The 2012 ship that was named after the RRS Discovery is coming back to Dundee this September
- Andrew Batchelor
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
In a momentous announcement marking a century of scientific exploration, it has been confirmed that the 2012 RRS Discovery will return to Dundee this September, more than a decade after its last visit in 2023.
The news comes as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the RRS designation being granted to the original 1901 Dundee-built Discovery.
The 2012 RRS Discovery, a state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel operated by the National Oceanography Centre, is the modern namesake of the historic ship permanently berthed in Dundee.
Fittingly, its return this year not only reconnects past and present, but also honours the enduring legacy of British polar and oceanic research.
During its last visit in 2023, Dundee Culture had the unique opportunity to step aboard and explore the vessel — a rare chance to witness cutting-edge marine science up close, and a proud moment for the city whose shipbuilding past gave birth to the original Discovery.
Tickets for this year’s visit will be released later this summer, and interest is expected to be high following the sold-out visit in 2023, when over 200 visitors toured the vessel.
To be the first to know when bookings open, the public is encouraged to sign up to the Dundee Heritage Trust and National Oceanography Centre newsletters:
This year also marks 100 years since the original Discovery was formally designated RRS (Royal Research Ship) — a status it received on 13 June 1925 following a refit to carry out international oceanographic studies.
The milestone was originally commemorated with a special luncheon, and this centenary is now being celebrated with a series of stories, exhibitions and events highlighting Discovery’s voyages and research.
Its maiden voyage as RRS Discovery took the ship back to the Southern Oceans to study whale stocks, migration patterns, and help develop a scientific foundation for whaling regulations — pioneering work that laid the groundwork for future marine conservation.
The return of the modern RRS Discovery to Dundee this year is not only a celebration of exploration and innovation but a powerful reminder of the city’s enduring contribution to global science.
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