and D. M. Brown – where waitresses dressed in black and white uniforms served up with a polite smile. For those preferring something more exotic than tea or coffee, Greenhills in the Overgate sold tasty Sarsaparillas. Today, J. B. Braithwaite Ltd still supplies customers with quality coffee to brew at home as it has done from the Castle Street shop since 1932. 22. Street musicians Scotland has a proud tradition of street-busking and Dundee is no different. One of the most recognisable buskers is Eric Gudmunsen, whose favourite spot outside Boots is depicted in this section. Among the songs he plays and sings is one of his own, written about the ‘Folk of Dundee’. 23. The City Square and Caird Hall The Caird Hall was formally opened in 1923 by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and is named after Sir James Caird, a local industrialist. He and his sister, Mrs Emma Grace Marryat, both donated funds to help complete the new City Square scheme in the 1930s. 24. Lilies & knots The white lilies at the top of this panel echo the vase of lilies that appears on Dundee’s coat of arms. The city’s emblem also features two dragons with their tails entwined in green Celtic knots – as stitched at the bottom of this panel. Up Up This panel was stitched by Christine Don Ervin Mackie Lynne Potts

  • Muggie Sha | The Dundee Tapestry

    Many of singer Michael Marra’s songs portrayed real or fictional characters, and he often sang about local pubs where people socialised – one of these songs was called ‘Muggie Sha’. This panel reflects the hard life of working women like Margaret Shaw (Muggie Sha’ in Dundee dialect), and acknowledges the role that Dundee’s pubs have always played in bringing local people together. DUNDEE CULTURE Up Up Muggie Sha’ Turning real life experiences into song Many of singer Michael Marra’s songs portrayed real or fictional characters, and he often sang about local pubs where people socialised – one of these songs was called ‘Muggie Sha’. This panel reflects the hard life of working women like Margaret Shaw (Muggie Sha’ in Dundee dialect), and acknowledges the role that Dundee’s pubs have always played in bringing local people together. 1. Muggie Sha’ Michael Marra’s song was the story of a fictional character, but Muggie was inspired by real women. In Edwardian times, many women in Dundee were the main breadwinner and they had the means, and the confidence, to socialise in the city’s bars. Some of the more disorderly women appeared on a blacklist of barred individuals or ‘known inebriates’ that were circulated by Dundee police at that time. Later, the posters were compiled in a book which Michael saw, and he used them as the starting point for his song. Although down on their luck, troubled, and banned from the city’s pubs, Michael felt these women deserved sympathy and recognition. 2. Book of Inebriates The ‘Known Inebriates’ book was published in 1905, and it included the names of people who had been convicted three times in a 12-month period, under the Inebriates Act of 1898. Those pictured in the book could be fined up to 40 shillings if they tried to buy alcohol again, and landlords could be fined up to £20 for serving them. Some of the women are shown on this panel in order to acknowledge the hard lives that they led and celebrate them as the ‘breadwinners’ in their day. 3. Lyrics from ‘Muggie Sha’ This is the chorus from Michael Marra’s song: “But eh’m no as bad as Muggie Sha She hiz tae drink at the tap of the La’ Barred from Bissells, me ana But eh’m no as bad as Muggie Sha” 4. Local bars Around the edges of the panel are some of the pubs in Dundee that participated in the ban: Bissells (The Polepark Bar) – Polepark Road The Old Toll Bar – Lochee The Phoenix – Nethergate The Pillars – Crichton Street Mennies (The Speedwell Bar) – Perth Road Fisherman’s Tavern – Broughty Ferry Taybridge Bar – Perth Road Ladywell Tavern – Victoria Road 5. Beers produced at the time With the current craft beer revival, it’s interesting to look back at what was being brewed in the Dundee area and served up in bars the early 1900s. They included: Ballingall’s Dundee Strong Ale George Willsher & Co. Bitter Table Beer Robb’s Bitter Beer WH Brown Imperial Stout Up Up This panel was stitched by Jane McCool Margaret Purvis Sheila Watson

