Mills Observatory has officially turned 90
- Andrew Batchelor
- 19 hours ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Dundee’s iconic Mills Observatory has officially turned 90, celebrating nearly a century of inspiring generations to look up at the stars.
The observatory, which first opened its doors on 28 October 1935, marked the milestone with a special evening of stargazing, talks, and reflection on its remarkable journey.
A packed audience gathered at the observatory on Balgay Hill for the celebrations, with the event featuring a talk from Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, Professor Catherine Heymans.
The night was made even more memorable by clear skies, offering a perfect view of the Moon through the observatory’s historic telescope.
Staff and volunteers reflected on the observatory’s evolution over the years, with Mills Observatory continuing to attract thousands of visitors annually.
In a statement shared during the event, Mills Observatory said: “Today we’re celebrating 90 years of stargazing at Mills Observatory! Mills opened its doors on 28 October 1935 and has spent the last 90 years exploring the stars with visitors young and old.
We’ve been particularly thrilled by the support shown by astronomy fans all over Dundee and beyond this past year, aided by our fantastic team and partners across the city.”
The 90th anniversary comes shortly after the site was recognised in the UK Parliament through an Early Day Motion tabled by Dundee Central MP Chris Law, highlighting its historic importance as the first purpose-built public astronomical observatory in the UK.
As one of Dundee’s most treasured landmarks, Mills Observatory continues to play a key role in education, outreach, and community engagement, bridging science with the wonder of the night sky.
The evening’s atmosphere was one of pride and excitement for the observatory’s future, as it looks ahead to the next chapter in its journey
Updates
21:00
The celebrations have come to a close for the evening. Thank you for following today’s live coverage of the observatory.
19:36
‘Mills is allowing a whole new generation to discover Scotland’s first purpose built public observatory’
STV News featured Mills Observatory tonight after crew came to film this morning. Pupils from Ancrum Road Primary School visited the observatory on a school trip to meet Catherine Heymans and ask amazing questions!
19:31
Astronomer Royal Catherine Heymans just took to the stage. A brilliant talk again reiterating the importance of the observatory and its role in science and astronomy.
19:22
Anna Day, Head of Cultural Services at Leisure and Culture Dundee has thanked staff and partners who have helped Mills reach its 90th anniversary in a crowded planetarium room at the observatory.
19:06
Packed out crowds in the foyer
Crowds have started to gather in the foyer, we’re away to head into the planetarium room to kick off the celebrations. Car park flooded with cars too which is absolutely great to see.
19:00
Celebrations are now underway at the observatory!
16:00
Closing coverage for now as I am heading up to the observatory to celebrate tonight! Will be back covering the celebrations up at the top of Balgay Hill this evening!
15:36
'We're feeling the love today' - Mills Observatory on their 90th birthday wishes
"Thanks for all your lovely comments and to Dundee Culture for posting, we're feeling the love today. Hope to see you all soon!"
14:43
Who knew a 2001 smash hit and a public observatory could have something in common?
Comment by Andrew Batchelor
Looking back at the 2024/25 season, one of the most unexpected yet brilliant comparisons I made for Mills Observatory was with Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 classic “Murder on the Dancefloor.” At first glance, the two couldn’t be more different – one’s a disco-pop anthem, the other’s a historic observatory perched above Dundee – but both share a fascinating modern twist: they’ve had huge resurgences thanks to the power of social media.
I love the song. It’s timeless, effortlessly cool, and in 2023 it came roaring back into the spotlight thanks to its unforgettable appearance in the film Saltburn. The scene, featuring Barry Keoghan’s now-iconic final dance through the mansion to “Murder on the Dancefloor,” went viral across TikTok, reigniting global love for the track and even sending it soaring back up the charts more than 20 years after its original release.
Mills Observatory experienced something similar in 2024 and 2025. Once a quiet, historic Dundee landmark known mainly to astronomy fans, it found new life and fresh audiences through social media. Thanks to the creative content and storytelling shared online, Mills suddenly became a must-visit spot – not just for stargazers, but for locals and visitors alike looking to experience something authentic, educational, and beautifully Dundee.
