As 2025 approaches, Dundee is preparing to celebrate a host of significant anniversaries, milestones, and commemorations.
From historic landmarks to modern achievements, here are the key events to look forward to:
A Decade on the World Stage
2025 will mark 10 years since Dundee gained international recognition, starting with a 2015 feature in GQ Magazine. This spotlight was the first of many, highlighting Dundee’s burgeoning creative, design, life sciences, and tech industries. It cemented the city’s place as a hub of innovation and transformation.
Dundee Law War Memorial: 100 Years
The Dundee Law War Memorial, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, will commemorate its centenary in 2025. Installed atop the Law in 1925, this beloved structure honours those lost during the Great War and World War II, standing as a poignant reminder of Dundee’s sacrifices.
Mills Observatory: 90 Years
Celebrating 90 years since its opening, the Mills Observatory remains a jewel in Dundee’s crown. As the UK’s first purpose-built public observatory, it continues to inspire wonder, welcoming an astounding 127% surge in visitors in 2024 thanks to social media campaigns.
DC Thomson: 120 Years
One of Dundee’s most famous institutions, DC Thomson, turns 120. From The Beano and Oor Wullie to The Courier and Evening Telegraph, this publishing giant has been a cornerstone of local and national culture for over a century.
James Bowman Lindsay: 190 Years of Innovation
It’s been 190 years since James Bowman Lindsay demonstrated the world’s first constant electric light bulb in Dundee. His groundbreaking work laid the foundations for later advancements by inventors like Thomas Edison.
Remembering the Battle of Loos: 110 Years
Dundee will also mark 110 years since the Battle of Loos, honouring the sacrifices made by the 4th (City of Dundee) Battalion Black Watch during one of World War I’s most devastating battles.
St Paul’s Cathedral: 170 Years
Designed by the renowned architect George Gilbert Scott, St Paul’s Cathedral will celebrate its 170th anniversary in 2025. This stunning Gothic Revival building remains a landmark of Dundee’s architectural heritage.
Harris Academy: 140 Years
Dundee’s oldest public school, Harris Academy, turns 140. First opening in Park Place in 1885, it later moved to Perth Road in 1931, Lawton Road in 2013, and back to its state-of-the-art campus on Perth Road in 2016.
Dundee Science Centre: 25 Years
Marking a quarter-century, the Dundee Science Centre has been inspiring curiosity and innovation since it opened at the turn of the millennium. It remains a popular attraction for families and schools alike.
Overgate: 25 Years
The Overgate celebrates 25 years as Dundee’s premier shopping destination. With new stores like Frasers, Mango, and Flannels set to open, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for retail in the city.
Dundee Museum of Transport: 15 Years
The Dundee Museum of Transport turns 15 in 2025. This milestone could also mark the start of an exciting new chapter as the museum works towards relocating to the historic Maryfield Tram Depot.
With these anniversaries and commemorations, 2025 will be a year of reflection, celebration, and anticipation for Dundee’s bright future.