  • Whaling | The Dundee Tapestry

    Dundee’s whaling industry was significant in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whale oil was used to soften jute fibres for weaving, to provide heat and light in homes and factories, and to lubricate machinery in the jute mills. Whale bones were also exported from Dundee across Europe. This panel reflects on important whaling ships at that time and where they sailed, and how the memory of Dundee’s whaling industry lives on in street names close to the city’s port – like Whale Lane. DUNDEE INDUSTRY Up Up Whaling The story of Dundee’s whaling industry Some might disapprove today, but Dundee’s whaling industry was significant in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whale oil was used to soften jute fibres for weaving, to provide heat and light in homes and factories, and to lubricate machinery in the jute mills. Whale bones were also exported from Dundee to furniture-makers and corset-makers across Europe. This panel reflects on important whaling ships at that time and where they sailed, and how the memory of Dundee’s whaling industry lives on in street names close to the city’s port – like Baffin Street, named after Baffin Bay near Greenland, and Whale Lane. 1. Whale Dundee whalers hunted for baleen whales whose toothless jaws contained strong, supple whalebone – a valuable commodity for export. The most commonly hunted whale in this group was the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus (shown in the centre of this panel) which could be up to 60ft (18m) long, with a huge skull to break through thick Arctic ice. Despite its size, this whale was easier to catch because it swam more slowly. Blubber from the whales was then chopped up and placed in barrels to be brought home to Dundee for processing. 2. Whaling ships & boats Whaling ships were built, or adapted, to cope with icy water, but smaller open boats were used to hunt for the whales. Typically, Dundee whaling ships would head north from Dundee to Orkney or Shetland, then across the Atlantic to St John’s in Newfoundland or north to the Greenland Sea. Dundee’s first whaling ship is believed to be the ‘Bonny Dundee’: it left the port in 1753 on a voyage to the Greenland Sea, and caught four whales. By 1890, Dundee was the only UK whaling port still in existence. 3. Northern Lights Greenland is one of the best places to see this natural phenomenon, but the sight of the Northern Lights is unlikely to have made up for the extreme dangers associated with whaling life. 4. Walrus and Seal Walruses and seals were also hunted in the 18th and 19th centuries, for their tusks, skin and meat, and for blubber to make oil. 5. Whale oil An essential lubricant used in the production of jute. It was also used for lamps, soap production, varnish, explosives and paint amongst other things. 6. Ropes Long, heavy ropes were attached to harpoons and, once the whale had been impaled, it was towed back to the whaling ship. Dundee had its own ropemakers and a ready supply of jute. 7. Grapple hook This sharp, multi-purpose tool was commonly used by whalers. 8. Lyrics from ‘The Balaena’ ‘The Balaena’ is a folk song/sea shanty about one of Dundee’s steam-powered whaling vessels. The first ship to be modified was the ‘Tay’, and subsequent steam-powered whaling ships included ‘Balaena’, ‘Active’, ‘Diana’, and ‘Polar Star’. As whales grew scarce in the Arctic from over-hunting, these four ships were sent to the Antarctic in 1892, to search for whales there. The whales in this region were too large to catch, so the men on board hunted for seals and penguins instead. One unexpected result of the expedition was the discovery of an uncharted island: Thomas Robertson, the captain of the ‘Active’, named it Dundee Island. 9. Harpoons Whalers used this tool to wound the whale. Made from iron or steel, with a barbed head to ‘catch’ in the whale’s flesh, harpoons were usually mounted on a pole and attached to a long rope. 10. Ribbons Whaling ships were away from home for many months, with men hunting in treacherous waters for their livelihood. Wives of whalers would give them a ribbon with knots tied in it, to signify how many whales they would catch. Up Up This panel was stitched by Dennie Anderson-White Evelyn Baker Karen Bennett Jackie Berg John Berg Patricia Duffett-Smith Patricia Gibson Liz Law Jill Muchall Holly Turner