Mills Observatory had its own version of that Saltburn moment. After years of quiet seasons, 2024-25 saw Dundee’s hilltop observatory rocket back into local relevance. Thanks to a wave of new content, storytelling, and community buzz on social media, Mills wasn’t just a place for telescopes anymore – it became the place to visit. People weren’t just looking up at the stars; they were climbing up Balgay Hill to see what made this historic landmark so special again.
And it’s not the only time a classic’s found new life thanks to pop culture. Just like Sophie, Kate Bush experienced a huge revival when her 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” featured in Stranger Things. The haunting track, perfectly woven into the show’s emotional core, took off on streaming platforms almost four decades later, reaching new fans who weren’t even alive when it first charted.
And honestly – that one might be an even better fit for Mills. After all, “Running Up That Hill” feels oddly poetic when you think about running up Balgay Hill to reach the observatory. It’s an anthem of perseverance and rediscovery – a far cry from the “demise and sabotage” themes of Murder on the Dancefloor, which, let’s be honest, Mills could have easily faced the former had it not found its own comeback story.
So while Kate Bush ran up that hill and Sophie danced through Saltburn, Dundee climbed right alongside them. The story of Mills Observatory proves that even the quietest places can return to the spotlight – you just need the right song, the right story, and the right spark to make it shine again.
14:28
Eclipse event in 1999 saw thousands turn up
On 11 August 1999, thousands of Dundonians flocked to Balgay Hill and the observatory grounds to witness the last total solar eclipse of the millennium. Special viewing equipment was set up so visitors could safely watch the rare event as day briefly turned to twilight – an unforgettable moment in Mills Observatory’s modern history
14:03
Apollo moon landings
In July 1969, Mills Observatory drew record crowds as Dundonians gathered to watch coverage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. With telescopes pointed skyward and excitement in the air, visitors followed humanity’s first steps on the Moon – a moment that perfectly captured the observatory’s spirit of curiosity and wonder.
13:26
The opening of Mills Observatory
The observatory officially opened on 28 October 1935, perched atop Balgay Hill with panoramic views over the River Tay. Designed by city architect James MacLellan Brown, the building quickly became a local landmark, offering Dundonians a new way to explore the night sky.
The formal opening of Mills Observatory took place when Professor Ralph Sampson, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, ceremonially handed the keys of the Observatory to the Dundee Town Council. The building then welcomed its first invited guests, who were led onto the balcony to view the panoramic setting of Balgay Hill and the River Tay, before proceeding into the dome room to inspect the brand-new Grubb Parsons-built 18-inch reflecting telescope.
However, a day after opening, it suddenly closed due to very poor weather conditions, with rain and fog causing it to shut. Visitors went up to the summit of the hill thinking the observatory was open when it wasn't - leaving visitors disappointed. This would be later reported on in The Courier.
13:07
What was the vision behind Mills Observatory?
Mills Observatory was the brainchild of John Mills, a Dundee linen manufacturer and keen amateur astronomer. Before his death in 1889, Mills left funds in his will for the creation of a public observatory so that local people could share in his passion for the stars. His vision was realised in 1935 – decades later – when the observatory opened its doors to the public.
12:42
12:08
Gillian Eilidh O'Mara's message for the observatory
11:34
Oh for Print's Sake sends birthday message
10:40
Anniversary officially kicks off 2025/26 season
It’s not just about today – Mills Observatory’s 90th anniversary marks the start of a full season of celebrations running through to March next year.
Expect a packed programme of events, activities, and stories that will continue to honour Dundee’s window to the universe well into 2026.
10:13
’Helping save Mills Observatory is my proudest Dundee Culture achievement’
Comment by Andrew Batchelor
When Mills Observatory was threatened with closure, I knew I had to act, this was after Dundee Culture followers and visitors called on more promotion from the council.
The last time I visited Mills before working with the team was when I was around four years old. So that was roughly around 2003, so I didn’t actually return to the observatory until 21 years later.
I do vaguely remember it, I remember accidentally knocking the Cooke refractor telescope off tangent when it was positioned towards Saturn - and my mum panicked but the astronomer managed to reposition it very quickly - it was a hilarious memory.
