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Issue 22 - Dundee & the Kingdom of Fife

History & Heritage

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Scotland Magazine Issue 22

Scotland Magazine Issue 22
August 2005

 

This article is 6 years old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.

Copyright Scotland Magazine © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.

Dundee & the Kingdom of Fife

Sally Toms provides a selection of places to visit, places to eat and places to stay in the region

Dundee & the Kingdom of Fife (Issue 22)
WHERE TO VISIT.

Dundee.

Broughty Museum
Broughty Ferry
15th century coastal fort, featuring a museum of local history and wildlife. Specialises in the history of whaling, and includes armoury and an observation post.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 436 916

Camperdown Park
Coupar Angus Road
A total of 395 acres of parkland, includes golf course and wildlife centre.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 431 811

Dundee Contemporary Art
Nethergate
The cutting edge of contemporary art, and a popular place to eat and drink.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 909 900

Mills Observatory
Glamis Road, Balgay Park
Britain’s only full-time public observatory; a planetarium and many exhibits.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 435 967

Discovery Point
Discovery Quay
An award winning attraction and museum that tells the story of Captain Scott’s famous ship RRS Discovery, built here in 1900.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 201 245

Dundee Law
Few cities have a viewpoint such as this. It’s 571ft (174m) with panoramics of the town and the Tay beyond.

Sensation:Dundee
Greenmarket
More than 60 innovative and interactive exhibits exploring the five senses. For all the family.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 228 800

Verdant Works
West Henderson’s Wynd
Award winning heritage museum detailing Dundee’s important Jute history, a plant fibre from India used to make sacks and cloth. High tech and not at all as dull as it sounds.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 225 282

Fife

Aberdour Castle
Aberdour
14th century castle largely ruined but with many interesting features including a delightful walled garden and terraces with beehive-shaped dovecot. Well worth a visit.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 860 519

Deep Sea World
Nr. Queensferry
Featuring the world's longest underwater viewing tunnel and a fascinating array of marine life. An all weather attraction and the kids’ favourite.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 411 411

Dunfermline Abbey
Margaret Street, Dunfermline
Abbey dating from 11th century, Robert the Bruce is buried here. Next door are the remains of Dunfermline palace, also worth a look.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 739 026

Falkland Palace
Falkland Superb 16th century residence of the Stuart monarchs. Many rooms restored. A must-see.
Tel: +44 (0)1337 857 397

Scotland’s Secret Bunker
Anstruther
Underground labyrinth built in the 1950s that would have been one of Britain’s command centres in case of nuclear war. 24,000 square feet of secret accommodation on two levels.
Tel: +44 (0)1333 310 301

Scottish Fisheries Museum
Harbourhead, Anstruther
Excellent museum that details the history of herring and whaling industries, once the mainstay of the local economy.
Tel: +44 (0)1333 310 628

St Andrews Cathedral
North Street, St Andrews
One of the largest and most magnificent cathedrals in Britain. Great views from the top of the church tower.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 472 563

St Andrews Golf
St Andrews
Golf has been played here for 600 years and it is possibly the world’s most famous course, yet anyone can play here. However, booking is essential.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 466 666 Where to eat.

Dundee

Cath Rennie’s Restaurant
Mattocks Road, Wellbank
Fine country cooking prepared by skilful chefs.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 350 328

Deep Sea
Nethergate
This restaurant has provided Dundonians with excellent fish and chips since 1939.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 224 449

Dil Se
Perth Road
Bangladeshi restaurant, a massive hit with the locals.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 221 501

The Fishermans
Tavern Hotel Fort Street, Broughty Ferry
Fantastic bar lunches and real ale. Also have rooms.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 775 941

Incredible Roll Inn
Whitehall Crescent
100 different types of hot and cold filled rolls. A great place for a quick snack.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 221 589

Raffles
Perth Road
A lively bar-come-bistro close to the University.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 226 344

The Ship Inn
Broughty Ferry
Cosy pub and no-nonsense Scottish menu. Great views overlooking the Tay.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 779 176

Twin City Café
City Square
A pleasant central café with outdoor tables in the summer.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 223 662

Fife

The Cellar East Green,
Anstruther
Excellent fishy restaurant tucked away in this lively East Neuk town.
Tel: +44 (0)1333 310 378

The Greenhouse
High Street, Falkland
Light and friendly bistro restaurant serving dinner and Sunday lunch.
Tel: +44 (0)1337 858 400

Old Rectory
West Quality Street, Dysart
Good food with a European flavour. Choice of three dining areas all with different atmosphere.
Tel: +44 (0)1592 651 211

Ostler’s Close Bonnygate,
Cupar
Fine dining restaurant tucked away in a Cupar side street, but firmly placed on the gastronomic map. Big on organic produce.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 655 574