  • Dundee’s influence on the World | The Dundee Tapestry

    At the centre of this panel is the magnificent Royal Arch, a monument built close to the port of Dundee to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria in 1844. While the arch was there, it represented Dundee’s wealth, its success in the jute and linen industries, and its influence on the rest of the world. INTERNATIONAL DUNDEE Up Up Dundee’s influence on the World Success at home and further afield At the centre of this panel is the magnificent Royal Arch, a monument built close to the port of Dundee to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria in 1844. While the arch was there, it represented Dundee’s wealth, its success in the jute and linen industries, and its influence on the rest of the world. 1. The Royal Arch Erected to commemorate a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Dundee in 1844 – the city’s first Royal visit since the 17th century – this triumphal arch stood tall until 1964, when the land was reclaimed to build the Tay Road Bridge. A competition decided upon its designer, and the winner was John Thomas Rochead, an architect from Glasgow who also designed the Wallace Monument in Stirling. The resulting arch – some 80 feet across – used to stand over the access onto the pier, between Earl Grey Dock and King William IV Dock. The recent discovery of some original slabs from the Royal Arch, during work on the Waterfront development, could lead to future restoration work. The arch between V&A Dundee’s two conjoined buildings can be interpreted as a nod to the Royal Arch – particularly as it maintains the connection with Victoria and Albert. 2. Royal Exchange Designed by David Bryce in 1854-55 as a place for the city’s increasingly wealthy textile merchants to meet and do business, the Royal Exchange on Panmure Street was built on marshland just north of the original city walls. It was modelled in the style of Flemish cloth halls and should have been crowned with an impressive steeple, but the waterlogged ground meant the foundations kept slipping. Today, the building carries a Category ‘A’ listing. 3. Linen trade Dundee’s linen industry preceded jute. Flax was imported from Russia and the Baltic states, then Dundee’s linen mills turned the fibres into a rough cloth. This was exported to make sails for ships, wagon-covers and clothing for enslaved people. 4. Juteopolis Switching from linen to jute turned out to be a profitable decision by Dundee’s wealthy mill-owners. The burgeoning jute industry stimulated shipbuilding when jute barons like William Cox began to build their own ships from around 1874. It also benefited the whaling trade which had previously begun to decline when gas lighting reduced the need for whale oil. Expansion of these industries attracted workers to Dundee and, by 1901, the city’s population had quadrupled. Although jute production fell from the early 1900s, the jute industry remained Dundee’s biggest employer until the early 1950s. 5. Millionaires’ Row At the height of the jute trade, the ‘jute barons’ and mill-owners were extremely wealthy. Many used their wealth to build large mansions in nearby Broughty Ferry – conveniently close to the mills, but far enough to escape the noise and squalor of the city itself. In 1861, the UK census recorded 33 millionaires living in one square mile of Dundee (the West Ferry district) – a greater concentration than anywhere else in the British Empire. 6. Robert Stirling Newall Born in Dundee, Robert Stirling Newall (1812-1889) was an engineer who patented a design for wire ropes and, later, transformed undersea telegraph cables – including those laid under the Atlantic Ocean. Robert went on to become a noted amateur astronomer, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1864 and of the Royal Society in 1875. 7. Robert Fleming Robert Fleming (1845-1933) was born and brought up in Dundee. After being introduced to the stock market by textile merchant Edward Baxter, Robert established the First Scottish American Trust in February 1873 and became an accomplished investment manager. In 1890, he headed to London and founded his own successful merchant bank. His grandson, Ian Fleming, created the character of ‘James Bond’. Up Up This panel was stitched by Christine Brady Kadri Kaasik Pat Nelson