It’s incredible to be part of this journey and working with, and helping save Mills Observatory is my proudest Dundee Culture achievement.
I think it is important to promote the observatory as much as possible, because the more we shout about it, the more chance that visitors will come.
The fact that people didn’t even know it existed and that folk who did know visited for the first time in 20–50 years is absolutely incredible.
Funding is something this building needs right now and I hope the observatory can receive grants to continue operating past 2029. That is what my next focus is, to keep it operating towards its 100th anniversary in 2035 and beyond.
Partnerships, including private funding is something that needs to be considered for the future of the observatory.
10:06
Mills is the youngest of The 1935 Club
Mills Observatory is only one of three major observatories that opened in 1935. It opened the same year as Los Angeles’ iconic Griffith Observatory and Richmond Hill’s David Dunlap Observatory, the latter once being owned by Toronto City Council. Both of them opened in May whilst Mills opened in October.
10:05
History of Mills ‘is utterly fascinating’
One of the biggest revelations that many find out about Mills is the fact that it wasn’t supposed to be built on Balgay Hill, it was supposed to be built on the Dundee Law, but because of the Great War, the Law was reserved for a war memorial.
Mills was faced with a lot of setbacks, and was almost scrapped altogether. It was only because of the Great Depression that the observatory project was revived.
It’s a building that has fought for survival since day one and reaching 90 years is a huge milestone considering the difficulties it has faced over its lifetime.
10:03
Catherine Heymans event was a great spotlight on the observatory’s achievements
Scotland’s Astronomer Royal Catherine Heymans kicked off celebrations for the observatory last night with an exciting talk.
The Astronomer Royal shared with the audience the history of the observatory and also shared messages from astronomers who Mills had an impact on.
09:46
A milestone that wasn’t thinkable this time last year
Mills turning 90 was something that even this time last year felt like a big ask. It was only in December when the observatory was saved from closure. So it’s not even been a year.
09:32
Mills Observatory recognised in both national parliaments
Mills Observatory has received recognition in both the Scottish and UK Parliaments to mark its 90th anniversary.
Michael Marra submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament, while Chris Law submitted an Early Day Motion to the UK Parliament.
Michael Marra said:
“That the Parliament marks 90 years since Mills Observatory in Dundee first opened its doors in 1935; notes that entry is free for all visitors, allowing amateur and professional astronomers alike to create lasting memories; understands that, in 2024, the facility had a record-breaking season, welcoming 14,000 visitors and contributing to Dundee’s ever-expanding tourism sector; notes that Mills Observatory is the UK’s first purpose-built public observatory; recognises that the observatory is unusual in that its dome is made from papier-mâché and that it is the only observatory open in the whole of the UK to boast this feature, and wishes Mills Observatory many more years of success providing educational experiences to the city and to visitors alike as Dundee’s gateway to the stars.”
Chris Law said:
“That this House congratulates Dundee’s Mills Observatory on the occasion of its 90th birthday; recognises that the Mills Observatory was the first purpose-built public astronomical observatory in the UK when it opened in 1935; further recognises that the observatory has had a 120% increase in visitors over the last year ahead of their 90th birthday; thanks the staff and volunteers at the Mills Observatory and Leisure and Culture Dundee for their hard work and dedication in running the observatory; and wishes them all the best ahead of their birthday celebrations at the end of October.”
09:00
Happy birthday Mills!
Good morning Dundee! Today we’re celebrating 90 years of an ICON! On 28 October 1935, our city was gifted this beautiful building perched atop Balgay Hill.
Mills Observatory opened its doors to the public on this day with one simple goal - to bring Dundonians that little bit closer to the stars - and thanks to an incredible team of astronomers, amateur astronomers, volunteers, staff, and an enthusiastic crowd, it has done just that for 90 amazing years!
While Dundee is home to so many fantastic attractions, Mills has often been one of the city’s hidden gems - but that’s beginning to change, and it’s wonderful to see this special place getting the recognition it deserves.
Dundee Culture will be celebrating throughout the day on socials, stories and the website, marking this milestone that Mills came so close to missing - making today’s anniversary feel even more meaningful.
We love you Mills - a very happy 90th birthday!
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