The Peat Inn
Cupar
One of the great Scottish restaurants. Also has rooms for staying the night, handy because of its secluded location.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 840 206

The Seafood Restaurant
The Scores, St Andrews
Unpretentious fish restaurant in perfect setting. Another outlet in St Monans.
Tel: +44 (0)1333 479 475

The Townhouse East Port,
Dunfermline
The best in town. Light, modern menu and atmosphere.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 432 382

Valente’s Overton Road,
Kirkaldy
Simply the best take-away fish and chips. Queues everyday.
Tel: +44 (0)1592 651 991

WHERE TO STAY

Dundee

The Apex West
Victoria Dock Road
The designer hotel chain’s Dundee outpost. Good reputation for food.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 202 404

Hillside Guest House
Constitution Street
Spacious Victorian guest house north of city centre.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 223 443

Hilton Riverside
Business orientated hotel but with good facilities.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 229 271

Hotel Broughty Ferry
West Queen Street,
Broughty Ferry Relatively small four star hotel also with good leisure facilities.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 480 027

Queen’s Hotel
Nethergate
Grand Victorian hotel in Dundee’s lively west end.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 322 515

Riverview Caravan Park
Marine Drive, Monifeith
Attractive campsite near the beach and only five miles east of the city centre. For those on a budget.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 535 375

The Shaftesbury
Hyndford Street
A comfortable hotel that was once the mansion of a Dundee jute baron.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 669 216

Woodlands
Broughty Ferry
Manor house in substantial acreage. Thirty eight rooms and a popular wedding venue.
Tel: +44 (0)1382 480 027

Fife

Balbirnie House
Markinch, Glenrothes
A comfortable country house hotel with a high standard of service. Orangery restaurant has two AA rosettes.
Tel: +44 (0)1592 610 066

Cambo Estate Kingsbarns,
Nr. Crail
A handful of rooms and cottages attached to a huge country manner and gorgeous gardens. Self catering in style.
Tel: +44 (0)1333 450 054

Dunnikier House
Kirkcaldy
18th century country house hotel in a quiet location. Fifteen rooms.
Tel: +44 (0)1592 268 393

Keavil House Hotel
Crossfor, Dunfermline
Rambling mansion converted into modern business-type hotel.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 736 258

Old Course Hotel
St Andrews
The world famous golf hotel. The spa is luxurious and the restaurants are fantastic.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 474 371

Rufflets Strathkinness
Low Road, St Andrews
Peaceful country house hotel on outskirts of town. Excellent restaurant and gardens.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 472 594

St Andrews Bay
St Andrews
Modern golf hotel, excellent facilities and fine dining.
Tel: +44 (0)1334 837 000

Woodside Hotel
High Street, Aberdour
Grand historic inn in picturesque village. Twenty rooms, recently refurbished.
Tel: +44 (0)1383 860 328

EVENTS
St Andrews Week
Held in the week leading up to St Andrews Day:
November 30
http://www.standrewsweek.co.uk

St Andrews Highland Games
Held on the North Haugh on the last Sunday in July
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk

Dundee Flower and Food Festival
First week in September
http://www.dundeeflowerandfoodfestival.com

Contact local tourist office for more information

HOW TO GET THERE

By Road

Dundee and Fife are served by an excellent network of roads.

Stagecoach
Tel: +44 (0)1738 629 339
http://www.stagecoachbus.com

Citylink
Tel: +44 (0)8705 505 050
http://www.citylink.co.uk

Arnold Clark Car Rental
Tel: +44 (0)1382 225 382
http://www.arnoldclark.co.uk

By Rail

Fife is easily accessible by rail via Perth and Edinburgh, and the track continues into Dundee over the Tay Rail Bridge. Details about rail travel within Scotland are available on Scotrail Web Site: http://www.firstscotrail.com Or by calling Rail Enquiries Tel: +44 (0)345 484 950

By Air

Dundee is little more than an hour’s drive from international airports at Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dundee Airport also offers regular flights direct to London and Manchester.

Dundee Airport
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1382 662 200

Edinburgh Airport
http://www.edinburghairport.com
Tel: +44 (0)131 333 1000

Glasgow Airport
http://www.glasgowairport.com
Tel: +44 (0)141 887 1111

Aberdeen Airport
http://www.aberdeenairport.com
Tel: +44 (0)1224 722 331

CONTACT INFO

Useful websites
http://www.visitscotland.com
http://www.angusanddundee.co.uk
http://www.standrews.co.uk
http://www.dundee.com
http://www.fifedirect.org.uk

Tourist Information Centres

Dundee
21 Castle Street, Dundee, DD1 3AA
Tel: +44 (0)1382 527 527

Fife
Haig Business Park, Balgonie Road, Markinch, Fife, KY7 6AQ
Tel: + 44 (0) 1334 472 021