  • Dundee Education | The Dundee Tapestry

    Dundee is an important destination for learning. Over 200 schools have existed in the city at one time or another, including church schools, private and charitable schools, and half-time schools – these were very common in the 19th century, when children combined working in the mills with part-time education. The city also has two Universities and several colleges. Up Up Dundee Education People and places that taught Dundee Dundee is an important destination for learning. Over 200 schools have existed in the city at one time or another, including church schools, private and charitable schools, and half-time schools – these were very common in the 19th century, when children combined working in the mills with part-time education. The city also has two Universities and several colleges. 1. Dundee libraries Dundee’s libraries are believed to originate in the 13th century, but it was philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who brought many more books to the people of Dundee. In 1901, he wrote to the Free Public Library in the Albert Institute (now The McManus), and offered to pay for four branch libraries and a new central Reading Room in the city. Arthurstone Library in east Dundee was built between 1902 and 1905 on land purchased from local mill-owners, Baxter Brothers, and it was followed by Blackness Library (the western branch) and Coldside Library (the northern branch) which both opened on the same day in 1908. Later, Coldside would serve as an Air Raid Precautions post in wartime, and it was also home to Dundee’s BBC Radio recording studio from 1949 to 1978. St Roques Reading Room in Blackscroft was built in 1910, and it was the only library in Dundee to have its own landscaped garden. Finally, the Central Reading Rooms were built between 1908 and 1911 at the corner of Ward Road and Barrack Street. This library was opened by Andrew Carnegie himself in 1911, and was replaced in 1979 by the new Central Library in the Wellgate Centre. The Barrack St building now houses the Dundee Museum’s Collections Unit and the city’s History, Archaeology and Natural History collections. 2. University of Dundee In 1881, at a time when women were not allowed to earn a degree, the University of Dundee was established by Mary Ann Baxter who insisted that women also be allowed to study there. Initially, the institution was a sub-college of the University of St Andrews but the University of Dundee gained independent university status by royal charter in 1967. 3. HMS ‘Mars’ Built at Chatham in 1848, the HMS ‘Mars’ saw service during the Crimean War before being re-tasked in 1869 as a training ship. She became infamous as Dundee’s ‘bad boys ship’ when she hosted more than 6,000 homeless and destitute boys from across Scotland. In 1929, the decaying ‘Mars’ was decommissioned. 4. Dundee Technical Institute The Dundee Technical Institute opened in 1888, training jute engineers and spinners, and offering courses in Electricity, Construction and Telegraphy. Later, new courses were developed to reflect new industries in Dundee – like Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture and Electrical Engineering. The Institute moved to Bell Street in 1910, and was renamed Dundee Technical College & School of Art. 5. Professor Dame Sue Black Professor Black is a Scottish forensic expert, who served as Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee from 2003 to 2018. In 2005, she created the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification in Dundee (CAHID). 6. Sir James Arthur Ewing Born and educated in Dundee, Sir James became the University College’s first Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 1883. Having previously visited Japan, he was appalled by the living conditions in Dundee and he worked hard to improve amenities and sewerage in the city, and to lower the infant mortality rate. The University of Dundee’s Ewing Building was built in 1954 and named in his honour. 7. Abertay University The Dundee Technical Institute gradually evolved into what we know today as Abertay University. Established in 1994, the university is synonymous with video games and cybersecurity, and its Research team devises innovative solutions to complex local and global challenges. 8. Dundee Science Centre Opened in July 2000, Dundee Science Centre hosts school visits, runs a programme of STEM clubs for local schoolchildren, and provides teaching resources via its Learning Hub. 9. Al-Maktoum College Scotland’s first-ever institute for Arabic and Islamic studies opened in 2001, with a mosque on its campus and its own publishing press. The College has established partnerships with the University of Dundee and Abertay University. 10. Annie Lamont Annie Keir Lamont studied Telegraphy and Telephony – the early precursor to information technology – at Dundee Technical Institute in 1904, and went on to become a trailblazer for women in Dundee politics. She was a Labour Party candidate in the local election of 1924, a keen poet, and a member of the Dundee Parliament debating society. 11. The James Hutton Institute A globally recognised research organisation whose work looks at how science can help to drive more sustainable use of land, crops and natural resources. 12. Dundee School of Art In 1961, Dundee Technical College was renamed Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, and gradually evolved into a stand-alone organisation by 1975. It remained independent until 1994, when it became part of the University of Dundee. 13. Dundee schools The Education (Scotland) Act in 1872 made education compulsory for children of a certain age. Dundee currently has more than 40 schools, some of which are named around the edges of this panel. Up Up This panel was stitched by Susan Allen Kirstie Campbell Cath Gardiner Kate McCubbin

  • Cinemas and Dancehalls | The Dundee Tapestry

    The city’s first-ever ’moving picture show’ was unveiled by cinema pioneer Peter Feathers in Castle Street in 1896 and, at one point, Dundee had 75 cinemas. The city was big on bars and nightclubs, too. Bob and Betty Barty ran the Star Ballroom in Lochee for many years, and taught disco and ballroom to generations of dance-loving Dundonians. Meanwhile, Northern Soul fans would take to the floor at Marryat Hall and The Nine Maidens, or catch the bus to the legendary Wigan Casino. DUNDEE CULTURE Up Up Cinemas and Dancehalls Places to dance and dream Favourite entertainment venues are honoured on this panel. The city’s first-ever ’moving picture show’ was unveiled by cinema pioneer Peter Feathers in Castle Street in 1896 and, at one point, Dundee had 75 cinemas. The city was big on bars and nightclubs, too. Bob and Betty Barty ran the Star Ballroom in Lochee for many years, and taught disco and ballroom to generations of dance-loving Dundonians. Meanwhile, Northern Soul fans would take to the floor at Marryat Hall and The Nine Maidens, or catch the bus from Lindsay Street to the legendary Wigan Casino. Here, we celebrate current and long-gone venues that are still loved and remembered by the people of Dundee. Up Up This panel was stitched by Meg Bartram Susan Falconer Louise Laing Valeen Lyons Ann Ross Susan Scott Sheena Sigsworth

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