Shackleton’s Endurance wreck brought to life in Dundee with groundbreaking 3D model
- Andrew Batchelor
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A remarkable new exhibition at Discovery Point is giving visitors the chance to see one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks like never before.
Shackleton’s Endurance, lost beneath Antarctic ice for more than a century, has been recreated in extraordinary detail through a pioneering 3D model now on display in Dundee.
The model, unveiled on 30 April 2026, has been created using cutting-edge technology and is widely regarded as one of the most accurate physical recreations of a deep-ocean heritage site ever produced.
It forms part of a collaboration between the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and Dundee Heritage Trust, bringing the first public showcase of the model in Scotland.
Visitors to Discovery Point, the home of RRS Discovery, can explore the wreck up close for the first time, with details visible down to the grain of the timbers and even the ship’s helm.
The display will run until November 2026, with entry included as part of a standard ticket.
The unveiling was followed by a sold-out talk from leading maritime archaeologist Mensun Bound, who led the expedition that rediscovered the Endurance wreck in 2022.
During the event, he described Dundee as the “home of the ice ships” and shared vivid stories from Antarctica, including the moment the wreck was finally found more than 3,000 metres below the surface of the Weddell Sea.
Because the wreck is protected under international agreements, it cannot be disturbed. Instead, the discovery team used advanced, non-invasive techniques to capture more than 25,000 high-resolution images, alongside laser and sonar data.
This information was then used to create a scientifically precise digital twin, which has been transformed into the physical model now on display.
Produced at a scale of 1:29.3 using specialised materials, the model took around 350 hours to complete. It offers a rare opportunity for the public to connect with a site that remains one of the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth.
The exhibition also ties into Dundee’s deep maritime heritage. The model is displayed alongside Shackleton’s Hope Cross, near RRS Discovery, the ship that first carried him to Antarctica.
A major conservation project is currently underway to preserve the historic vessel for future generations.
Elena Lewendon of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust said the model brings exploration and technology together in a powerful way, turning millions of data points into something people can physically experience.
Emma Halford-Forbes of Dundee Heritage Trust added that the display helps weave the story of Endurance into Shackleton’s wider legacy, highlighting his lasting impact on exploration and leadership.
