History: Aberdeen to Dundee

Broughty Castle was completed in 1496 and sits on a rocky promontory at the mouth of the River Tay. It houses fascinating displays all about the life and times of Broughty Ferry’s citizens and has magnificent views over the river.

Claypotts Castle is compact but impressive z plan castle dating back to the 1560’s. The walls are pierced by gunloops and shot holes testifying to the troubled times that existed when it was built. The castle was home to John Graham of Claverhouse in the mid to late 1600’s, notorious for his bloody persecution of Covenanters in Galloway, but also more kindly remembered for achieving victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 in the Jacobite cause, during which he was killed.

The V&A Dundee presents the brilliance of Scottish creativity and the best of design from around the world. The museum, which opened in September 2018 was designed by renowned award winning Japanese architects Kengo Kuma & Associates and is itself a testament to great design.

There are 8 galleries within the McManus, laid out on two floors. Learn about the 400 million year geology of the area and witness how a small settlement developed into the City of Dundee. Exhibits range from the life of early man in the area to magnificent paintings and decorative art. Highlights include paintings by Sir Henry Raeburn and John Lavery.