Dundee has just been hailed as a “cultural mecca” in a major new feature

Picture: Craig Doogan

Dundee has been hailed as a “cultural mecca” in a brand new feature published by The National, cementing its reputation as one of the most vibrant creative cities in Scotland.

The piece, written by Keira Brown, reflects on how Dundee has shaken off years of negative headlines to emerge as a hub of design, art, and collaboration, attracting attention on both a national and international scale.

The article opens with a nod to Dundee musician Michael Marra, who once described the city as “the perfect place to look at the rest of the world.”

That sentiment, once a quiet observation, now rings louder as Dundee continues to grow its cultural identity through festivals, galleries, theatres, and partnerships.

For a city often cast in the shadows of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the recognition carries weight.

In recent years, Dundee has hosted major events such as the Dundee Design Festival and the city’s first Book Festival.

The McManus and V&A Dundee are currently staging acclaimed exhibitions including Border Crossings and Thread Memory, while major cultural moments are on the horizon with the Scottish Album of the Year Awards arriving at Caird Hall this November.

These developments are underpinned by Dundee’s designation as the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design, secured in 2014, and the arrival of the V&A museum in 2018, which has already drawn over 1.7 million visitors.

Leaders in the city’s cultural sector highlight that collaboration has been the key to success. From grassroots artists using spaces in the Keiller Centre to international projects like Art Night, Dundee has built a model of connectivity that allows organisations big and small to thrive together.

“Dundee has successfully built its identity around design, creativity and culture,” noted UNESCO’s Lizzie Day, praising the collaborative spirit that has made the city stand out across the UK and beyond.

The article also points to the unique energy of Dundee’s cultural scene.

Anna Day of Leisure & Culture Dundee describes it as a “buzz you don’t get elsewhere,” while leaders from V&A Dundee and The McManus echoed the importance of partnerships in shaping the city’s creative growth.

This sense of unity has not only attracted global attention but also brought national institutions such as Jupiter Artland and the Southbank Centre into partnership with the city.

Looking ahead, Dundee is preparing for an even busier cultural calendar. Installations such as Lindsey Mendick’s Growing Pains, the return of the Dundee Fringe, and the expansion of the Book Festival in 2026 all reflect a city that is not standing still.

Longer-term projects, including the Eden Project Dundee, promise to further embed culture and sustainability into the fabric of the city’s future.

The National’s description of Dundee as a “cultural mecca” will be welcomed by many in the city who have worked tirelessly to build its reputation.

With new venues like LIVEHOUSE and CANVAS opening, alongside thriving creative festivals and international collaborations, Dundee is proving that it is more than worthy of the title.

Far from being an underdog, the city is writing a bold new chapter for itself as one of Scotland’s most dynamic cultural centres.