Celebrations announced in Dundee to mark the RRS Discovery’s 125th anniversary

Dundee is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone in its maritime history as RRS Discovery marks 125 years since the ship was launched on the River Tay.

A full day of special events will take place at Discovery Point on Saturday 21 March 2026, commemorating the moment the famous Antarctic research vessel began its journey from Dundee to the frozen south.

Built in Dundee and launched in 1901, Discovery became one of the most famous ships in the history of exploration. Commanded by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the vessel carried a pioneering British Antarctic expedition that helped unlock new scientific knowledge about one of the most remote regions on Earth.

The ship remains one of the city’s most recognisable historic landmarks, welcoming visitors from around the world to learn about the story of exploration, science and Dundee’s shipbuilding heritage.

Here is a listing of events happening on Saturday 21 March at Discovery Point and RRS Discovery to mark the occasion!

Explore Discovery Point and RRS Discovery – 10am to 5pm

The celebrations begin in the morning as Discovery Point opens its doors for visitors to explore the ship and museum galleries. Guests can journey through more than ten interactive exhibition spaces, experience life in Dundee in 1901 inside the Discovery Dome, and then step aboard the historic vessel itself.

Walking the decks of the ship offers a unique chance to follow in the footsteps of Scott and his crew, discovering how the men lived and worked during their groundbreaking Antarctic expedition. The ship will be open to visitors until 2:30pm, while the Discovery Point galleries remain open until 5pm.

Special £12.50 family pass offer – available all day

To mark the anniversary, families will be able to visit Discovery Point and RRS Discovery for a significantly reduced price. A special £12.50 family pass will be available throughout the day, allowing two adults and up to three children to explore the attraction together.

The one-day offer represents a saving of more than 60% on standard admission prices and aims to encourage families to experience one of Dundee’s most important historic landmarks as part of the celebrations.

Terms and conditions apply.

125 Discovery mast climb experience – 10:30am and 12:30pm

The mast climb experience is a new addition to the museum (Picture: Supplied)

One of the most unique experiences of the day will see a small group of visitors take part in a special 125 Discovery Mast Climb. Participants will follow in the footsteps of the ship’s original crew by climbing more than 80 feet into the rigging before scaling the yard arm high above the ship.

After reaching the top, climbers will descend in dramatic fashion by zip-lining back down to the quayside. The experience will conclude with a Captain’s Toast in the ship’s elegant Wardroom, hosted by Ali Gellatly, Ship’s Director at Dundee Heritage Trust, alongside Stewart MacKay, Captain of the 2012 RRS Discovery.

Only 24 spaces are available across the two sessions, making it one of the most exclusive ways to celebrate Discovery’s 125th birthday.

Unseen Discoveries exhibition opens – from 21 March 2026

A brand new exhibition will also open on the anniversary day, offering visitors the opportunity to see rarely displayed artefacts from the historic Antarctic expedition. The Unseen Discoveries exhibition will feature items from the 1901 to 1904 voyage including handwritten diaries, scrapbooks, toolboxes and personal belongings used by members of the crew.

Running until March 2027, the exhibition aims to bring the personal stories of the expedition to life, highlighting the everyday experiences of the men who sailed aboard the famous Dundee-built ship.

Discovery’s 125th birthday celebration – 3pm

The day will reach its highlight at 3pm when music and speeches will mark the exact moment that Discovery was launched 125 years earlier only metres from where the vessel now sits.

Visitors will be invited to gather for a special commemorative moment celebrating the ship’s historic launch and the pioneering Antarctic expedition that followed. The celebration will include speeches reflecting on the ship’s legacy, live music and birthday cake as Dundee honours one of its most iconic creations.

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More than a century after it first set sail, Discovery remains a powerful symbol of Dundee’s spirit of innovation and exploration.

The 125th anniversary celebrations promise to honour that legacy while giving a new generation the chance to step aboard and experience the ship’s remarkable story for themselves.