Dundee Day: Celebrations take place online as Dundee celebrates 137 years of city status
- Andrew Batchelor
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Dundee marked 137 years of city status on January 26, with organisations, businesses and well-known faces sharing messages of pride as Dundee Day celebrations took over social media.
The date commemorates the moment in 1889 when Queen Victoria granted Dundee its city charter.
Abertay University highlighted the historical importance of the day, reminding followers that Dundee officially became a city on January 26, 1889.
Their post encouraged people to reflect on the city’s past while celebrating Dundee Day with a series of fun facts.
Xplore Dundee also joined the celebrations, describing Dundee as Scotland’s first official city and praising its rich heritage alongside its ongoing role in design, culture and innovation.
Their message focused on the pride of being part of a city that continues to move forward while honouring its roots.
For Dundee Culture, the announcement of a new exhibition in Toronto, which will have Dundee as a significant focus, sparked joy and excitement on social media.
Several Dundee-based companies shared thoughtful reflections on what the city means to them, focusing on community, creativity and long-standing ties to the area rather than direct promotion.
Posts spoke about Dundee’s industrial past, its creative present and the sense of pride that comes with building a future in the city.
Local videography company Brighthook Media took a visual approach, sharing a video of cars entering and leaving Dundee, capturing the everyday movement and life of the city on Dundee Day.
The simple concept struck a chord, offering a cinematic nod to the city’s constant flow.
The celebrations also reached beyond Dundee.
Actress Vicki Michelle shared a Dundee Day message recalling fond memories from a tour in the city, alongside a nostalgic reference to Desperate Dan and The Dandy, rounding things off with plans to celebrate with some Dundee cake.
Dundee Day is unique in Scotland, as Dundee is the only city with a specific date marking the granting of its city status. In recent years, the day has grown in profile and was added to Days of the Year in 2024, helping cement January 26 as an annual celebration of Dundee’s history, culture and achievements.
