Dundee Culture and Leisure & Culture Dundee renew Mills Observatory partnership ahead of its 90th anniversary

Dundee Culture founder Andrew Batchelor and Leisure & Culture Dundee Engagement Officer Paul Campbell at Mills Observatory (Picture: Kevin Mcginley)

Dundee Culture and Leisure & Culture Dundee are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership for Mills Observatory as the city prepares to mark the observatory’s 90th anniversary this season.

First launched in October 2024, the partnership played a significant role in raising public awareness of Mills Observatory during a time of uncertainty.

Increased visibility and engagement through Dundee Culture helped support the wider efforts of the team at Leisure & Culture Dundee and the additional funding, from a range of sources, that ultimately safeguarded the future of the observatory for a number of years following a threat of closure.

Thanks in part to this collaboration, the 2024/25 season saw an outstanding resurgence in visitor numbers – making it the most successful season in the observatory’s 89-year history.

Dundee Culture has been promoting Mills Observatory as a partner since the 2024/25 season (Picture: Kevin Mcginley)

Throughout the past season, Dundee Culture showcased a wide range of content, from event coverage and behind-the-scenes insights to guided tours of the iconic hilltop site.

This season, the partnership will build on that momentum with a focus on rich storytelling, interactive content, and increased video features, all commemorating the observatory’s nine-decade legacy.

Andrew Batchelor, founder of Dundee Culture, said:

“It’s fantastic to see Dundee Culture continue its relationship with Leisure & Culture Dundee for Mills Observatory.

This partnership has transformed Dundee Culture in the best way possible, contributing to our strongest performance ever by the end of the 2024/25 season.

Last season was quite literally out of this world, with so many visitors making the journey up Balgay Hill to look up at the stars.

With the observatory’s 90th anniversary upon us and new funding secured to renovate the first floor, this season is truly one to celebrate.”

Anna Day, Head of Cultural Services and Libraries at Leisure & Culture Dundee said:

“The 2024/25 season was a huge success and we're grateful to Dundee Culture for working alongside us to raise awareness and bring in a record number of visitors.

We're excited about celebrating the 90th anniversary of Mills Observatory and look forward to working with Andrew at Dundee Culture again to help promote our fantastic programme of events throughout this winter season.”

Details of the 2025/26 programme will be revealed in due course, along with announcements about new partnership content being developed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages.

The partnership in part played a role in the resurgence of the observatory (Picture: Johanna Achkasov)

The return of Mills Observatory to the public spotlight has been a triumph for community support and cultural collaboration.

What was once under threat has now been transformed into one of Dundee’s most celebrated landmarks - a place where science, heritage and curiosity come together.

The observatory reopens in October for its 90th anniversary season (Picture: Kevin Mcginley)

With a packed season of astronomical events ahead, including meteor showers, supermoons, planetary moments, Mills Observatory’s 90th anniversary season is shaping up to be one to remember.

The winter season at Mills Observatory begins on 1 October 2025 and runs until the end of March 2026.