We’re currently in the middle of the Dundee Fortnight – a long-standing summer tradition where the city slows down, families take time off, and many Dundonians head off for a well-earned break.

While it might not bring the same citywide shutdown it once did, the Fortnight is still an important part of Dundee’s cultural calendar.

From its industrial roots to its modern-day charm, here are 10 cool facts about this unique local holiday.

It originally began as a trades holiday

The Dundee Fortnight originated as a trades holiday, aligning with the city’s strong industrial heritage. Factories, particularly in jute and textiles, would shut down completely, giving workers and their families a rare and well-earned break. It was one of the few times in the year when the clatter of machinery in the mills would fall silent.

Streets were once emptied

Until as recently as the 1960s, the Fortnight saw Dundee practically empty. Workers would pack up their cases and queue at railway stations, bus depots, and even the Tay Fifies to get away. Locals recall quiet streets, shuttered shops and a sudden calm that settled over the city.

Broughty Ferry was a favourite

While some travelled further afield, many didn’t need to go far. Broughty Ferry – with its beach, rock pools and fresh sea air – was a popular holiday spot. Others would head to nearby Wormit, Newport-on-Tay, and even as far as the East Neuk and St Andrews for their summer retreat.

Dundee’s mills would fall silent

At its peak, the holiday meant an almost total industrial shutdown. Dundee’s jute mills, which dominated the city’s economy, would close entirely. The silence from the mills became symbolic – a pause not only in production but in the rhythm of life itself.

Public services still have limited schedules

While the scale of the holiday has reduced over time, some echoes remain. Public services often run on limited schedules – for example, buses have operated on a Sunday timetable and libraries have previously closed on the Fortnight’s first day.

It is Dundee’s answer to the Glasgow Fair

The Dundee Fortnight has long mirrored the Glasgow Fair in its mass exodus feel. Just as Glasgow would empty out for the fair, Dundee too would become noticeably quieter as families left the city, sometimes just for the day, other times for weeks.

It is still a popular holiday time

Although modern businesses no longer shut down in the same way, many Dundonians still take time off during the Fortnight. Schools are off, universities are out for summer, and it’s still a common time to book holidays – meaning the tradition lives on, just in a quieter form.

It was a break for the working class

This was more than just a holiday – it was a cultural moment for working-class families. In a time when time off was rare and expensive, the Fortnight gave everyone the same chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with family, no matter their income.

The wider local area benefited from the Fortnight

Coastal towns, beaches and caravan parks would prepare well in advance for the Dundee Fortnight crowds. Fife, Angus, and other parts of the east coast would be bustling with visiting Dundonians, helping boost their local economies for the summer.

It is a tradition that’s enduring quietly

Today, the Fortnight may no longer halt the city in its tracks, but there’s still a sense of collective pause. With schools shut, quieter streets and locals heading off on holiday, you can still feel the legacy of those historic summer getaways each year.

From the rumble of mill closures to the sound of waves in Broughty Ferry, the Dundee Fortnight remains a beloved part of the city’s culture. Even as Dundee moves forward, it’s comforting to know that the spirit of the Fortnight – rest, reflection and a little adventure – is still alive.